Part Time Chaplain - The Heights Ellis County Family Resources : Job Details

Reports To: Service Director

Location: The Heights Ellis County Family Resources Midlothian, TX

Position Overview

The Chaplain at The Heights Ellis County Family Resources will provide spiritual, emotional and

relational support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault within a trauma-informed

framework. As a faith-based family justice center, this role requires balancing spiritual care with

an understanding of the complexities of trauma, including sensitivity to potential spiritual abuse.

The Chaplain will help guide clients through their healing journeys in a compassionate,

respectful, and non-coercive manner, offering encouragement, comfort and hope.

Key Responsibilities

● Spiritual Support: Provide pastoral care, prayer, and spiritual guidance to clients, staff,

and families, ensuring that all services are trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.

● Trauma-Informed Approach: Recognize the impact of trauma on survivors and tailor

spiritual care to respect clients' autonomy, emotional safety, and personal faith journeys,

avoiding practices that could retraumatize or exacerbate spiritual abuse.

● Sessions and Crisis Intervention: Offer one-on-one and group sessions for individuals

in crisis, facilitating spiritual and emotional healing through a trauma-sensitive lens

leading to deeper personal disciplineship.

● Interfaith and Non-Religious Inclusivity: Provide spiritual care to people of all faiths or

none, respecting individual belief systems and offering support in a non-judgmental

manner.

● Collaboration: Work closely with The Heights' multidisciplinary team, including

counselors, advocates, and staff, to coordinate care and ensure that spiritual support

aligns with clients' broader emotional and psychological needs.

● Advocacy and Education: Advocate for clients' spiritual needs in a way that enhances

their recovery process and contributes to their overall well-being. Educate staff and

volunteers on trauma-informed spiritual care and potential signs of spiritual abuse.

● Ethical Leadership: Uphold the highest ethical standards in pastoral care, maintaining

confidentiality, sensitivity, and a strong commitment to client safety.

● Program Development: Assist in the development of programs and services that

integrate faith-based support into the center's holistic care model, ensuring

trauma-informed practices are embedded in all spiritual initiatives.

Qualifications

● Educational Background: Ordained clergy or endorsed chaplain with a Master's

degree in Divinity, Pastoral Care, or a related field from an accredited institution desired.

● Training and Experience: Experience in pastoral care or chaplaincy, with a strong

background in trauma-informed care, preferably in settings involving domestic abuse or

sexual assault. Minimum of one unit of CPE training preferred.

Skills:

○ Deep understanding of trauma and its effects on individuals, particularly survivors

of abuse.

○ Strong emotional intelligence, active listening skills, and the ability to offer

non-judgmental, compassionate support.

○ Familiarity with the dynamics of spiritual abuse and experience in supporting

individuals in reclaiming healthy spirituality.

○ Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and offer spiritual insight while

respecting other professional approaches to healing.Ability to articulate a robust

theological understanding of human dignity, marriage, divorce, abuse,

redemption in all aspects.

○ Candidates should be assertive, well organized, possess excellent

communication and interpersonal skills;

○ Ability to think critically and address crisis situations as they arise;

○ Knowledge of Microsoft windows and be computer savvy;

○ Experience working with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or other

crime victims preferred

Personal Attributes

● Compassionate, empathetic, and able to create a safe, respectful space for

healing.Personal commitment to the habits of spiritual listening and intercession for

clients.

● Strong commitment to the mission and values of The Heights Ellis County Family

Resources.

● Respectful of diverse spiritual and cultural backgrounds, with a deep understanding of

the role spirituality plays in trauma recovery.

● Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Other Responsibilities:

● Staff the reception desk

● Screen clients as needed to determine if clients are appropriate for The Heights

services and make referrals as necessary;

● Assess & determine clients' safety and needs;

● Conduct homicide danger assessments in person or on the phone

● Conduct full intakes in person

● Develop a safety plan for each client

● Attend staff meetings

● Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings

● Assist in determining next steps for clients' visit to The Heights;

● Work with on-site partners to schedule client appointments;

● Answer telephones and respond to service inquiries;

● Provide information, referrals and advocacy on the phone and in person;

● Link the client to on and off site partners;

● Attend court with clients

● Accompany clients to the hospital as needed.

● Attend relevant training, workshops and seminars;

● Maintain cooperative working relationships with The Heights team and other service

providers;

● Perform other duties as assigned.