Chaplain

Veterans Health Administration • Walla Walla, WA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Chaplain provides religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their needs and preferences, and serves as a primary spiritual resource and point of contact for patients, caregivers, and staff. The role includes conducting religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, counseling, and administration of Chaplain services. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-11, with selection possible at GS-9 through GS-11.

At the GS-11 level, the Chaplain provides prayers and religious services for Veteran patients, families, staff, and the community; offers counseling and crisis intervention; and participates as a recognized member of an integrated multidisciplinary treatment team. The Chaplain collaborates with healthcare teams on treatment plans addressing spiritual distress, grief, and loss, and provides pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, moral injury, conscience, family or marital difficulties, justice or confinement matters, terminal diagnoses, and crises. The role also includes advance care planning, life review and end-of-life preparation, and developing measurable, outcome-driven, evidence-based pastoral care and staff wellness programs.

The Chaplain provides worship services and religious instruction for a major faith group, administers ordinances, rites, or sacraments, prepares and delivers sermons, arranges worship settings, and conducts funerals when needed. The role supports staff resilience and educates healthcare staff and trainees about spiritual and religious screening and referrals. The Chaplain coordinates with community organizations and outside resources when needed to meet patients’ religious and spiritual needs.

The position is scheduled Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; work hours are described as flexible. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate-level theological education from an appropriately accredited institution; an approved educational equivalency review may be accepted. Transcripts with confer date are required.
• A full and active ecclesiastical endorsement from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant’s faith group or denomination; endorsement must be dated within the past 12 months and maintained during employment.
• Board certification as a Chaplain by BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with a reciprocity agreement with BCCI. For the stated exception, non-board-certified applicants must provide proof of four units of CPE and may be appointed temporarily at entry level under the specified conditions.
• For GS-11, one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-9, directly related to the position, and demonstration of the stated GS-9 and GS-11 knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-9, no experience beyond the basic requirements is specified, but the candidate must demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated by a current NACES affiliate and deemed equivalent to a conventional U.S. program.
• Registration with Selective Service is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation; selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must complete the application requirements in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with the Veteran population is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary spiritual resource, advisor, and point of contact for patients, caregivers, and staff.
• Lead and offer prayers and religious services for Veteran patients, their families, staff, and the community.
• Provide counseling to patients and staff, including pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, moral injury, conscience, family or marital difficulties, justice or confinement matters, terminal diagnoses, and crises.
• Participate as a recognized member of an integrated multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Develop measurable, outcome-driven, evidence-based pastoral care programs within department guidelines.
• Create staff development, wellness, and resiliency programs, providing spiritual and emotional support.
• Provide religious worship services and instruction for a major faith group, individually or in groups.
• Administer ordinances, rites, or sacraments; prepare and deliver sermons; arrange worship settings; and conduct funerals when needed.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization as required.
• Collaborate with healthcare teams to create and update treatment plans addressing spiritual distress, grief, and loss.
• Educate, inform, and counsel patients and families about advance care planning; guide patients in expressing values through life review, oral history, and end-of-life preparation and documentation.
• Educate healthcare staff and trainees about screening for spiritual and religious needs and appropriate referrals to chaplains.
• Coordinate with community organizations and outside resources to meet patients’ spiritual and religious needs when chaplain staff cannot meet them.
• Ensure patients and staff can exercise their religion freely and coordinate religious services in respect of individual faith traditions.
• Conduct spiritual assessments, document services, develop pastoral care plans, and provide referrals for continuity of spiritual care.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level