Chaplain I-NC Dept. of Adult Correction
Chaplain I
Central Prison, Raleigh, NC
North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
Description of Work
Are you an individual who wants to make a difference in the lives of people needing faith-based support who are currently incarcerated and working towards rehabilitation and/or re-entry to the community? If so, this opportunity may be the ideal fit for you.
This position is located at Central Prison in Raleigh, NC, and reports to the Chaplain II.
Work in this position involves planning, conducting, coordinating or facilitating programs for inter-faith religious services in psychiatric hospitals, developmental disabilities centers, or correctional facilities. The programs may include: worship services, faith group studies, bible studies, individual or group pastoral/ spiritual care or counseling. Employees assess patients/inmates upon admission or transfer to determine if there are pastoral/spiritual care needs. Employees may supervise religious/spiritual services provided by volunteers and inmate faith helpers as well as recruit and coordinate religious/spiritual volunteers and services on a continual basis. Employees may visit patients in community hospitals; lead or arrange approved religious rites and sacraments such as blots, communion, equinox, baptism, or holy days. Chaplains may coordinate pastoral volunteers.
NOTE: Applicant must submit a completed state application. Place all ministerial information on the application for credit {ordination date, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Masters of Divinity Degree}. If the information is NOT listed on the state application, it will not be considered.
This is a Repost. Previous applicants will need to re-apply.
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits.
**Pre-Interview Criteria Step – Required Documents**
All applicants MUST submit the following documents at the time of application.
- A copy of your Master of Divinity degree or equivalent Master’s Degree / or transcript
- A copy of your Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Certificates/ or CPE transcript
- A copy of your Ordination Certificate, or equivalent.
- A current Letter of Good Standing from endorsing faith group/ ecclesiastical endorsement
- A current Resume
Other Considerations
To establish an equivalency to the one-year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), candidates must complete Level One, Unit One of CPE along with one year of supervised ministerial experience or have two years of professional prison chaplaincy experience.
Note to Current State Employees
State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY result.
As a chaplain, you will provide faith-based support to offenders who follow a variety of religious beliefs and may be at different custody levels, depending on the facility or institution.
To better understand the custody levels at the Department of Adult Correction, please refer to the descriptions below:
- Minimum Custody Level: Offenders require minimal oversight and are allowed to enter and exit their cells during specific times.
- Medium Custody Level: Offenders require more supervision than those in Minimum Custody but less than those in Close Custody.
- Close Custody Level: Offenders are under strict supervision, with their movement within the facility closely controlled.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Effective July 1, 2025, candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed from the class specification. The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement should be used as management preferences and be used to screen for the most qualified pool of applicants.
Management Preference
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of clinical pastoral/spiritual care and the role of the chaplain in a correctional/ institutional setting.
- Proven ability to plan, organize, and develop a comprehensive pastoral/spiritual care program.
- Proven experience establishing rapport with patients/residents/offenders/congregants and their families.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.
Master of Divinity degree from a school of theology or seminary accredited by The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and one year of residency in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or equivalent professional chaplaincy experience and Ordination or membership in a recognized religious governed body;
OR
Master’s degree in related field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of residency in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or equivalent professional chaplaincy/clergy experience and Ordination or membership in a recognized religious governed body
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience
To learn more and apply, click here.
If you’d like to advertise a job opening or CPE residency, contact Michael Skaggs, Director of Programs, at info@chaplaincyinnovation.org. Openings are publicized on a per-week basis across social media, here on the Lab’s website, and the Lab’s bi-weekly newsletter. CPE residencies are publicized at a discounted rate.