CHAPLAIN I

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is seeking a dedicated professional chaplain who is ready to engage and inspire the community served within IDOC facilities. As a Chaplain I you will oversee the holistic spiritual development and full-spectrum religious support of all faiths, traditions, and denominations represented within the facility you serve. This position is an excellent fit for any professional chaplain who is ready to directly serve those in need. We are seeking a chaplain with a commitment to integrity, equity, and the spiritual growth of all people regardless of tradition or religious affiliation. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides religious services for all faiths.
• Prepares reports and correspondence pertaining to chaplaincy area.
• Conducts individual and group counseling sessions for individuals in custody.
• Serves as Assistant Employee Assistant Program Coordinator and Backup Volunteer Services Coordinator.
• Fills outside speaking engagements.
• Prepares and conducts formal religious services, sacramental rites, and weekly worship services.
• Meets with Assistant Warden of Programs and the Manager of Chaplain Services weekly to review chaplaincy activities.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years college, supplemented by completion of three (3) years of a prescribed course of study in a recognized and accredited theological seminary with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree.
• Requires ordination, ecclesiastical endorsement, or licensing by a recognized communion and is duly authorized by appropriate authority of this denomination.
• Requires one (1) year of previous pastoral care experience in a hospital, healthcare, institutional, or local ministry setting.
• Requires one (1) or more units of accredited clinical pastoral education.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers at least one (1) year professional experience working with faith and/or religious traditions (not denominations) other than their own.
• Prefers at least one (1) year professional experience working with and/or on an interdisciplinary care team for behavioral health and/or psychiatric health and/or social services.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience in an institutional chaplaincy setting, not only a congregational setting (i.e. military, hospital, academic, professional chaplaincy).
• Prefers at least one (1) year of professional experience conducting individual and/or group counseling sessions.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience preparing and conducts formal religious services, sacramental rites, and/or workshop services.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience planning a weekly schedule of chapel activities.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
• Applicants are required to abide by all vaccine and/or other medical standards as set out by the employer.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion. This commitment is at the forefront of our operations, hiring, policies and procedures, and training. We recognize the benefit of workplace empowerment, the importance of diversity and fully support an environment where ALL employees are treated fairly, respectfully, and have equal access to opportunities and resources necessary to thrive and contribute to the agency’s success. IDOC genuinely values the differences of individuals in our custody and is committed to ensuring a healthy living environment where they feel valued, respected, and included.
Through our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we shall establish and uphold agency policies and practices conducive to eliminating all forms of exclusion including, but not limited to, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender, and religious oppression.
The IDOC team works to serve justice in Illinois and increase public safety by promoting positive change in behavior of individuals in custody, operating successful reentry programs, and reducing victimization.
Employees enjoy excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement plan and deferred compensation; state holidays and other benefit time off; and pre-tax benefit programs. The department also offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities.
The Illinois Department of Corrections is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.