Native American - Chaplain

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction is recruiting for a part time Native American Chaplain position located at York Correctional Institution in Niantic, CT.   This is a 34 hours per week position;  1st Shift, Monday- Friday;   

Incumbents in this class must have been ordained/consecrated/commissioned within a recognized religious denomination and have the ongoing endorsement of the appropriate denominational authority. Candidates must have knowledge of pastoral ministry and ability to perform requirements of formal religious services. Candidates in this classification must be willing to travel and must have proper credentials to conduct Native American Sweat Lodge and Prayer Circles for large inmate populations.  Candidate must have tribal affiliation/recognition and be a member of, or affiliated with, a recognized tribe.  Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have been traditionally trained by an Elder, Spiritual Leader, or Medicine Person. Candidates must be a member of, or affiliated with, a recognized tribe. Candidates may be subject to transfer as necessary to meet agency needs as per union contract.  

Candidates selected for interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

• Documentation that you have completed all formal training recognized by the Native American Denomination

Please ensure that your application is complete.  You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.  Candidates who submit an untimely, incomplete or inaccurate application will not be considered for this employment opportunity.  

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Melissa Thompson at Melissa.Thompson@ct.gov or 860-692-6812.

In the Chaplaincy Department of a state hospital, correctional facility or agency, this class is accountable for ministering to the pastoral needs of the population and for conducting religious services.

Preaches and conducts religious services in a state facility; administers rites and sacraments; prepares and preaches sermons; confers with visiting clergy; consults with facility staff on religious problems; interprets Chaplain function to other departments in facility; under appropriate clinical supervision, counsels clients and their families; participates in team meetings; keeps records and writes reports; assists in organizing and conducting seminars for community clergy; participates in various in-house educational programs; may speak to lay and professional groups; may train and conduct choir; may serve on a variety of committees; may participate in Employee Assistance Program; may counsel staff and their families; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of pastoral ministry and ability to perform requirements of formal religious services; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.

1. Graduation from an accredited three (3) year post graduate theological seminary OR the equivalent of a Master of Divinity degree.
2. One (1) year of pastoral experience or equivalent experience within a recognized religious denomination.

1. Completion of formal religious training recognized by a denomination which included completion of an undergraduate four (4) year degree or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
   
2. Completion of all formal religious training required by a recognized religious denomination necessary to perform the pastoral role may be substituted for the Master's level training.

Priority will be given to applicants with Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) experience; experience working with urban and at-risk populations; familiarity with urban cultures; familiarity with other faith traditions; excellent communication and counseling skills; excellent organizational skills, and the ability to learn from others. 

1. Incumbents in this class must have been ordained or commissioned by a religious body and received endorsement by an acceptable recognized denominational authority for this position. Endorsement by the same endorsing authority must be ongoing and uninterrupted as a condition of employment.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients or inmates; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from assaultive/abusive clients or inmates; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.