VMG is seeking an experienced and dynamic Chaplain, to act as our Local Facility Chaplain who has experience implementing, managing, and enforcing processes for Detention Chaplaincy Programs. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), has a requirement for chaplains and support staff to establish and administer a Religious Services Program at each of five (5) dedicated ICE Detention Facilities located in Batavia, NY, Miami, FL (Krome), Los Fresnos, TX (Port Isabel), Florence, AZ, and El Paso, TX.
The primary goal of Local Facility Chaplain is to provide detainees access to a structured and consistent opportunity to practice religion. This goal will be accomplished through on-site/ hybrid services providing individual spiritual and personal counseling to detained noncitizens and provide comfort and care to detained noncitizens facing personal crisis.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Local Facility Chaplain will:
- Make rounds to all housing units, including restrictive housing, in the facility on a regular basis (no less than once per week) and respond to religious needs of detained noncitizens.
- Actively seek out, recruit and coordinate a local network of volunteers to meet the diverse needs of faith groups reflecting the site population demographics.
- Be responsible for working collaboratively with volunteers in all aspects of ministry onsite and to maintain a fair and equitable management of volunteer resources.
- Primary Duties Include but are not limited to:
- Developing religious programs at each facility,
- Coordinating and directing all religious activities,
- Providing guidance to ICE on religious matters at each facility.
- Report to ICE, and schedule services and classes with the designated ICE personnel.
- Promoted interfaith understanding.
- Purchase items that will improve the Religious Services Program (subject to ICE review and approval).
- Coordinate special religious holiday worship services, including but not limited to, providing religious items and appropriate/need specialty food items.
- Plan, organize, and create religious instruction opportunities that occur on a weekly basis in the form of classes (ongoing or a one time special event).
- Suggest that certain religious literature, religious property, and specialty religious foods (if feasible by the facility Food Services) be made available via commissary, with the final approval by ICE.
- The Chaplain shall follow the ICE PBNDS for marriage requests consistent with the security, order and management of the facility.
Education and/or Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate discipline (Religion, Religious Studies, Theology, ) and a minimum of 5-years’ ministry experience OR no degree and a minimum of 10-years ministry experience.
- The chaplains shall possess experience, certification, and credentials appropriate to the goals and intent of this contract effort sufficient to show the ability to communicate, counsel, and provide pastoral care to detained noncitizens, lead volunteers, and create and lead a Religious Services Program.
- Demonstrating sound judgment and even temperament and maintain self-control in situations that involve mental stress.
Requirements: All work will be performed onsite at designated facility location.
