Interfaith Coordinator

Overview

Interfaith Coordinator - Essex County Sheriff's Department. This position has broad responsibilities for the development and implementation of policies and programs to provide the prison population with religious and ministerial services. Staff Chaplains provide pastoral care, manage religious programs, and administer resources. The coordinator will set up a schedule of religious activities providing equitable and reasonable opportunities for worship, study and religious programs, and communicate the mission and goals of the Department to staff and inmates. Collaboration with all Essex sites ensures continued quality services.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Asst. Superintendent from each facility (Middleton, ECPRC, WIT). Asst. Superintendents provide instruction, guidance, assign work, and review performance for adherence to policy and regulations. In the absence of the Interfaith Coordinator, the Asst. Superintendents will manage all religious requests and documentation for their site.

Supervision Exercised

Oversees contract workers and volunteers who provide religious activities for the inmate population.

Essential Functions

• Plan, develop, coordinate, and implement inmate religious programs and services.
• Establish schedules, calendars, postings, or other methods of informing inmates and staff of existing and planned religious programs and services. Programs are planned in conjunction with the Asst. Superintendents from each site.
• Provide oversight to all religious programs, including recruiting, screening, and orienting prospective volunteers; utilizing volunteer chaplains; and approving and training lay and clergy volunteers from faiths represented by the inmate population.
• Provide pastoral counseling and guidance to the inmate population.
• Attend professional training, seminars, and meetings approved by the Middleton Asst. Superintendent.
• Ensure security of the institution; chaplains' correctional responsibilities precede other duties and are performed regularly.
• Provide full pastoral ministry to inmates of all faith groups, including opportunities for worship on Sundays and other holy days; conduct visitations and provide individual / group counseling as needed.
• Assist in maintaining and conducting a well-rounded program of religious instruction, including classes, correspondence, work, and discussion groups, with support from contract staff and civilian volunteers.
• Represent the institution at civic and religious meetings, professional conferences, and seminars when required; serve as a religious liaison with the external community.
• Establish working relationships with local clergy and coordinate their contribution to the institution's religious program; assist clergy in understanding inmate-related problems.
• Maintain close working relationships with other departments to coordinate inmate treatment and rehabilitation within the institution's mission.
• Evaluate religious materials entering the institution and recommend expansion of the religious section of the inmate library.
• Serve as a training resource for new staff, contract employees, and volunteers; provide information on involvement in the total religious program.
• Administrative duties include responding to inmate requests, maintaining and filing service attendance sheets, collecting and submitting required annual paperwork for volunteers, keeping schedules up to date, data collection, and screening religious meal requests in coordination with the Kitchen Manager and site Asst. Superintendent.

Ensure RHU rounds are conducted at minimum 1x weekly and documented.

Please note this job description is not exhaustive and duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with days and hours Monday through Friday; some evenings may be required to support operations.

AAP / EEO Statement

The Essex County Sheriff's Department is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualifications

Primary Location

United States-Massachusetts-Middleton-20 Manning Ave

Job

Unclassified

Agency

Sheriff's Dept Essex

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Sep 17, 2025, 12 : 47 : 53 PM

Number of Openings

Salary

66,141.07 - 81,292.63 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Deana Piantedosi - 9787501900

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No

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