Jail Chaplain

Overview

The Jail Chaplain provides spiritual, emotional, and religious support to inmates and staff in the Fairfield County Jail, in compliance with OAC Chapter 5120:1-8, the Sheriff’s Office Policies and Jail SOP Manual. The Chaplain functions as a religious professional, offering services, counseling, guidance, and coordinating religious programming, without being required to take on non‑religious roles outside this spiritual mission.

• Part‑time position working inside the correctional facility.
• Reports to the Jail Administrator (or designee).
• Subject to safety and security rules of the facility (e.g., searches, movement restrictions).
• May need to be available for emergency or crisis pastoral support, possibly outside regular hours.

• Function as a religious professional, offering religious services, counseling, guidance, and coordinating religious programming.
• May need to go to housing units, segregation cells, etc.
• Required to submit regular reports to the Jail Administrator (or designee) on chaplaincy activities.
• Follow facility policies and OAC regulations in all religious programming.
• Participate in facility training and in service, especially on issues connecting spiritual care with mental health, suicide prevention, cultural diversity, etc.

• Provide proof of ordination, commissioning, or endorsement by a recognized religious institution or faith group.
• Provide documentation outlining experience in pastoral care, counseling, or similar ministry, preferably in a correctional or institutional setting.
• Have good interpersonal skills, demonstrate ongoing cultural sensitivity, and an ability to work with a diverse inmate population.
• Must pass background clearance as required under Sheriff’s Office Policy.
• Adhere to facility policies, including annual training requirements (e.g., in institutional chaplain policy and facility safety).