The Department of Corrections’ (DOC) public safety mission is achieved through evidence-based approaches to the custody and supervision of those in our care. Corrections employees have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others through careers in a variety of fields. Employees manage day-to-day operations and implement programming to foster long-term rehabilitation and community reentry, and to reduce criminal recidivism and victimization.

DOC is recruiting to fill current and future Chaplain vacancies among 19 statewide facilities. Apply now if you are interested in working at any site, regardless of whether there is a current vacancy. This candidate register will be used during the next 12 months (applications reviewed monthly).

Current Vacancies:

• Columbia Correctional Institution (Portage, Columbia County)
• Dodge Correctional Institution (Waupun, Dodge County)
• Oshkosh Correctional Institution (Oshkosh, Winnebago County)

DOC is a great place to work! In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of vacation to start, nine paid holidays, and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.
• Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits
• A casual office atmosphere and flexible work schedules depending on the position’s requirements
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being

The DOC Chaplain is responsible for development, administration and oversight of congregate religious programming and spiritual care for persons of all creeds/faiths/religions residing in minimum-, medium-, and maximum-security correctional facilities. Program delivery will be accomplished primarily through recruitment, training, scheduling and supervision of community volunteers to provide direct activities, such as worship services, religious study groups, spiritual care and special events. DOC Chaplains apply principles of pluralism, and ensure all Umbrella Religion Groups (URGs) and individuals are treated fairly and equitably with regard to accommodations and distribution of facility resources. In coordination with facility leadership, the Chaplain will integrate religious accommodations within the institution's overall rehabilitation/treatment objectives; provide staff education/training on principles of religious pluralism, grief, moral injury, forgiveness, etc.; and participate on committees as assigned. The position serves as liaison between the institution and faith-based community organizations. Chaplains also manage religious literature and dietary accommodations, and maintain relevant public records. The Chaplain may directly or indirectly plan and oversee religious ceremonies and faith-based education in the absence of community volunteers. This position may or may not directly facilitate services and study groups within their own religious tradition, depending upon population needs and facility resources.

This position is in pay schedule/range 12-64 with an annual salary starting at $45,552 - $64,064 plus excellent benefits. Pay on appointment for current state employees may vary according to the applicable provisions of the State Compensation Plan, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and statutes. A twelve-month probationary period is required. DOC Chaplains are eligible for $1,800 or 20% of annual salary (whichever is greater) to be designated as annual tax-deductible housing allowance per WI Statute 301.27(1).

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DOC sponsorship) at the time of application.

The Department of Corrections may conduct pre-employment drug screens. Any applicant who is offered employment in a position which requires a pre-employment drug screen must pass the screen as a contingency of employment.

The Department of Corrections will conduct criminal background checks on applicants prior to selection. Upon hire, all new DOC employees are subject to fingerprinting.

All state employees must report their COVID vaccination status, whether vaccinated or not and provide supporting documentation if vaccinated. Newly hired employees will be required to submit this information within their first two weeks of employment.

The State of Wisconsin continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols for COVID. Please visit Division of Personnel Management Coronavirus - COVID-19 (wi.gov) for the most up-to-date information. Guidance may be subject to change.

Minimally qualified applicants will have:

• Experience with religious pluralism and diverse populations.
• Supervised work experience (paid or volunteer) within a human services or social services setting (such as a correctional agency, residential facility, religious/spiritual organization, community volunteer organization)
• Administrative Experience, including experience with:
• Written Communication
• Scheduling
• Resource coordination
• Correspondence
• Record keeping

• Recent participation in a faith-community or a community volunteer organization (see number 3 of required documents in the How to Apply section)

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, well-qualified applicants may have advanced education, experience, or training in:

• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
• World religions or theology
• Trauma-informed care/moral injury
• Techniques for providing individual spiritual care
• Motivational interviewing
• Group facilitation
• Recruiting and training volunteers

You must upload three (3) required application documents:

• affiliation and good standing with the organization
• organizational role (e.g. pastor, assistant pastor, youth group ministry, spiritual leader, lay leader, intern, volunteer coordinator)
• length of service.

Click on “Apply for Job” to start the process and follow the steps to submit your three (3) application documents. Your resume and cover letter should clearly identify your training and experience related to the qualifications listed in the job posting. You may submit a combined maximum of four (4) pages for the resume and cover letter requirements (documents #1 and #2). Excess pages will not be evaluated. Documentation of faith community/volunteer organization affiliation (document #3) is not counted within the page limitation. Your affiliation documentation should be uploaded as a "Certification".

We highly suggest you review the additional information on developing your resume and letter of qualifications, to review please click here.

Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts to create a statewide candidate register. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in facility-specific interviews as vacancies occur.

Permanent classified employees who are eligible for consideration as a transfer or voluntary demotion must complete the application process in order to be considered.

Questions can be directed to Athena Foster, Human Resource Specialist at athena.foster@wisconsin.gov .

The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.

Application materials will be accepted until the needs of the Department are met.

If you have technical difficulties, Wisc.Jobs help is available Monday-Friday, 7:45am – 4:30pm – 608-267-1012 or wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov