Supervisory Chaplain (Service Chief)

Quick Facts

• Full-time position (40 hours/week), Monday–Friday
• Supervisory Chaplain professional providing senior clinical and administrative assignments

Description

Serve as the Supervisory Chaplain (Service Chief) providing comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to Veterans, caregivers, and staff, integrating spiritual care into all aspects of chaplain services. Manage and supervise a chaplain service program, including religious/spiritual care delivery, local policy and productivity/clinical practice standards, staffing evaluations and recommendations, and budget/resource management. Act as a key administrative staff member and partner with interdisciplinary teams and facility leadership to align chaplaincy services with strategic goals and accreditation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage a moderately complex to very complex chaplain service program
• Supervise the professional practice of facility chaplains; oversee chaplaincy services and programming
• Oversee all religious and spiritual care and advise facility leadership regarding religious expression
• Develop local policy, productivity, and clinical practice standards
• Provide supervision with responsibility for work assignments, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendations on awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions
• Maintain records, supplies, and religious equipment; track and maintain the program budget
• Maintain chapel space; oversee distribution of space, inventory, and resources for spiritual care, education, and programming
• Support units for emergencies, natural disasters, man-made disasters, or planned special events
• Conduct regular rounds of hospital wards for critically ill patients
• Guide patients in values expression (life review, oral history, end-of-life preparation and documentation)
• Administer ordinances/rites/sacraments; prepare and deliver sermons; arrange worship atmosphere and symbolism; conduct funeral services when needed
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally to prepare chaplain service policies and practice guidelines
• Participate as a recognized expert on interdisciplinary treatment teams (IDT)
• Participate in decision-making conferences with other program heads and the facility administrator

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Selective Service registration (for males born after 12/31/1959)
• Proficient in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Master of Divinity (or equivalent graduate-level theological degree from an accredited program)
• Full and active ecclesiastical endorsement dated within the past 12 months
• Board-certified chaplain credential (BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with reciprocity with BCCI); certification requiring 4 units of CPE qualifies
• Complete VA onboarding and all required application documentation
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program
• Demonstrate GS-13 supervisory KSAs: administrative/personnel/resource management and strategic planning; full range of supervisory responsibilities; conflict resolution and collaboration; ability to develop local policy/standards; alignment with facility/VISN/VHA strategic goals; compliance with chaplaincy practice, policy, and accreditation standards

Benefits

Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on the position type and status.