Chaplain (GS-12)

Quick Facts

• Position: GS-12 Chaplain (Full-time)

• Work schedule: 0730–1600

• Telework: Not available

• Virtual: Not available

• Travel/coverage: Occasional travel between Fort Meade, Hot Springs, and CBOCs (up to ~1 day/week)

Description

Provide comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to Veterans, caregivers, and staff based on needs, desires, and voluntary consent. Serve as an integrated Chaplain professional within the VA Chaplain program and as a recognized member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, delivering intensive counseling for complex ethical, moral, and spiritual concerns. Lead worship and religious services, offer spiritual guidance and counseling during crises, and advise/mentor stakeholders on advanced spiritual care interventions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive ministry services aligned with patients’ needs and voluntary consent

• Provide extended and intensive pastoral counseling as part of treatment for complex ethical, moral, and spiritual concerns

• Collaborate with and advise interdisciplinary treatment teams to support comprehensive healthcare services

• Conduct comprehensive religious services, worship, pastoral ministry, and chaplaincy administration

• Lead prayer and religious services, including rituals requiring public speaking and effective leadership

• Address religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical problems; conduct rounds of critical-care wards

• Provide advance care planning education and counseling to patients and families

• Ensure equitable access to spiritual care and protect patients from proselytizing or coercion

• Lead complex and sensitive projects/task groups; provide chaplaincy input to treatment conferences

• Train, coach, and supervise volunteer assistants; provide guidance to other Chaplains

• Lead clinical teams through orientation, in-service training, coaching, and continuing education

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Master of Divinity (or equivalent graduate-level theological degree) from an accredited institution (or approved equivalency review)

• Active full ecclesiastical endorsement dated within the last 12 months

• Board-certified chaplain (BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with reciprocity; board certification requiring 4 units of CPE is qualifying)

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Subject to background/security investigation and pre-employment physical examination

• Selective Service registration (for eligible males)

• Complete required onboarding and application documents; submit transcript

• Meet VA employment conditions, including the required 1–2 year trial period and seasonal influenza vaccination

Benefits

A federal government benefits package for eligible full-time employees, including benefits available to you and your family (eligibility depends on position type).