Religious Coordinator

Religious Services Coordinator

The Religious Services Coordinator plans, directs, and supervises all aspects of the religious program at a detention facility in accordance with the National Detention Standards 2025. This position ensures individuals have reasonable and equitable opportunities to practice their religious faiths while maintaining facility safety and security.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Plan, administer, and coordinate all religious programming in an organized and orderly manner
• Develop and maintain a schedule of worship services and religious instructional opportunities for all faith groups represented in the detainee population
• Ensure equal status for all religions without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
• Maintain accurate records of religious services, attendance, and pastoral care contacts
• Manage the religious services budget, supplies, and equipment
• Coordinate with facility administration on space allocation and scheduling for religious activities
• Provide pastoral care and individual counseling to detainees on ethical, moral, and spiritual matters
• Respond to crisis situations and provide spiritual support during emergencies
• Conduct or arrange religious rites, sacraments, and ordinances consistent with detainee faith traditions
• Visit detainees in Special Management Units and medical housing to ensure continued access to religious services compatible with security and medical requirements
• Recruit, screen, train, and supervise external clergy, contractors, and volunteers from faith traditions represented in the detainee population
• Maintain relationships with community religious organizations to expand available services
• Approve and orient volunteer religious service providers in accordance with facility security protocols
• Document all recruitment efforts for external religious providers
• Advise facility administration on religious dietary requirements and approve religious meal accommodations
• Review and approve requests for religious property, materials, and instructional items
• Ensure detainees have access to approved religious texts, items, and attire consistent with security requirements
• Advise on religious accommodation requests and practices
• Ensure program compliance with PBNDS 2011 standards and applicable federal law
• Prepare reports and documentation for ICE inspections and audits
• Participate in facility meetings and coordinate with security, medical, and administrative staff
• Stay current on religious accommodation law and detention standards

Required Education, Certifications, Licenses, and

Experience:

• Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate theological degree from an accredited institution, OR
• Bachelor's degree in theology, religious studies, or related field with five (5) years of professional chaplaincy experience
• Minimum three (3) years of experience providing religious services in a correctional, detention, military, or institutional setting
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse faith traditions and populations
• Experience supervising volunteers or staff preferred
• Ordination, commissioning, or endorsement by a recognized religious body
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units preferred
• Board certification through the Association of Professional Chaplains, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or equivalent organization preferred
• Comprehensive knowledge of world religions, faith practices, dietary laws, and religious calendars
• Ability to provide or coordinate services for Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, and other faith traditions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural and linguistic diversity
• Ability to maintain neutrality and provide equitable support across all faith groups
• Understanding of security requirements in a detention environment
• Proficiency in written documentation and record-keeping
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including individuals in crisis
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Must successfully complete a background investigation and obtain facility access
• M…