Jail Chaplain & Ministry Coordinator

Position Summary:

POSITION SUMMARY

• The Jail Chaplain & Ministry Coordinator leads ABCCM's jail ministry by coordinating volunteer-led ministry services and serves as a Chaplain at the detention facility, providing spiritual encouragement and support, and fostering relationships with correctional facility staff and community partners. This position promotes consistent, respectful, and mission-centered ministry while ensuring compliance with facility requirements and organizational policies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Ministry Coordination & Service Delivery

• Provide chaplaincy services, which include listening, death notifications, birth notifications, grief counseling, and referral to an appropriate priest, rabbi, or religious leader as requested by the inmate and approved by Sheriff’s staff to meet the faith needs of the inmate
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee jail ministry activities, Bible studies, and related support programs.
• Provide spiritual encouragement, prayer, and ministry support to incarcerated individuals and Jail staff as appropriate.
• Ensure ministry activities are conducted in accordance with correctional facility requirements and ABCCM's mission and values.

Volunteer Recruitment & Support

• Recruit, train, schedule, and support volunteers participating in jail ministry.
• Provide guidance, orientation, and ongoing communication to ensure effective and safe ministry participation.
• Develop and strengthen volunteer and church participation. Maintain regular contact with volunteers and build community among them through gatherings, debriefs, and recognition.

Facility & Community Partnerships

• Maintain positive working relationships with correctional facility staff and administration.
• Coordinate facility access, scheduling, security requirements, and volunteer compliance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between ABCCM, correctional facilities, churches, and community partners, including representatives of faith communities other than mainline Protestant and Catholic
• Build working relationships with the facility's medical, mental health, and recovery staff to coordinate care and make appropriate referrals.

Program Administration & Compliance

• Maintain records of ministry activities, volunteer participation, and program engagement.
• Prepare reports and program updates as requested.
• Ensure compliance with facility regulations, organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, and professional boundaries.

Team Collaboration & Ministry Support

• Collaborate with ABCCM leadership, churches, volunteers, correctional staff, and community partners to strengthen ministry efforts.
• Participate in meetings, training activities, ministry initiatives, and organizational events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUCCESS FACTORS

• Strong Christian leadership and servant-heart approach to ministry. Respects and supports the religious freedom of detainees of all faiths or none.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills. Understanding of the psychological, social, and spiritual effects of incarceration: separation from family and work, uncertainty about court outcomes, and the strain on detention staff working long shifts and mandatory overtime.
• Ability to recruit, equip, and encourage volunteers.
• Strong organizational and administrative abilities.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and emotional maturity.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration. Shares ownership of the ministry with volunteers and partner congregations; leads with grace and gratitude rather than as the sole face of the ministry.
• Discretion and sensitivity to the law enforcement and political environment; able to earn and keep the trust of Sheriff's Office leadership.
• Commitment to ABCCM's mission, values, and ministry philosophy.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in ministry, chaplaincy, pastoral care, counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with incarcerated individuals, justice involved populations, or other vulnerable populations preferred.
• Experience recruiting, training, or coordinating volunteers preferred.
• Ability to pass all required background checks and comply with correctional facility security requirements.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

Physical / Mental Demands:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work requires regular travel to correctional facilities, participation in ministry activities, operation of a motor vehicle, and use of standard office equipment. The position involves walking, standing, and working within secure correctional environments while complying with all applicable safety and security protocols.

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to manage multiple ministry activities, volunteer coordination responsibilities, facility requirements, and administrative tasks simultaneously. Requires effective communication, sound judgment, emotional resilience, and strong organizational skills. Must maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and composure while ministering in correctional environments and working with individuals facing complex personal and life challenges.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

• ABCCM is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

ADA STATEMENT

• ABCCM is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process or subsequent employment, please email HR@ABCCM.org.