Description

The Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) is a 2400 bed male all-custody level facility located 30 miles northeast of Seattle. Employing approximately 1200 staff, the complex consists of five major units; the Washington State Reformatory Unit (WSRU), Special Offender Unit (SOU), a large mental health in patient treatment unit, Twin Rivers Unit (TRU), Intensive Management Unit (IMU), and the Minimum Security Unit (MSU). Services provided at the Monroe Correctional Complex include; custody and security, classification, education, offender work programs, health care (both patient and outpatient), mental health care, sex offender treatment, food service, maintenance, personnel, recreation, volunteer services, religious services, library services, offender records, visiting and extended family visits.

The Department of Corrections (DOC), as a partner in the criminal justice system, enhances public safety, administers criminal sanctions and programs in accordance with the law and provides leadership for the future of corrections in Washington State. Whether the work is inside a prison, in community corrections, or in an administrative office, the Washington State Department of Corrections professional staff experience a high degree of personal satisfaction knowing they are creating environments in which all incarcerated individuals can learn to make choices that contribute to a safer society.

Duties

The Religious Coordinator position under the Prisons Division serves the incarcerated population by providing diverse and inclusive opportunities to engage in individual religious and spiritual beliefs as recognized by the Department of Corrections and supported by prison operations. At the local facilities, the Religious Coordinator reports to the facility supervisor and works collaboratively with other prison departments and community volunteers to enhance opportunities for program and services related to this field. This position also coordinates with the HQ Religious Programs Specialist and other prison coordinators to ensure consistent and meaningful program delivery across the state.

Essential functions and significant responsibilities of this position include:

Direct and manage all religious services for the institution

• Maintain knowledge of the Federal/State laws and departmental policies governing the delivery of religious programs for the incarcerated individuals.
• Perform, provide and/or direct the performance/delivery of religious services.
• Schedule, supervise, prepare and conduct religious services; administers sacraments and other rites; conducts special services on religious holidays and/or special occasions.
• Attend job related training as required.
• Provides counsel to incarcerated individuals of all religious faiths.
• Ensures individual and group compliance with DOC Religious Property matrix and policy; process religious property working collaboratively with custody staff.
• Assist with the development and management of a religious program budget for the institution.
• Implements policies and procedures relating to religious programs.

Manage and coordinate contractors and/or volunteers with religious programs

• Recruit, train and supervise religious volunteers that are qualified to provide religious services. Periodically audit performance, maintain volunteer files and be able to provide evaluations.
• Provide quarterly reports documenting religious volunteer involvement and incarcerated individual attendance at religious services/programs.
• Work with CPPC in administering programs, develop and implement volunteer recruitment programs to involve community volunteers.
• Establish connection with religious leaders of various churches, mosques, temples and other areas of worship; attend Religious Advisory Council (RAC) meetings as scheduled.

Manage the planning and organization of faith-based activities

• Perform incarcerated individual counseling that assists with spiritual direction, grief, marriage, relationships, preparation for marriage, goal setting and other counseling as needed.
• Coordinate incarcerated individual marriages. Maintain non-denominational standing.
• Complete religious events packets as required by supervisor expectations.
• Supervise, evaluate and direct the work of incarcerated individuals employed to work in the religious programs areas. Submit payroll for all assigned positions in a timely manner.
• Perform memorial services as necessary.

Manage religious property and diets

• Respond to and coordinate with the grievance specialist on matters of religious dispute about diets, property and programs/services that are religious in nature.
• Maintain visibility and availability with the incarcerated individuals by visiting all areas of the prison to include common areas and living units.
• Present a weekly new arrival orientation regarding job-related services available to incarcerated population.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Institutional religious coordinators appointed by the department of corrections under this section shall have qualifications necessary to serve all faith groups represented within the department. Every religious coordinator so appointed or contracted with shall have qualifications consistent with community standards of the given faith group to which he or she belongs and shall not be required to violate the tenets of his or her faith when acting in an ecclesiastical role.

Required Qualifications:

• 
  Three years of experience as a recognized faith leader, priest or other religious leader such as rabbi, imam, bishop or shaman of a nationally recognized faith.
• Ability to minister to and understand the religious needs of incarcerated individuals of all religious/spiritual beliefs.
• Ability to work independently using good judgement.
• Ability to work with individuals with diverse beliefs and backgrounds.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• A graduate degree in Theology, Sacred Studies, Ministry, Religious Studies, Comparative Religions, Philosophy of Religion or equivalent from an accredited graduate school or university.
• Three years of post-graduate experience as a recognized faith leader, priest, minister, religious leader, rabbi, imam, bishop, shaman or equivalent.
• Be in good standing with and currently recognized and endorsed for correctional faith, religious or spiritual work with a recognized religious body.

COVID 19 Vaccination Requirement
All Washington State executive branch employees, on-site contractors, and volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process for all positions within our agency. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the recruiter listed in the supplemental information section at the end of the job announcement.

Supplemental Information

Vision: Working together for safer communities.
Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.
Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

COVID 19 Vaccination Requirement
All Washington State executive branch employees, on-site contractors, and volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process for all positions within our agency. If you have questions about this requirement, please contact the recruiter listed in the supplemental information section at the end of the job announcement

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please include a letter of interest (1 page), resume, and minimum of three professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

**Failure to provide this information may result in your application not being considered for this position.

**Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in work history.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or in close proximity to incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment may also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.

What We Offer:
As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 11 paid holidays a year (12 in 2022 for Juneteenth)
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email evarlyn.kariuki@doc1.wa.gov or call us at (360) 794-2238. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.