The Methodist Home of Kentucky, Inc.

Part Time Chaplain

Owensboro, KY - Part Time

Reports To:  Director of Operations
Status: Part-time / 8-10 hours per week

Position Summary
The Part-Time Shelter Chaplain provides bilingual (English/Spanish) spiritual support and guidance to children residing at the Shelter in accordance with (ORR) requirements and KYUMH values. This position is responsible for facilitating age-appropriate, inclusive spiritual groups for youth and providing individual pastoral support upon request. The Chaplain fosters a respectful and welcoming environment that honors the diverse religious beliefs, traditions, and spiritual preferences of program participants. Through group engagement, individual conversations, encouragement, and compassionate presence, the Chaplain promotes emotional well-being, spiritual growth, and cultural sensitivity while supporting the overall mission and care provided within the shelter setting. The position works on a part-time basis and is expected to conduct weekly spiritual groups within each residential unit and be available for individual spiritual consultations as needed.

The Chaplain is expected to exercise discretion in handling sensitive information and maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws, ethical standards, ORR requirements, and KYUMH policies and procedures.

Essential Functions
  • Facilitate one spiritual enrichment group per week for each residential unit (three groups total per week).
  • Provide individual spiritual support, counseling, and guidance to youth upon request.
  • Foster an inclusive environment that respects and supports diverse religious beliefs, spiritual practices, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Develop and implement age-appropriate spiritual programming that promotes hope, resilience, personal growth, and positive values.
  • Serve as a supportive resource for youth experiencing adjustment challenges, grief, trauma, or other life stressors from a spiritual perspective.
  • Collaborate with program leadership to ensure spiritual services are delivered in a manner consistent with ORR requirements, program policies, and youth rights.
  • Assist youth in accessing faith-based resources, services, or religious accommodations consistent with their identified preferences and program guidelines.
  • Maintain appropriate documentation of services provided, as required by program procedures.
  • Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards at all times.
  • Demonstrate cultural humility, trauma-informed care principles, and sensitivity to the unique experiences of refugee and immigrant youth.
  • Complete required ORR and KYUMH trainings including but not limited to: Code of Conduct, Prevention of Sexual Assault (PSA), Mandatory Reporting, and Zero Tolerance.
  • Complete weekly documentation related to spiritual group activities and maintain required records in accordance with program and ORR requirements.

Core Competencies
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills
  • Confidentiality
  • Professional boundaries
  • Empathy
  • Respect for diverse faiths, traditions, spiritual beliefs, and cultural practices
  • Cultural competence and cultural humility
  • Trauma-informed care and sensitivity to the effects of trauma
  • Compassionate and nonjudgmental approach
  • Relationship-building and rapport development with youth
  • Group facilitation and presentation skills
  • Spiritual guidance and pastoral care
  • Ethical decision-making and professional integrity
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Reliability and dependability
  • Youth engagement and mentorship
  • Understanding of child and adolescent development
  • Ability to maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment

Qualifications
Required:
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Ordination, ecclesiastical endorsement, ministry certification, or formal theological training.
  • Fluency in both English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively with youth and staff.
  • Experience working with children, adolescents, or vulnerable populations.
  • Ability to pass all required background checks

Preferred:
  • Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, religious studies, social work, counseling, or a related field.
  • Experience serving as a chaplain, youth minister, pastoral counselor, or faith-based program leader.
  • Knowledge of trauma-informed care and the impact of migration, displacement, and trauma on youth.
  • Experience working with refugee, immigrant, or culturally diverse populations.
Additional Requirements  
  • Submit to federal and state background and fingerprint checks.  
  • Submit to pre-employment and random drug screenings.  
  • Maintain required trainings including CPR/First Aid.  
  • Maintain ORR required vaccinations.  
Apply: Part Time Chaplain
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Are you at least 21 years of age? (Minimum age for employment is 21 years of age.)*
Do you have a valid driver's license? A Youth Care Associate is required to safely transport clients in agency vehicles. (Valid driver's license and insurable driving record required for employment.)*
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent? (Minimum education level for employment is high school or equivalent.)*
Are you legally permitted to work in the United States?*
You will be required to provide the following documents if hired:
1. Second form of ID for completion of I-9 (Social Security card, certified copy of birth certificate or a valid US passport are acceptable documents);
2. Copy of your highest level of completed education diploma/transcript?

Are you able to provide these documents?*
Are you able to read, write, and speak English fluently? (This is a job requirement.)*
Are you fluent (reading, writing and speaking) in any language(s) other than English?*
If you answered 'yes' to the previous questions, which language(s)?
The program requires the following vaccination/immunizations:

1. An annual influenza immunization (or provide a medical or religious exemption).
2. Documentation of receiving or having immunity to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).
3. Documentation of receiving or agreeing to a Tdap booster.

Required immunizations or lab tests are at the cost of the program.
Do you agree to comply with these immunization requirements?*
Federal and state fingerprint background reports, driving record, sex offender registry and abuse reports will be required if selected for pre-hire screening.
Do you have or have you:
a. any civil or criminal convictions, charges, arrests, investigations, or adjudications;
b. engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or inappropriate sexual behavior, a crime involving a minor, or any violent crime;
c. been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in or attempted to engage in any of the activities listed above?*
If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, please provide details, including dates, state in which the incident occurred and the outcome.*
Have you been charged or convicted of any traffic violations (speeding, reckless driving, DUI, suspension of driver's license, etc.) since turning 18? Note: If your background check does not match what you tell us here, then you will be ineligible for hire.*
Do you have reliable transportation to and from work?*
Do you have any responsibilities that conflict with job attendance?*
Were you referred to this position by a current KYUMH employee? If so, please provide the employee's name.*
Have you worked for other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programs or other child welfare programs in the past?*
Please provide name(s) and location(s) of the ORR programs and / or other child welfare programs for which you have worked. (Enter N/A if no response.)*
Do you have at least one year of documented experience working with children and/or adolescents? This could include non-relative child care experience, summer camp counselor multiple seasons, children's and youth church ministry (paid or volunteer), school instructional aides, etc. Verification will be required to meet job requirements.*
What types of behaviors/interactions between an adult and a youth do you think may be inappropriate and why?*
KYUMH is a Christian, multi-cultural organization that employs individuals from all over the world. Our staff represent many cultures, countries, religions, and personal identities while working together to accomplish our mission in a safe, compassionate environment. Are you willing and able to work effectively in such an environment?*
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To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
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