Volunteers are always welcome:

Regular volunteers — Persons wishing to become volunteer staff on a regular basis (beyond an event or two) with our chaplaincy must be willing to submit to a background check and fingerprinting at their expense; through the sheriff’s office of the county where they reside.

Persons with finalized court dispositions, and completed probation and or parole requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Factors included would be the capacity in which the person wished to serve, the nature of offense(s), time since the incident(s), and recommendations of community leaders who have known you for at least several years.

All staff (paid and volunteers) should be tactful and considerate in approaching people regardless of race, sex, creed, orientation, religion, or other socio-economic indicators.

Chaplain candidates — Persons wishing to join our team as a chaplain must have the written recommendation of the senior clergy member from their house of worship, be willing to submit to the above background check, and complete the required academic and field training below.

Chaplain Training Requirements:

Completion of one of these three programs within 180 days of appointment (at the candidate’s expense); with preference to those who have already completed one of these, or a similarly nationally recognized programs.

Pastoral Crisis Intervention I and II – https://icisf.org/pastoral-crisis-intervention-i-ii/

Billy Graham Rapid Response Chaplain Training – https://rrt.billygraham.org/chaplain-training/

Clinical Pastoral Education (minimum of 1 unit) – https://acpe.edu/education/cpe-students

In addition, chaplain candidates must complete a minimum of 80 hours of field training with a current Smoky Mountains Chaplaincy program chaplain.

Persons who have completed a formal seminary-type program, and or have been ordained by their house of worship, may receive an extension on the above requirements.

This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, based on the totality of the education and work experience combination.

For example: if you have spent time in a pastoral or chaplain role dealing with stressful situations that military veterans, first responders, and critical care medical/hospice personnel deal with on a regular basis; that time will be considered.