Chaplain - SCI Coal Township

Overview

THE POSITION Are you a faith-driven leader who believes in the transformative power of choice and the potential for personal renewal? The Chaplain position with the Department of Corrections offers a meaningful opportunity to support individuals during challenging moments in their lives. This role allows you to bring comfort, guidance, and understanding to people of many different backgrounds. You will help create a positive and respectful environment within the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Coal Township.

The work you do will help change lives and bring a meaningful opportunity to support positive change.

This position supports a wide range of religious and spiritual services for inmates of all faiths and no faith at SCI Coal Township. The work helps ensure that every individual has access to guidance, support, and meaningful opportunities for reflection. As a Chaplain, you will perform the following duties:

• Faith Services:
  Lead religious gatherings and provide appropriate rites and ceremonies for diverse faith traditions
• Spiritual Guidance:
  Offer counseling, support, and structured discussions for inmates with varying emotional and spiritual needs
• Community Representation:
  Participate in committees, assess accommodation requests, and promote understanding of religious programs
• Volunteer Support:
  Assist with recruiting, training, and guiding volunteers who help deliver religious services
• Program Documentation:
  Maintain records, prepare reports, and respond to information requests in a timely manner

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch
• 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:
  Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $59,345.00 (before taxes)
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of professional pastoral experience and a bachelor’s degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of professional pastoral experience

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:

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

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

• Pennsylvania law provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more, go to the PA employment page
• Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (for 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…