Job Specification
Position Title:
Coordinator Chaplaincy Services (Proficient in English and French)
Job Code:
C50584 - 16 Chaplain (COR)
Purpose of Position :
To ensure the provision of spiritual and religious services to offenders, and/or staff and their families and to develop and supervise the ministry of community faith groups in the provision of spiritual and religious care within the institution and to offenders as they re-enter the community.
Duties / Responsibilities :
In a large detention centre which services a bilingual area and which includes maximum and minimum security accommodation for 260 adult male offenders, 16 female offenders, 24 young offenders and 16 offenders classified to the Francophone Treatment Unit, the incumbent is responsible for:
1) Managing, developing, maintaining and delivering a comprehensive spiritual and religious care service (3 days per week Adult, 2 days per week Young Offender) to residents, their families and staff.
2) Co-ordinating and directing the activities of all denomination and faith groups within the institution.
3) Guiding the development and sustaining of a worshipping community within the institution.
4) Developing and strengthening relationships with community faith groups as part of the institution's thrust toward community-based support for released clients.
5) Representing chaplaincy on management committees and raises spiritual and religious concerns and issues occurring within a multidisciplinary staff setting.
6) Accepting delegated responsibility for promoting and monitoring issues relating to the value system that maximizes humanization in the care of people.
7) Supervising the activities of one Chaplain RPT, field placement and/or summer chaplains, and may conduct, with the approval of the institution, supervised Pastoral Education if certified by C.A.P.E.
8) Forecasting requirements, and preparing and effectively administrating approved budget.
Knowledge :
The work requires endorsement from a recognized Faith Group, knowledge of and experience in the delivery of spiritual and religious care, theological training at the postgraduate level in order to provide spiritual and religious care to diverse population, as well as, liaise with the local Faith Groups and the immediate catchment area; an extensive understanding of the operational structure of their institution and strong administrative and interpersonal skills in order to develop and implement a strong spiritual and religious care program in their institution that will embrace the needs of all people.
Skills :
Judgement is required in formulating policies and in co-ordinating the provision of a spiritual and religious care programme taking into consideration both the needs of the institution and the diverse concerns of the faith community and their families. Judgement is exercised in directing broad issues to the attention of senior institutional administrators. The incumbent also requires judgement in supervising one duty chaplain, as well as volunteer clergy and lay people from numerous faith groups. The incumbent has access to the Regional Co-ordinator, Chaplaincy Services for guidance but there are few formal guidelines and controls.
Freedom of Action :
Programmes: The incumbent is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of a spiritual and religious care programme to address the needs of an average of 292 offenders. The incumbent also develops spiritual and religious training programmes for community faith groups.
Personnel: The incumbent directly supervises 1 Duty Chaplain RPT and numerous faith group visitors and volunteers.
Financial: Forecasts and administers the departmental budget.
Impact of Errors: Errors in interpreting sensitive issues could result in conflict between the faith community and the institution/government. Errors in programme design or delivery could result in poor quality of service to offenders and/or staff and their families.
Internal Contacts: Regular contacts with the senior administration of the institution regarding administrative matters and with the Regional Co-ordinator of Chaplaincy Services regarding the delivery of spiritual and religious care.
External Contacts: Regular contact with own faith group and senior leaders of all Faith Groups for information and interpretation of government policies and objectives as they relate to the social and spiritual issues. Contact with other social agencies that would enhance the delivery of spiritual and religious care to ministry clients. Contact with the Regional Multi-faith Committee and with Chaplains of other institutions.