Catholic Spiritual Guide - Life Connections Program

The successful candidate for this position will be a 1099 contractor with Music Ministry International and be responsible for the following:

The Federal Bureau of Prisons intends to make a single award of an indefinite delivery/requirements type contract with firm fixed pricing for the provision of Catholic Spiritual Guide Services at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) located in Milan, Michigan. The Catholic Spiritual Guide will be an integral part of FCI Milan s Life Connections Program (LCP) and will provide inmates with guidance to successfully complete the program and reasonable and equitable opportunities to pursue religious beliefs and practices.
Place of Performance
The service to be provided under the contract shall be accomplished at:
Federal Correctional Institution
4004 East Arkona Rd.
Milan, Michigan 48160
Schedule
Services will normally be provided Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The spiritual guide will normally provide twenty-four (24) sessions each week of services. A session is defined as one hour. The schedule may include some weekend and/or evening hours based on program needs. A mutually agreed upon schedule will be developed by the Supervisory Chaplain after contract award.
Due to the nature of the correctional setting, delays in performance of work may be experienced. Such delays may include but are not limited to inclement weather, electrical or mechanical problems, or other security matters. When contract employees report to the institution but are unable to perform services due to such delays, the spiritual guide will be paid for one session. Normally, any remaining sessions for that day will be suspended and the spiritual guide will be free to leave and the spiritual guide will not be paid for the remaining unperformed sessions. However, if the institution requests that the spiritual guide remain at the institution for eventual performance, the spiritual guide shall be paid for such sessions. In the event of any absence, the spiritual guide may make up his/her time if approved by the Contracting Officer s Representative (COR). If the spiritual guide fails to provide coverage, the Government may seek contractual remedy.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
The spiritual guide shall possess a Bachelor s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Applicants responding to this job description shall complete and submit with their application the attached form, Credentials of Religious Services Contractor.
Applicants shall submit one letter of endorsement from their local religious organization.
Applicants shall submit two letters of personal reference from individuals familiar with the applicants work as a Catholic Spiritual Guide.
The spiritual guide shall have a minimum of three years of documented and continuous experience as a leader within the Catholic Church.
All Applicants must submit with their application a resume, and photocopies of documents evidencing education, training, and experience.
After review of these documents by Bureau of Prisons staff, applicants may be requested to submit additional documents for review.
Applicants failing to submit any of the required documents will be removed from further consideration for award.
Supplies and Equipment
All supplies that the applicant may need to perform services under this contract will be provided by FCI Milan. The applicant performing these services shall wear professional clothing in accordance with the dress policy of the institution.
Description of Duties
The Catholic Spiritual Guide shall be responsible for providing religious instruction and leadership for inmates who are active participants in the Residential Faith-Based Pre-release Program. The spiritual guide shall provide services utilizing LCP materials listed below.
General Topics for Catholic Spiritual Guide Services
1. Prayer
2. Advent (John the Baptist, Preparation Sermons and Jesus Birth, etc.)
3. Spirituality
4. Discipleship
5. Faithfulness
6. Lenten Themes (Jesus making his way to Jerusalem to include the Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion,
Death and Resurrection)
7. Ecumenism
8. Eucharist
9. Annual Lectionary Readings
10. Sacraments
11. Social Justice
12. Reconciliation
13. Seasons of the Church Year
14. Liturgy It s use and approach
15. The Transfiguration
16. Stewardship
17. Jesus Teaching on Judging Others
18. The Parables
19. The Healing of the Ten Lepers
20. Jesus Teaching on Judging Others
21. Healing of the Blind Man
22. Jesus Healing Ministry
23. The Stoning of Stephen
24. The Pentecost
25. Peter s Betrayal
26. The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
27. Jesus Teachings on Prayer
28. Jesus at the Temple
29. Jesus Baptism
30. Paul s Letters
31. Jesus Sends out the Twelve
32. Jesus Sermon on the Mount
33. What is the role of faith and Community Re-entry?
Classes shall consist of religious based instruction on the following topics; how to live with integrity, how to grow spiritually, how to be a spiritual leader, and any other subject mutually agreed upon by the spiritual guide and the COR. The Instructor will also be responsible to encourage the inmate s participation in all aspects of the LCP, i.e. journaling, discussion, accountability groups, service projects and victim impact discussion. The overall result of the instruction should be a reduction in recidivism and disciplinary programs.
These programs provide inmates with intensive opportunities for spiritual growth and deepening their religious roots by sharing common space and programs for the purpose of personal transformation and reducing recidivism. Inmates will participate in religion specific and inter-faith program components designed to bring restoration with God, family, community, and self. The program s design will increase religious tolerance and respect among inmates of various faiths; will connect each inmate with a spiritual mentor; and will link participants with a faith community at their release destination in order to enhance community reintegration. Another component of the program will initiate specific victim impact programs to assist inmates in claiming responsibility for their actions and making amends with victims, family, and community.
The program will enlist partnerships with individuals and organizations in its efforts to lower recidivism and facilitate spiritual growth and personal change. Volunteers, contractors, mentors, sponsoring religious congregations and organizations are all essential partners in the program.
The goal of the Residential Faith-based Pre-release Program is to provide inmates living in a shared living space with intensive opportunities for holistic life restoration for the purpose of reducing recidivism and enhancing prison management.
The spiritual guide will be monitored by the Supervisory Chaplain and Life Connections Chaplain. The spiritual guide shall attend all training required by the BOP for contract workers. The spiritual guide will not be permitted to attend institution meetings, staff recalls, or government training sessions for Institution staff on contract time or as a consideration of the contract. The spiritual guide may attend team meetings, departmental meetings, or other meetings relating to the involvement of the services to be provided by terms of the contract.
Some meetings will be required and accomplished on contract time.
The spiritual guide will be required to follow any and all applicable guidelines for the services to be provided. He/she will also maintain accountability of all Government furnished materials, supplies, and equipment. The spiritual guide will sign the provided log or sign-in sheet as documentation for sessions worked and for security purposes.
Method of Instruction
The spiritual guide will provide religious instruction based on their own expertise as it relates to the core curriculum materials. The spiritual guide will work closely with the Chaplain, and other program staff to assist in the development of the program and to gauge the progress of individual participants. Consultations will be held with the Supervisory Chaplain and Life Connections Chaplain as needed. Although the instruction will follow the tenants of Catholic teaching, the spiritual guide will also work with participants who follow other religions. The spiritual guide will analyze the effectiveness of each class taught in the LCP and suggest workable methods of improving them. The spiritual guide will also serve as a source for addressing faith specific (Catholic) issues within LCP. Selected spiritual guide will need to be proficient in the use of computers (Word, Excel, Internet, etc.) as this is an essential part of their duties as a Catholic Spiritual Guide.
Inmate Management
Provision of services will require frequent and unsupervised contact with inmates. The contract employee shall not be responsible for the management of any inmates, other than to ensure inmates involved within the contract s scope of work abide by all rules to ensure their safety and well-being. The spiritual guide may, at any time, be removed from the institution at the discretion of the Warden. The spiritual guide is to constantly be aware of security and maintain a professional relationship with inmates at all times. Any violation of the institution rules and regulations are to be brought immediately to the attention of any Government employee employed at the institution. The spiritual guide will be required to provide documentation to the COR, or designee, of any infractions of institutional rules and regulations by inmates for proper action.
Institution Security
The spiritual guide/contract employees shall agree to all regulations prescribed by the institution for the safety, custody, and conduct of inmates. The spiritual guide shall attend the Institution Familiarization Orientation program prior to assuming institution involvement.
Reimbursement to the spiritual guide for the time spent in the institution orientation or other specific security related training will be at the contract rate, prorated hourly. The contract employee will be required to sign in and out of the institution for accountability purposes.
A badge will be issued and worn at all times for proper identification.
Interested Candidates are requested to forward their resume together with two written references from individuals who can attest to the candidate s good work and steadiness as a Catholic Spiritual Guide and Leader as well as theCredentials of Religious Services Contractor included in this application and copies of diplomas evidencing their qualifications in this are. Candidates who do not possess at least three years of performing steadily as a Catholic Spiritual Guide in the parish or prison setting need not apply. This is a part-time position for 22 hours weekly with compensation based on budget and the successful candidate s experience and qualifications.