Supervisory Chaplain

Veterans Health Administration • Leavenworth, KS

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Chaplain Service. It provides services across settings that include Veterans Integrated Service Networks, inpatient and outpatient clinics, and domiciliaries throughout the United States. The Supervisory Chaplain performs supervisory and senior clinical assignments, providing comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care in accordance with the needs, wishes, and voluntary consent of Veterans, caregivers, and staff. The role addresses the spiritual component of health and wellness across patient-care settings and integrates pastoral care into chaplain services.

The incumbent manages a moderately complex to very complex chaplain service program, including specialty chaplain services, and supervises professional staff at GS-12 or below. The position also oversees administrative, clinical, educational, personnel, policy, and budget functions. It provides religious services, pastoral ministry, spiritual consultation, crisis support, and guidance to facility leadership and other stakeholders.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The role is at the GS-13 grade level, with a full performance level of GS-11. Employment requires a two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable law.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate-level theological degree from an appropriately accredited institution, or an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized chaplain board-certification body.
• A full and active ecclesiastical endorsement from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's faith group or denomination, dated within the past 12 months; the endorsement must be maintained during employment.
• Board certification as a chaplain through BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with a reciprocity agreement with BCCI; certification requiring four units of CPE qualifies. Provisional, associate, or candidate status does not satisfy this requirement.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade for the GS-13 Supervisory Chaplain grade.
• Knowledge of administrative, personnel, and resource management and strategic planning for chaplaincy and chaplain pastoral education programs.
• Ability to perform supervisory duties, including work assignment, performance evaluation, staff selection, and recommendations concerning awards, advancement, and discipline.
• Interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills, including the ability to collaborate with managers in other departments.
• Ability to develop local policy, productivity, and clinical practice standards.
• Ability to align chaplaincy services and programming with facility, VISN, and VHA strategic goals and objectives.
• Ability to ensure chaplaincy practice, policy, and accreditation compliance across the continuum of health care.
• Skill in consulting with facility leadership, managers, and staff on religious expression and spiritual care.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, required onboarding and identification documentation, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Serve a two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon its completion.
• Able to meaningfully engage with Veteran patients and family members by walking and moving within the healthcare setting, or using an assistive device; must speak, hear (hearing aid permitted), and work closely with others.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive religious ministry and pastoral care to Veteran patients according to their needs and wishes.
• Provide guidance and advice to Chaplain Service management, other chaplains, and stakeholders.
• Supervise a major faith ministry chaplaincy program integrated into the VHA Chaplain program.
• Manage and supervise the full range of chaplaincy service operations and professional staff at GS-12 or below.
• Manage chaplaincy services that may include specialty programs such as hospice and palliative care, suicide prevention, mental health, substance use disorder, cancer treatment, women's health, and spinal cord injury.
• Oversee religious and spiritual care and advise facility leadership concerning religious expression.
• Develop local policy, productivity requirements, and clinical practice standards.
• Develop subprograms such as training, research, community relationships, or religious education in support of the religious program and facility mission.
• Supervise departmental administrative functions, including clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management, budget management, and policy and standards development.
• Maintain program records, supplies, and religious equipment, and track and maintain the program budget.
• Serve as a chaplain resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for patients, caregivers, and staff.
• Conduct religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of chaplain services.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization as required.
• Support individuals during unit emergencies, natural or man-made disasters, and planned special events.

Benefits

• The job announcement states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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