Jewish Chaplain
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: XT40
Class Code: 9919
Established: 05/24/1957
Revised: 04/08/2003
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under direction, to give spiritual and moral guidance to State institution residents; to conduct Jewish religious services and instruction; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Interviews and counsels mental patients, developmentally disabled residents, juvenile or adult offenders, or Veterans Home members on ethical and moral problems and spiritual matters; presides at Sabbath and Jewish holiday services, and conducts other Jewish rituals as needed by institution residents; organizes and instructs classes in Jewish religion, ethics, and sacred music; cooperates with other staff members in carrying out the institution treatment program; supervises the arranging of programs conducted in the institution by visiting religious and allied groups; assists in problems involving welfare agencies where family help is needed; visits the sick; works with residents in their group and club activities; counsels with families on problems involved in rehabilitation; explains and interprets the institution's religious program to community groups; and serves, when designated, as a member of or consultant to the institution classification committee.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Ordained rabbi, duly accredited by, and in good standing with, a recognized California rabbinical body.
Or II
A lay person or a vested Cantor who has demonstrated pastoral competence as certified and endorsed by the Board of Rabbis of Northern California or the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. and
Jewish Chaplain 2-
Experience: Two years of experience in one or a combination of the following:
1. As a chaplain in the armed services, or in a public or private institution. or
2. As either a rabbi or assistant rabbi of a congregation. or
3. As an ordained rabbi in religious education work, as a teacher, or as a director of religious education or of young people's activities, or as a Hillel director. and Either one or a combination of the following:
1. Completion of twelve months or four quarters of a full-time resident clinical pastoral training program approved by the National Conference on Clinical Pastoral Education. or
2. Completion of the equivalent of two years of full-time supervised clinical or field training in pastoral care, social work, psychology, counseling and guidance, or other related fields. or
3. The equivalent of one year of service as a National Jewish Welfare Board approved civilian chaplain.
(Full-time graduate study, beyond studies required for ordination, if in pastoral counseling, psychology, or a related field may be substituted for a maximum of six months of the clinical pastoral training, or supervised clinical or field training, or civilian chaplain service, on the basis of one year of graduate study for three months' training or service.) and Education: Completion of theological studies for ordination as a rabbi at a recognized Jewish theological school; and equivalent to graduation from college with a minimum of 12 semester units in counseling, psychology, or a related field.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Factors involved in the development of behavior problems, including a knowledge of mental disorders and principles of mental hygiene; knowledge of developmental disabilities; purposes of mental, developmental, and correctional institutions; methods of rehabilitation; and a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Jewish Chaplain 3-
Ability to: Organize, prepare, and conduct Jewish religious services and courses on ethics, religion, and sacred music; counsel institution residents and their families on moral and ethical problems; establish rapport with institution residents; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; and effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Special Personal Characteristics
Demonstrated aptitude for working effectively with the socially abnormal; interest in the welfare and spiritual needs of institution residents; insight into factors involved in the development of behavior problems, including a knowledge of mental disorders and principles of mental hygiene; emotional stability, adaptability; firmness; patience; self control; tact; good address; neat personal appearance; pleasant and wholesome personality; and good judgment in moral, ethical, and religious matters.
