Volunteer to change lives. Yours included.
This volunteer opportunity provides Christian pastoral care to adult incarcerated individuals within Queensland correctional centres.
Location: Maryborough Correctional Centre, Stein Road, Aldershot QLD 4650. Located about 7 km north of Maryborough, this multi-purpose, secure custody facility serves as a remand and reception centre.
Six different service providers are represented at each correctional centre. Your team size will vary depending on the centre's size, and you may serve alongside other chaplains on the same day.
What you’ll be doing:
1. Work in an ecumenical team environment
2. Attend a correctional centre once a week to provide pastoral care
3. Distribute religious materials to inmates
4. Pray with inmates upon request
5. Refer inmates to post-release service providers
6. Facilitate Sunday faith-based services on a 6-week rotational basis
7. Assist with incidents or deaths in custody
8. Participate in monthly chaplaincy team meetings
9. Attend monthly online training with UCQ
10. Participate in 3 days of annual in-service training in Brisbane
What’s in it for you?
* Experience the joy of making a meaningful difference
* Enjoy social interaction with others
* Engage in something new and different
Skills and experience important for this role include:
* Knowledge of and understanding of pastoral care
* Prior experience or willingness to obtain experience in pastoral care
* Some training in pastoral care
* Mature faith in Jesus Christ and regular church attendance
* Strong empathy for others
* Respect and acceptance of people from diverse backgrounds
* Ability to maintain confidentiality
* Strong professional boundaries and ethical standards
* Willingness to work within the guidelines of the State Chaplaincy Board and Queensland Corrective Services regulations
* Intentional self-care practices
This role is accessible for individuals using:
* Wheelchairs or mobility devices
More info: Trained volunteer chaplains serve on a weekly roster as part of an ecumenical team, providing non-denominational pastoral care across 16 correctional centres in Queensland, from Palen Creek to Lotus Glen. Pastoral care is non-judgemental, accepting, confidential, and supportive of all cultural, ethnic, age, and gender groups. It aligns with individuals' faith/spiritual journeys without proselytising, offering hope and positively impacting inmates' social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Chaplains conduct faith-based services every 6 weeks, sharing responsibilities with other service providers. They may provide faith materials, refer inmates to counselling or re-entry services, and assist during critical incidents or deaths, including funerals.
The role requires travel to various centres, which can be large and require good health for walking. Training includes a custodial awareness session and centre induction. Chaplains must follow Queensland Corrective Services directives and are accountable to the Chaplaincy Team Coordinator and the service provider.
We value diversity and inclusion. Please discuss any accessibility needs during the interview process.
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