Detention Center Chaplain

York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation of our success.

Mission Statement– York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement– York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

The Detention Center is located at the Moss Justice Center and is a two-building facility. The Detention Center Main Building is a 621-bed direct supervision facility that opened in March of 1995. The Detention Center Annex is a 256-bed direct supervision facility that was formerly known as the York County Prison. The York County Sheriff’s Office obtained custody of the York County Prison in July of 2021 and merged all operations under the York County Detention Center. The Detention Center is charged with holding individuals who have been arrested by various law enforcement agencies in York County and held until they post bond, are ordered released by a court, or are transferred to a state institution after court sentencing. In addition, the Detention Center is charged with holding individuals who are sentenced to less than 90 days and/or all sentences through Family Court. The Detention Center also houses inmates for the U.S. Marshal Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under an agreement that provides compensation to the county.

Mission Statement for The Detention Division:  The York County Detention Center is committed to operating a facility that is secure, accountable, fair, and effective.

To accomplish our mission, the York County Detention Center will maintain a positive atmosphere for both incarcerated individuals and staff through the provision of:  A safe and secure environment for inmates and staff, a facility that is cost-effective, professionally trained staff, positive and safe physical surroundings, a variety of well-balanced programs that are conducive to appropriate inmate behavior, and a system to provide for the nutritional and physical well-being of the inmate population.

It is the intention of the York County Detention Center that inmates shall leave the facility no worse physically, emotionally, or psychologically than when they entered.  The York County Detention Center is committed to the operation of a facility that will meet state standards and to the preservation of basic human rights for the inmate population under the Constitution of the United States of America.

The Chaplain serves as a vital spiritual and emotional support resource for inmates in the York County Detention Center. This position provides interfaith pastoral care, facilities religious services, and coordinates access to religious materials and volunteer clergy. 

If you wish to find out more about a career at the York County Detention Center, please email Detention Center Careers. or email Sgt. Hewitt at Michael.Hewitt@yorkcountygov.com

Projected Hiring Range/Pay Grade 110: $19.43 - $23.31.  Salary is dependent on experience and education.

Our Total Compensation Package:  

• Compensation – competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance 
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program) 
• 11 Paid Holidays 3 Optional Holidays 
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension 
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings 
• Employee Assistance Programs 
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences
• Paid uniforms

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides spiritual counseling, crisis support, and religious guidance to inmates of diverse faith backgrounds.
• Schedules, conducts, or coordinates religious services, ceremonies, and educational classes. 
• Collaborates with outside clergy and faith-based volunteers to ensure religious coverage for all major traditions.
• Distributing holy books and/or other literature as requested by the inmate and approved by the facility.
• Handle emergency and/or death notifications between inmates and their families. This may require the chaplain to contact the coroner’s office and/or funeral home to determine the validity of the notification. 
• Assist with confirming an inmate’s desire to change his/her religious preference.
• Assist with confirming an inmate’s desire to be approved and/or removed from religious dietary plans. 
• Researching religious practice requests from inmates to determine the facility’s ability to provide and/or determining an appropriate substitute practice. 
• Make regular rounds throughout the facility in the general population housing units as well as the special management housing units to determine any religious needs from the inmate population. 

Education and Experience:

• Ordination or certification in good standing with a recognized religious body.
• Minimum of two years of experience in chaplaincy, pastoral care, or correctional ministry preferred.
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or equivalent experience is preferred.

Certifications / Licenses:

• Prefers a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.
• May require additional professional or technical certifications as deemed necessary by management.

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Salary : $19 - $23