County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to plan, prepare and conduct religious services at the Sheriff Department's Detention Facilities; to interview and counsel inmates; to plan, conduct and coordinate all religious activities; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Chaplain works for the Sheriff's Department and reports to a member of the Jail staff designated by the Division Chief of the Detention and Corrections Division. Responsibilities include coordinating religious activities for inmates along with serving as Departmental Chaplain. The Chaplains' offices are located at the Alameda County Jail (Santa Rita and the North County Jail).

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Prepares, plans and conducts religious services and activities; makes arrangements for representatives of other faiths to conduct religious services and activities; maintains a supply of religious literature; prepares chaplain activity reports.

2. Provides liaison between Alameda County Jail (Santa Rita or North County Jail) and community religious and social organizations; speaks before such organizations concerning the work and purpose of the Sheriff's Department Detention Facilities.

3. Counsels, interviews, and advises inmates on moral, spiritual, domestic, and personal problems; confers with inmate's family concerning domestic problems; consults with members of the custodial staff, the Probation Department, and other agencies concerning inmate problems.

4. Performs the duties of Chaplain for the Sheriff's Department in other religious matters.

5. Supervises inmate workers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Ordination or accreditation with the Roman Catholic Church, an accredited California Rabbinical Board, or a nationally accredited Protestant or other religious denomination,

And

Satisfaction of chaplain requirements specified by the American Correctional Association.

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in one or a combination of the following:

1. As a minister, rabbi or priest of a church, or as a missionary; or

2. As a chaplain in the armed services, or in a public or private institution, or in a position serving as director of religious education or some other specialized field in a religious institution,

License:

Some positions may require possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Counseling techniques (individual, group, family, marital).
• Factors involved in development of behavior problems.
• The general nature of mental disorders and mental hygiene.
• Security procedures.
• Jail procedures.
• Purposes of correctional institutions.
• Community resources.
• Elements of and methods of mental, moral, and social rehabilitation.
• Religious denominations and sects.

Ability to:

• Organize, prepare and conduct religious services and activities.
• Coordinate religious services with outside groups.
• Counsel and interview inmates and families on religious, personal, or domestic problems.
• Establish rapport with inmates from a variety of denominations and ethnic backgrounds.
• Assist inmates to solve problems, supervise inmates.
• Adapt to difficult crisis situations.
• Work under pressure and be flexible.
• Enlist help of spiritual volunteers.
• Prepare activity reports.
• Speak and write effectively.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

JE:lr/5-77
Retyped: JE:nt/1/82
HC:ab-Rev. 5/84
Retyped: 2/85
HC:mad-Rev. 1/88
Old doc: 0649h
New doc: 6660.doc
ys/8/01
CSC Date: 1/27/88
LN:po Revised 8/8/06
CSC Date: 8/30/2006

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.