Chaplaincy Program Director - SCI Laurel Highlands

Full Job Description

Are you a compassionate leader called to provide spiritual support and guidance within a unique and meaningful environment?

The Department of Corrections (DOC) has a fulfilling opportunity to use your pastoral experience to take your career to the next level!

We are excited to welcome a highly motivated Chaplaincy Program Director to lead our religious programs at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Laurel Highlands.

Through your oversight, you will help us provide inmates of varying faiths with a multitude of religious ceremonies and practices.

If you are looking to bring comfort and impactful direction to others, this may be the position for you!

Requirements

As the Chaplaincy Program Director, you will direct and coordinate a comprehensive religious services program for those who are incarcerated at SCI Laurel Highlands.

Work will involve evaluating and planning for chaplaincy program needs and determining how best to meet those needs through existing staff, contracted services, or external volunteer resources.

You will direct the development and implementation of a variety of religious services and instructional classes, in addition to developing and implementing policies and procedures to promote the spiritual well-being of individuals of all faiths or no faith.

While providing oversight for services and activities you will also asses overall program effectiveness.

Additional duties include integrating contracted religious services with staff and volunteers and monitoring them for adherence to contract terms.

Supervision is exercised over Chaplains and contracted staff.

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• This position operates 37.5 hours/week. Shift to be determined at 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:

• All candidates are required, at the time of application, to provide documentation from an officially sanctioned faith group dated within one year of the application date stating they are officially sanctioned or authorized to conduct worship/sacred services, and specifying which sacraments, rites, ceremonies, or rituals they are authorized to perform as a religious leader.
• All employees in the Department of Corrections must complete the Correctional Chaplains Training Course within six months of hire.
• All employees in the Department of Corrections must maintain their 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 Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
• 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.