About the role

The Catholic Diocese of Lismore is seeking applications from suitably qualified persons for the exciting new role of Catholic Chaplain, Mid North Coast Correctional Centre (Kempsey NSW). A Chaplain is required for a position of 70 hours a fortnight to provide high quality transformational pastoral care and spiritual support to inmates, their families/carers, and staff. The Chaplain works inclusively with people of diverse backgrounds, issues and needs, of faith or not, to sustain and empower the individual to enable holistic wellbeing and care. The successful applicant will be an essential support to the Diocese’s Vision and Mission in a dynamic community on the beautiful NSW Mid North Coast, loving, serving and accompanying people.

Located on the banks of the picturesque Macleay River in the Macleay Valley, surrounded by rainforest, national parks, rivers and beaches, and situated approximately halfway between Sydney and the QLD border, Kempsey is serviced by the North Coast railway line and Port Macquarie airport (approximately 30 minutes away). 

Selection Criteria

• The ability to work within the mission, values and principles of the Catholic Church
• Demonstrated ability in delivering pastoral care/pastoral counselling and spiritual mentoring in a multi-faith context, and ability to engage with people in matters of belief and meaning
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, listen, respond and act with sensitivity, empathy, compassion and confidentiality including an understanding of problems which may be experienced by inmates, their families and staff; and the capacity to maintain a clear and appropriate definition of the Chaplain’s role in relation to other members of the multidisciplinary team working within a Correctional Centre setting
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships; work collegially within a team and a multi-disciplinary and multi-faith environment
• Capacity to adapt and respond to the changing conditions and situations within a Correctional Centre setting
• Highly motivated with initiative and capacity to work with minimum supervision
• Sound time management, planning and organisational skills to meet priorities and deadlines with attention to detail
• Prior experience and/or appropriate qualifications related to this or a similar role