COMMUNITY-FUNDED PRISON CHAPLAIN

DESCRIPTION & CURRENT NEED

Are you driven to empower justice-involved women to create their own paths forward? Do you believe in the power of relationships, community, and people over process? If so, Arise Collective is looking for you.

Arise Collective has worked for 45 years at the intersection of prison chaplaincy, women’s issues, and social justice. We provide trauma-informed, evidence-based, participant-centered programs that help women heal, grow, and thrive, both in prison and in the communities to which they return. Our holistic reentry services include housing, education, and employment support.

We are seeking a Community-Funded Chaplain to continue our long-standing chaplaincy partnership at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW). For 45 years, Arise Collective has partnered with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) to provide chaplaincy and transitional services at NCCIW and its minimum-security Canary Unit. Visit arise-collective.org to learn more.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Community-Funded Prison Chaplain provides chaplaincy services inside North Carolina Intuition for Women (NCCIW), supporting the mission of Arise Collective to equip women with the tools and support they need to heal, grow, and thrive. This position partners with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) and Arise Collective’s leadership team to deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based, and participant-centered chaplaincy and reentry services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PRISON CHAPLAINCY (60%)

• Serve inside the prison as a Community-Funded Chaplain, contingent upon approval by NCDAC.
• Partner with NCDAC chaplaincy staff to supervise Chaplaincy Services programming across recognized faith traditions.
• Recruit, manage, and support Chaplaincy Services volunteers and maintain accurate volunteer records.
• Work collaboratively with NCDAC chaplains to provide grief support and respond to resident requests for literature and program enrollment.
• Lead trauma-informed, evidence-based programming, religious education, and worship in one’s own tradition, in accordance with professional expertise.
• Work with NCDAC chaplains to provide grief support and respond to residents’ pastoral care requests, including literature and program enrollment.
• Facilitate observance of religious holidays across a variety of faith traditions.
• Support Arise Collective’s Senior Chaplain with chaplaincy data management, reporting, and coordination with the NCDAC.

REENTRY CHAPLAINCY (20%)

• Connect women with faith communities and community resources to build supportive relationships post-release.
• Provide spiritual discernment and support to women participating in Arise Collective’s non-residential reentry programs.
• Conduct outreach to faith-based and community partners to identify mentors and volunteers and to increase engagement in reentry support.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (20%)

• Attend staff and partner meetings, trainings, and retreats as required by Arise Collective and NCDAC.
• Contribute to program development, evaluation, and reporting for funding continuity.
• Support organizational collaboration, data collection, and communication across teams to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Master of Divinity or equivalent degree preferred; ordination/endorsement required in one’s faith tradition.
• Demonstrated inclusive and empathetic worldview with experience working across lines of difference.
• Minimum of one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred; not required for NCDAC covenanting.
• Strong experience in pastoral counseling and trauma-informed care.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and group facilitation skills.
• Proficiency with technology, Microsoft Office, and data management tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a structured system and independently in a high-stress environment.
• Experience in chaplaincy with women and/or in correctional or reentry settings preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Possess valid NC Driver License, satisfactory driving record and proof of insurance.

Be able to complete and pass NCDAC-required background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical ability to perform essential functions, including standing, walking, and occasional lifting or movement of moderate weight. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable those with physical limitations to perform the essential functions, per NCDAC policy.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

This is a full-time, exempt position primarily based inside the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW), with regular off-site work for meetings, trainings, and community engagement. The position requires flexibility to work days, evenings, Sundays and some holidays.

PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS

Must develop and maintain excellent relationships with program participants, Arise Collective staff and board, prison staff, other NCDAC personnel at all levels, community volunteers, faith communities, nonprofit partners, and others involved in the work of the organization.

JOB TYPE

Salaried, full-time, exempt position, exact schedule contingent upon NCDAC covenant.

Generous benefits package includes medical, dental and vision benefits, retirement plan with employer match, pre-tax benefits, paid time and leave, cell phone stipend, and other organizational benefits.