Supervisory Chaplain

Summary This position serves as the Supervisory Chaplain professional performing supervisory and senior clinical assignments for the VHA. They provide religious - spiritual - and pastoral care to all persons that are commensurate with the needs - desires - and voluntary consent of the Veteran - caregiver - or staff. They address 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. Qualifications Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Applicants must possess a Master of Divinity degree or an equivalent educational qualification as evidenced by a graduate‑level theological degree from a college, university, or theological school accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NOTE: For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree, an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains is acceptable. Ecclesiastical Endorsement: In accordance with 38 C.F.R. §17.655, an ecclesiastical endorsement is a condition of employment as a VA chaplain. An individual must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement dated within the past 12 months, issued by the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's faith group or denomination. Loss of endorsement will result in removal from the GS‑0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. Board Certification: Applicants must be a board‑certified chaplain certified by BCCI® or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI®. Certification requiring 4 units of CPE is qualifying. Acceptable certifying bodies include: Association of Certified Christian Chaplains, Association of Professional Chaplains®, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Neshama Association of Jewish Chaplains, National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains, and Spiritual Care Association. Foreign Education: Education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and deemed at least equivalent to a U.S. program. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Supervisory Chaplain – GS‑13. Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Knowledge of administrative, personnel, and resource management and strategic planning for chaplaincy and chaplain pastoral education programs. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, including assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with managers from other departments. Ability to develop local policy, productivity, and clinical practice standards. Ability to align chaplaincy services and programming with the strategic goals and objectives of the facility, VISN, and VHA. Ability to ensure compliance with chaplaincy practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on all religious expression and spiritual care. Preferred Experience Graduate‑level theological education (e.g., M.Div.). Leadership experience in chaplain program administration and supervisory experience mentoring staff and trainees. Active participation in interdisciplinary teams. Expertise in specialized spiritual care and crisis counseling. Physical Requirements This position requires the Chaplain to meaningfully engage with Veteran patients and family members by walking and moving within the healthcare setting or with the incumbent using an assistive device. The Chaplain is required to speak, hear (hearing aid permitted), and work closely with others. Duties Provides supervision for the chaplaincy program. Manages a moderately complex to very complex chaplain service program with identified specialty chaplains working in Hospice and Palliative Care, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Residential and Outpatient programs, Substance Use Disorder Clinics, Cancer Treatment Clinics, Women’s Health Clinics, Spinal Cord Injury Clinics, and related specialty areas. Manages and oversees all religious and spiritual care and provides counsel to facility leadership concerning religious expression. Develops local policy, productivity, and clinical practice standards. Oversees pastoral ministry, including intensive pastoral counseling and close integral working relationships with other staff disciplines, and active community liaison. Serves as the Supervisory Chaplain expert participant with other specialists as a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team. Develops one or more subprograms (training, research, community relationships, or religious education) to advance the religious program and the mission of the medical facility. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, establishes and adjusts short‑term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Supervises all administrative functions of the department, such as clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management, budget management, development of policy, and clinical practice standards. 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. Serves as Supervisory Chaplain representative in specialty clinics such as inpatient/outpatient mental health, substance use disorder clinics, hospice, palliative care, grief and bereavement clinics, women’s health clinics, cancer treatment centers, spinal cord/Polytrauma units, pain clinics, infectious disease clinics, whole health clinics/programs, and related areas. Work Schedule Monday through Friday 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework – Ad Hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs