Police Chaplain Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location : Police Department, Shafter, CA
Job Type: Volunteer
Job Number: 26/12
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Objective
Under general direction, provide volunteer spiritual, emotional, and crisis support services to members of the Police Department, their families, victims of crime, and members of the community. Assist Department personnel during critical incidents, emergencies, natural disasters, death notifications, and other situations requiring compassion, counseling, and support. Serve as a liaison between the Department and community organizations while promoting the mission and values of the Shafter Police Department. Perform related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Police Chaplain is a volunteer, non-sworn position appointed by and serving at the discretion of the Chief of Police. Chaplains provide spiritual care, emotional support, and crisis intervention but do not possess peace officer authority and shall not perform law enforcement functions.
Incumbents serve as representatives of the Department and are expected to maintain the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, confidentiality, and impartiality while providing assistance to Department members and the community regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

• Respond to critical incidents, major crimes, officer-involved shootings, natural disasters, fires, and other emergencies to provide emotional and spiritual support.
• Respond to hospitals, crime scenes, and other locations as requested by Department personnel.
• Provide confidential emotional, spiritual, and crisis support to Department employees and their families.
• Visit sick, injured, or hospitalized employees.
• Assist with notifications involving serious injury, illness, or death of Department personnel, victims, family members or others, as requested
• Attend funerals, memorial services, retirements, graduations, award ceremonies, and other Department events.
• Serve as a resource for employees experiencing personal, family, or work-related stress.
• Assist in promoting employee wellness and resiliency.
• Provide comfort and support to officers, employees, victims of crime, witnesses, family members and others affected by accidents, domestic violence, suicides, and other traumatic incidents.
• Provide referrals to counseling, clergy, victim services, mental health providers, and community resources.
• Follow up with families when appropriate to provide continued support.
• Foster positive relationships between the Police Department and the community.
• Serve as a liaison with faith-based organizations, civic groups, nonprofits, and community partners.
• Participate in community outreach events, public safety events, memorial ceremonies, and educational programs.
• Promote understanding of the role of law enforcement within the community.
• Participate in ride-alongs with patrol officers.
• Remain available for on-call assignments as established by Department policy.
• Attend chaplain meetings and required Department training.
• Complete activity reports and maintain accurate records of chaplain services.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information consistent with applicable laws and Department policy.
• Maintain issued equipment, uniforms, and identification.
• Complete required training in crisis intervention, stress management, suicide prevention, death notifications, ethics, confidentiality, and trauma-informed care.
• Maintain knowledge of available community resources.
• Participate in continuing education related to chaplaincy and law enforcement.
• Document volunteer service hours and activities.
• Coordinate with Department personnel regarding chaplain response requests.
• Assist in developing wellness and peer support initiatives when appropriate.
• Participate in program evaluations and planning meetings.
• Represent the Police Department in a professional, compassionate, and impartial manner.
• Respect individuals of all faiths, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.
• Refrain from proselytizing or promoting any particular religious belief while serving in an official capacity.
• Comply with all applicable Department policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
• Perform duties of a disaster services worker in the event of an emergency.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Any experience working with individuals and families experiencing grief, trauma, crisis, or other emotionally stressful situations. Experience working with law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, military, hospitals, correctional facilities, or other public safety organizations is highly desirable.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of an ecclesiastical certificate, or current endorsement, ordination, licensure, or commission from a recognized religious organization.
• Valid California Class C driver's license with a good driving record.

OTHER

• Must successfully complete a civilian background investigation demonstrating good moral character, integrity, sound judgment, financial responsibility, and a favorable reputation within the community, as determined by the Chief of Police or designee.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of pastoral care, crisis intervention, grief counseling, and emotional support.
• Techniques for providing compassionate support to individuals experiencing trauma, crisis, loss, or other stressful events.
• Principles of stress management, resiliency, suicide awareness, and post-traumatic stress as they relate to law enforcement personnel, victims, and families.
• Law enforcement organization, operations, terminology, and the role of a police chaplain within a public safety agency.
• Community resources and referral services available for counseling, victim assistance, substance abuse, mental health, and social services.
• Principles of ethics, confidentiality, and applicable state and federal laws governing privileged communications and privacy.
• Cultural diversity, sensitivity, and effective communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds, faiths, beliefs, and life experiences.
• Department policies, procedures, safety practices, and applicable laws related to volunteer chaplain services.
• Modern office practices, recordkeeping procedures, and the use of standard office equipment and computer applications.

Skilled in:

• Providing crisis intervention and emotional support in high-stress situations.
• Communicating effectively with individuals experiencing grief, trauma, emotional distress, or crisis.
• Active listening, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication.
• Building rapport and establishing trust with Department personnel, victims, families, and members of the public.
• Exercising sound judgment and maintaining professionalism during emotionally charged situations.
• Preparing accurate reports and maintaining confidential records.
• Working collaboratively with law enforcement personnel, emergency responders, community organizations, and other service providers.
• Delivering presentations, invocations, or educational discussions to groups when requested.

Ability to:

• Provide compassionate emotional, spiritual, and crisis support to Department members, their families, victims, and members of the community.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive or privileged information.
• Respond calmly and effectively to emergencies, critical incidents, disasters, and traumatic events.
• Establish and maintain positive and professional working relationships with Department personnel, community organizations, clergy, and the public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Exercise independent judgment while recognizing the limits of the chaplain's authority and responsibilities.
• Work effectively with individuals of all faiths, beliefs, cultures, and backgrounds without discrimination or proselytizing.
• Recognize situations requiring referral to licensed mental health professionals, victim advocates, medical personnel, or other specialized resources.
• Understand and comply with Department policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Participate in training, meetings, ride-alongs, and other Department activities.
• Maintain composure while responding to traumatic incidents involving serious injury, death, violence, or other emotionally difficult circumstances.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle and respond to various locations throughout the City as needed.
• Represent the Shafter Police Department in a professional, ethical, and impartial manner at all times.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sit, stand, and walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Verbally communicate to exchange information.
• Hear, understand, and distinguish speech and other sounds in person, by telephone, and by radio.
• Use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, communication devices, and other equipment related to assigned duties.
• Drive a motor vehicle to various locations throughout the City.
• Occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull in the performance of assigned duties.
• Lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Visual requirements include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Wear personal protective equipment when required.

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Use written and oral communication skills.
• Interpret data, information, and documents.
• Analyze situations and exercise sound judgment in emotionally sensitive and crisis situations.
• Work under changing priorities and frequent interruptions.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive and privileged information.
• Interact with Department personnel, victims, families, community members, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be emotionally distressed or dissatisfied.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• May respond to hospitals, residences, police facilities, community events, emergency scenes, and other locations throughout the City.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and respond to emergency call-outs.
• May be exposed to varying weather conditions, traffic, loud noises, and emotionally stressful situations involving illness, injury, death, or other traumatic incidents.

All City of Shafter employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Section 3100-3109). As Disaster Service Workers, all City employees are expected to remain at work or report to work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.
The City of Shafter is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for disabilities may be requested from the Human Resources Department at (661) 746-5003 or
APPLICATION PROCESS
Incomplete application packets will be rejected. Application packets must contain the following:
1. City of Shafter Employment Application: Must list each position in chronological order with start/end dates and duties/responsibilities for each employer/s.
2. An Ecclesiastical certificate, current endorsement, ordination, license, or commission issued by a recognized religious organization.
SELECTION PROCESS
The following are steps in the selection process. Candidates must pass each step before proceeding to the next step:
1. Submit a complete employment application as listed under the Application Process
2. Application Review
3. Interview with Chief of Police
4. Name Placed on Eligibility List
5. Background Investigation
6. Conditional Offer
7. Medical Examination
8. Formal Offer
9. Begin Volunteer Employment
Comprehensive City Paid Benefit Package

• California Public Employees Retirement Plan (CalPERS) in accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA): Miscellaneous 2% @ 55 or 2% @ 62.
• Medical, Dental, & Vision: City pays 100% of the medical, dental, & vision premiums on the base plan for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner, and dependents.
• Life Insurance: City pays 100% of the premium for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner, and dependents. Employee benefit is equal to 12 times monthly base salary + $17,000, rounded to next $1000.
• Vacation: 10 days to start to 25 days maximum annually.
• Holidays: 10 fixed and 2 floating annually.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours annually.
• Work Schedule: 5/8 Work Schedule.
• Spanish Fluency Incentive: $120 per month for designated positions.
• Tuition Reimbursement: $3,000 annually.
• IRS 125 Tax Deferred Flexible Spending Account: