Muslim Chaplain, Allegheny County Jail (Part-Time)

Position Description: The Muslim Chaplain is a member of the Allegheny County Chaplaincy team who provides for the sacramental, spiritual, and pastoral needs of the inmates and staff of the Allegheny County Jail.  The Muslim chaplain is primarily responsible for ensuring that Muslim inmates and staff are provided appropriate opportunities to practice their faith but will provide coverage in the absence of other chaplains for scheduled services and programs. This chaplain will also attempt to meet the spiritual/religious needs of any inmate or staff member regardless of their religious or non-religious affiliation.

Reports to: Director of Chaplaincy Services

Responsibilities

1. Prayer

  • Lead/coordinate Jum’ah prayer services and provide for coverage of Jum’ah services when absent through substitutes and volunteers.
  • Manage all administrative aspects of prayer services including necessary memos, inmate movement, attendance records.

2. Religious Instruction

  • Oversee weekly classes and religious instruction for Muslim inmates.
  • Acquire and distribute appropriate religious literature, supplies and materials.

3. Pastoral Care

  • Respond to written inmate requests.
  • Visit inmate housing units and disciplinary housing on a weekly basis to provide religious counseling.
  • Visit staff members requesting visitation.
  • Provide counseling to inmate families as needed.

4. Special Events

  • Coordinate the observance of religious holidays and events such as Ramadan, Id al-Fitr, and Id al-Adha for registered Muslims in the jail.
  • Work with other departments as needed (Inmate Programs, Kitchen, Medical, Operations) to ensure the smooth facilitation of events.
  • Perform all administrative tasks necessary for special events including memos, announcements, and record keeping.

5. Volunteers and Relationships with the Islamic Community

  • Establish good relationships with the local Islamic Communities.
  • Recruit and supervise volunteers from the Pittsburgh Islamic Community.
  • Train chaplaincy volunteers for effective volunteering and nurture them in their service.
  • Be proactive in establishing links with local faith communities and other agencies for support, volunteers, and resources.
  • Solicit in kind donations of Qur’ans, other Muslim literature and financial donations to purchase Qur’ans and other literature.

6. Other

  • Work collaboratively with the Chaplaincy Team and Director of Chaplaincy Services to provide chaplaincy care within the institution.
  • Follow all institution and Chaplain’s Office policies and procedures.
  • Recommend the purchase of equipment, supplies, books, and materials for religious services and activities.
  • Record statistics, submit monthly reports, and complete assignments in a timely manner.
  • Complete necessary administrative tasks for worship, religious instruction, and pastoral care.
  • Provide appropriate support to the Chaplain’s Office in the absence of other chaplains.
  • Serve as Duty Chaplain in rotation with other staff chaplains.
  • Contribute to training programs and materials for staff and volunteers as needed.
  • Contribute to newsletter as requested by Director of Chaplaincy Services.
  • Participate in department-wide events such as:
    – Religious Volunteer Orientation (February)
    – Correctional Employees’ Week activities (May)
    – Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration (Fall)
    – Foundation of HOPE Fundraiser (Fall)
    – Holiday gift distribution (Dec)
    – Orientation of new inmates as needed
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  1. Ability to be cleared to enter the facility.
  2. An Imam in good standing with the Islamic Community.
  3. Prefer bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies or related field from an accredited educational institution; higher degree a plus.
  4. Fluency in English (spoken and written); written Qur’anic Arabic competency.
  5. Prefer previous experience as an Imam or Assistant Imam.
  6. Ability to work with people of different cultures, backgrounds, and faiths.
  7. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and judgment skills.
  8. Computer skills including Word, Excel, internet, and email.
  9. Valid US work visa.

Hours

Fifteen hours per week. Chaplaincy needs that demand additional/occasional response will be expected:   funerals/funeral home visits, special religious services, Ramadan, staff & volunteer in-services, orientation sessions, annual appreciation, celebration, holiday events, and other activities as directed by the Director of Chaplaincy.

Application

Please send your resume and three letters of reference via email to: Director of Chaplaincy Services, Rev. Charissa Howe.