Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/09/2026.

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 equivalent educational qualifications as evidenced by a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or 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 (such as the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc
• (BCCI) or nationally recognized certification body that utilizes the BCCI Common Qualifications and Competencies for Professional Chaplaincy or a certifying organization that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI .)NOTE on foreign education: To be creditable, theological or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) listed at https://www.naces.org/members
• Copy verification must be provided
• *Must include supporting documentation verifying the educational requirement in application packet*
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
• Applicants must have completed four units of CPE from a CPE center that is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• *Must include supporting documentation verifying the CPE requirement in application packet.* Ecclesiastical Endorsement
• In accordance with 38 C.F.R
• 17.655, ecclesiastical endorsement is a condition of employment as a VA chaplain
• An individual must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement to be employed as a VA chaplain
• Applicants must have an ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months
• Ecclesiastical endorsements must be from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's/employee's faith group or denomination
• Ecclesiastical endorsement is a written official statement, by the official national endorsing body of the faith group or denomination, certifying that the applicant is in good standing with the applicant's faith group or denomination
• and stating that the individual is, in the opinion of the endorsing body, qualified to perform the full range of ministry required in the VA pluralistic setting
• Loss of endorsement will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment
• The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved endorsing organizations that can be found here: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Employment_Information_and_Resources.asp *Must include supporting documentation verifying the ecclesiastical endorsement requirement in application packet.* Board Certification
• Applicants must be a Board Certified Chaplain certified by the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc
• (BCCI) or nationally recognized certification body that utilizes the BCCI Common Qualifications and Competencies for Professional Chaplaincy or a certifying organization that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI
• *Must include supporting documentation verifying the board certification requirement in application packet.* English Language Proficiency
• Chaplains must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations:GS-12 Experience: For the GS-12 grade level, you must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-11) that is directly related to the position to be filled
• To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics, also referred to as core competencies
• be associated with the scope of chaplain practice equivalent to at least the next lower grade level
• be directly related to the position being filled
• and may be paid or non-paid employment
• Examples of experience may include independently serves as a primary resource and point of contact for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers and staff
• providing advance care planning education, information, and counsel for patients and their families
• providing guidance and/or support for patients to express values through processes such as life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation
• developing pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven, and evidence-based in coordination with the department guidelines
• providing pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, including but not limited to, moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties, justice or confinement matters, terminal diagnoses, or crisis
• and, supporting the development of staff resiliency by providing emotional and spiritual support and compassionate presence and develops programs for staff development and wellness
• AND Specialty Certification: You must hold a specialty certification
• Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification and is required for the GS-12 grade level
• Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment
• See Education section more more information regarding specialty certification *Must provide copy of specialty certification in application packet* AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty
• Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care
• Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice
• Skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of chaplain practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes
• Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations
• Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area
• Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area
• Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week
• Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities
• Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment
• 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
• For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.