SUPERVISOR OF CHAPLAINCY SERVICES
Career Family: SUPERVISOR
Supervisor of Chaplaincy Services is an unclassified state title, filled by appointment and outside the tenure protections that cover the competitive ranks.
To be eligible you bring a bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. The FY2027 range lands between $79,844 and $117,228, and state payroll currently lists about 11 people in the title, most of them at Corrections.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
How to apply for this title →Who employs this title
State payroll records show 11 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $113,264. The agencies employing the most are:
- Corrections (7)
- Health and Senior Services (4)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direction of a Coordinator of Chaplaincy Services or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, supervises all chaplaincy services and religious activities and programs; provides spiritual and religious services to residents, employees, and incarcerated individuals of all faiths and denominations; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required. NOTE: The services of the incumbent in this position will be predominantly available for the residents or the incarcerated individuals within an institution; however, they may be extended to the employees in extreme circumstances as deemed appropriate.
Examples of work
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Oversees the provision of all denominations of faith-based services, including counseling services, coordinating religious activities, and staff supervision. Supervises chaplaincy staff and the work activities of program volunteers. Plans, and leads department meetings regularly. Oversees the in-service training program for staff members, as well as the pastoral services continuing education program. Develops, implements, and administers the policies governing the institution's religious activities based on organizational directives. Develops religious and faith-based programs and services to address the spiritual needs of residents, employees, and incarcerated individuals. Serves on multi-disciplinary advisory committees that evaluate the facility's faith-based programs, rehabilitative treatment measures, and facility services and provides recommendations for program modifications that align with organizational goals and policies. Provides monthly reports to supervisors and stakeholders on the religious activities and chaplaincy services provided within the facility. Ensures that the facility's pastoral services are compliant with the accreditation standards set by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals or the directives established by the American Correctional Association. Plans and coordinates religious and faith-based services for residents of a state institution or correctional facility. Oversees the provision of pastoral visits as part of orientation, or in response to requests from family members, facility staff, the supervisor of pastoral services, or the chaplain. Engages with residents, employees, and incarcerated individuals to address their moral, religious, and spiritual needs and ensures that subsequent meetings with chaplaincy staff are scheduled. Provides advice and counseling to residents, employees, and incarcerated individuals on religious, spiritual, and moral topics upon request, while adhering to the institution's policies. Promotes awareness of the facility's religious programs by collaborating with community and faith-based groups, or other relevant organizations. Supervises staff in procuring a comprehensive collection of religious books and other materials that support the educational, spiritual, and research needs of residents or incarcerated individuals. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of a system of files and records. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college, university, or seminary with a bachelor's degree.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience as a minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or deacon in the offices of a religious faith, which shall have included religious, personal, and social counseling, with one (1) year of supervised pastoral counseling (such as clinical pastoral education) in an institutional setting.
License
Appointees will be required to possess certification or accreditation as a minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or deacon in an established religious faith, and an endorsement for chaplaincy where required by the ordaining or endorsing body. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the spiritual, social, economic, personal, and psychological challenges that arise from incarceration or institutionalization. Knowledge of the spiritual resource materials, principles, ceremonies, values, and practices of a specific faith. Knowledge of spiritual and pastoral counseling methods and techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to develop and evaluate chaplaincy programs. Knowledge of the programs, functions, and associated challenges commonly encountered in correctional or residential institutions. Knowledge of the modern psychology, penology, and sociology principles and their application in religious programs for incarcerated or institutionalized individuals. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to provide religious instruction and conduct faith-based services for residents, employees, and incarcerated individuals. Ability to provide moral, religious, and general counseling to residents from diverse cognitive, social, and ethnic backgrounds. Ability to recruit and train staff and volunteers. Ability to discuss religious topics with a broad and diverse audience. Ability to assist with the educational and recreational programs within an institution. Ability to conduct formal worship services. Ability to collaborate with facility staff and stakeholders to implement organizational programs and objectives. Ability to collaborate with staff across various program areas to achieve institutional objectives. Ability to collaborate with representatives from various faith groups on an ecumenical basis. Ability to provide culturally sensitive counseling to a diverse population, addressing moral, religious, and general concerns. Ability to discuss religious topics with a broad and diverse audience. Ability to collaborate with staff across various program areas to achieve institutional objectives. Ability to plan, organize, implement, and oversee chaplaincy projects and staff within the institution. Ability to prepare or oversee correspondence and produce monthly reports summarizing work activities for supervisors. Proficiency in oral and written communication. Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations, and apply them to specific situations. Ability to supervise staff in procuring and maintaining a comprehensive collection of religious books and other materials that support the educational, spiritual, and research needs of residents or incarcerated individuals. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of files and records. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Graduation from a course of theological study as required by the ordaining or endorsing body. Applicants who do not possess the required degree may substitute additional experience as indicated above on a year-for-year basis. A Master of Divinity Studies or similar program may be substituted for one (1) year of relevant experience.