Chaplain

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

02Education

Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational qualifications as evidenced by a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (https://www.chea.org/) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (https://www.ats.edu/) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree may meet this requirement with an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains. This would include the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI. Endorsement: Applicants must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement and must be dated within the past 12 months.

A complete list of Ecclesiastical Organizations that the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes as Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations is available here: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Ecclesiastical_Endorsement.asp Note: Current VA Chaplains do not have to get updated endorsements after they are hired.

03Certification

Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain by the Board of Chaplaincy Certifications Inc. (BCCI), or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI.

Board Certification that requires four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is qualifying. https://www.apchaplains.org/bcci-site/ May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision.

All Chaplains employed in VHA under permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard (07/03/2025), are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/assignment held, including positive education and certification, where applicable.

For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the FPL, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

If an assignment above the FPL level requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be reassigned or promoted. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional certification(s) that meets all the basic or assignment-specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation.

04Grade Determinations

Chaplain, GS-12 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify at the GS-12 level you must possess at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Reference: GS-11 Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as a Full-Performance Level Chaplain. The chaplain independently serves as a primary resource and point of contact for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff.

The chaplain provides advance care planning education, information, and counsel for patients and their families. The chaplain provides guidance and/or support for patients to express values through processes such as: life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation. The chaplain develops pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven, and evidence-based in coordination with the department guidelines.

The chaplain provides pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, including but not limited to, moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties, justice or confinement matters, terminal diagnoses, or crisis. Specialty Certification: Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification.

You must possess a Specialty Certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the position being filled.

The list of Board Certifying Chaplain Organizations and Specialty Certifying Organization is located here: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Employment_Information_and_Resources.asp Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience and specialty certification requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty.

Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care. Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice. Skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of chaplain practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.

Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations. Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area. Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.

05Preferred Experience

The Ability to work cooperatively with chaplains of different faiths and genders. The ability to collaborate with a team of professionals of diverse disciplines and settings. The ability to provide care for people of various ages, cultures and ethnic groups. Board Certified Mental Health Specialty Certification through NAVAC National Association of Veteran's Affairs Chaplain Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

06Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

The Chaplain serves as a Senior Chaplain professional performing clinical assignments for the VHA. The incumbent provides comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to all persons that are commensurate with the needs, desires, and voluntary consent of the Veteran, caregiver, or staff. The incumbent addresses the spiritual component of health and wellness in every patient care setting to ensure that pastoral care is fully integrated into all aspects of chaplain services.

The Chaplain: serves as a Senior Chaplain standard functional statement to be used throughout the VHA. independently provides advanced spiritual care in one or more specialized clinical programs, which may include substance use disorder treatment, mental health, cancer care, hospice and palliative care, or other specialty settings.

This work includes intensive and extended pastoral counseling integrated into interdisciplinary treatment for Veterans experiencing complex moral, ethical, spiritual, or existential concerns.

Assignments may involve settings with limited onsite supervision within assigned areas of responsibility, the incumbent independently develops, implements, and evaluates specialized spiritual care programs, clinical practices, and curricula; assesses outcomes and clinical program effectiveness; and recommends or implements appropriate modifications to service delivery patterns. incorporates relevant research, evidence-informed practices, and quality improvement into program development and may lead clinical teams or interdisciplinary initiatives within delegated authority. aligns specialized chaplaincy programs with institutional objectives, collaborates with and advises interdisciplinary treatment team members, and promotes comprehensive, coordinated healthcare services for Veterans. ensures equitable access to spiritual care, respect for diverse religious and nonreligious beliefs, and delivery of high-quality patient-centered care. provides senior-level professional leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education for assigned chaplain staff, trainees, and interdisciplinary colleagues, as applicable.

These senior-level functions are performed independently within established policies and delegated responsibilities and are distinguished from routine chaplaincy services by their specialized complexity, program accountability, and institutional impact. may serve at a facility in a clinical setting, or a small healthcare system, satellite outpatient clinic, other federal agency, or Community Based Out-patient Clinic (CBOC) where there is limited access to onsite supervision. provides extended and intensive pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program with patients facing complex, ethical, moral, and spiritual issues. ensures program effectiveness and modification of service pattern, which includes research and leadership of clinical teams. practices typically in a specialized clinic/program area, that may include intensive and extended pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program, with patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual problems. serves as a Senior Chaplain representative and a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team (IDT).

Advises and collaborates with other members of the IDT to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans. works with a full understanding of Chaplains' relationships to the objectives of VHA to successfully integrate the work of the medical facility's staff.

Collaborates with and advises the other members of the IDT in the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans. maintains effective rapport with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved with the IDT. ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to Veterans and provides the highest quality of care.

Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs. serves as a primary Chaplain resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff.

Conducts comprehensive religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services. leads various complex and sensitive projects, task groups, and assignments to obtain pertinent high-level information needed for Chaplain Service management officials. Duties are continued in the Education Section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Telework Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 56588-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized