Chaplaincy Program Director - SCI Laurel Highlands

Full Job Description

Are you interested in building a rewarding career where your leadership truly matters?

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC), State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Laurel Highlands is seeking a highly motivated Chaplaincy Program Director to help guide our inmates of varying faiths.

In this role, you will orchestrate all religious services and support programs, collaborating closely with staff and volunteers to ensure the facility remains a place of spiritual growth and stability.

If you are looking to bring comfort and guidance to others, this is a great opportunity for you!

Requirements

As a Chaplaincy Program Director, you will be responsible for directing and coordinating a comprehensive chaplaincy program at SCI-Laurel Highlands.

Duties include conducting worship services, special and ecumenical services, visitation, and consultation with inmates.

You will also be responsible for conducting religiously oriented classes and providing religious or pastoral counseling services.

In addition, a crucial aspect of your role will be integrating chaplaincy services to best meet the needs of inmates and the facility.

Your duties will involve evaluating the adequacy of chaplaincy services and ensuring that they are integrated into the overall system of care, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Furthermore, you will oversee the facility's clergy and provide guidance to ensure that all chaplaincy service providers are fulfilling their duties in accordance with contract provisions.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours to be determined at the time of hire.
• This position is eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 or 55.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Chaplain (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional pastoral experience that includes one year in an institutional or specialized setting and a bachelor’s degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of professional pastoral experience in an institutional or specialized setting.

Special Requirements:

• At the time of application, you must provide documentation from an officially sanctioned faith group dated within one year of the application date stating you are officially sanctioned or authorized to conduct worship/sacred services, and specifying which sacraments, rites, ceremonies, or rituals you are authorized to perform as a religious leader.
• You must complete the Correctional Chaplains Training Course within six months of hire.
• You must maintain your credentials with an officially sanctioned faith group on an annual basis for the duration of employment.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of basic training in Elizabethtown, PA is required.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.