- Position Title
- Chaplain - Catholic Priest
- Agency
- Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSY-10966660-21-GLH Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, November 17, 2020 to Monday, December 7, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you currently employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
2.
Are you an employee of the facility indicated for this position?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
Preferences
1.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Assessment 1
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
English Language Proficiency Requirement:
Applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement for positions in this occupation. To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, or to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Are you proficient at speaking and writing in the English language?
Applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement for positions in this occupation. To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, or to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Are you proficient at speaking and writing in the English language?
2.
Education Requirement:
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 (Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI or Equivalency)
COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.
Do you meet the education requirement as described above?
.
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 (Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI or Equivalency)
COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.
Do you meet the education requirement as described above?
.
3.
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.
CPE Accepted Documents: The document is either the cover page to the final evaluation summary of a CPE unit or the certificate of a CPE unit. Currently only Association for CPE (ACPE) CPEs and Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT) CPE Units are accredited by the US Department of Education.
CPE Documentation Must Be Provided In Application Packet
Do you meet the CPE requirement as described above?
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.
CPE Accepted Documents: The document is either the cover page to the final evaluation summary of a CPE unit or the certificate of a CPE unit. Currently only Association for CPE (ACPE) CPEs and Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT) CPE Units are accredited by the US Department of Education.
CPE Documentation Must Be Provided In Application Packet
Do you meet the CPE requirement as described above?
4.
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
COPY OF ECCLISIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT REQUIRED
Do you meet the ecclesiastical endorsement requirement as described above?
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
COPY OF ECCLISIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT REQUIRED
Do you meet the ecclesiastical endorsement requirement as described above?
5.
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 ®.
Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years. This exception only applies at the entry level. For the journey level and above, the candidate must have board certification. At the time of appointment, the supervisor in collaboration with Human Resources, will provide the uncertified chaplain with the written requirements for obtaining certification, the date by which the certification must by acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. Temporary graduate chaplain appointments may not be extended beyond two years and may not be converted to a new temporary appointment in this occupation.
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 ®.
Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years. This exception only applies at the entry level. For the journey level and above, the candidate must have board certification. At the time of appointment, the supervisor in collaboration with Human Resources, will provide the uncertified chaplain with the written requirements for obtaining certification, the date by which the certification must by acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. Temporary graduate chaplain appointments may not be extended beyond two years and may not be converted to a new temporary appointment in this occupation.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
6.
Minimum Requirements:
GS-9 Entry Level
In addition to the basic requirements, Chaplain must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
i. Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided.
ii. Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care.
iii. Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization.
iv. Skill in healthcare team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues.
v. Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff.
vi. Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families; providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care.
vii. Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients.
viii. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgrounds.
Does your resume demonstrate that you meet or exceed the above minimum requirement KSA's?
GS-9 Entry Level
In addition to the basic requirements, Chaplain must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
i. Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided.
ii. Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care.
iii. Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization.
iv. Skill in healthcare team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues.
v. Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff.
vi. Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families; providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care.
vii. Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients.
viii. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgrounds.
Does your resume demonstrate that you meet or exceed the above minimum requirement KSA's?
7.
Specialized Experience for GS-11 (Full Performance) Level:
Experience: Promotion or appointment to the GS-11 full performance level requires one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 level that is directly related to the position to be filled.
Board Certification: 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 ®.
In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of advance care planning to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families.
ii. Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
iii. Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven and evidenced based within the department guidelines.
iv. Skill in counseling on medical and ethical issues, terminal diagnoses or crises, moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties and justice or confinement matters. v. Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support.
vi. Ability to educate and equip healthcare staff and trainees screening for spiritual and religious needs of patients and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress.
vii. Knowledge of community needs to coordinate with community organizations to provide comprehensive spiritual care, utilizing outside community resources to meet the religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staff.
Does your resume demonstrate that you meet the experience as described in the paragraph above?
Experience: Promotion or appointment to the GS-11 full performance level requires one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 level that is directly related to the position to be filled.
Board Certification: 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 ®.
In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of advance care planning to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families.
ii. Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
iii. Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven and evidenced based within the department guidelines.
iv. Skill in counseling on medical and ethical issues, terminal diagnoses or crises, moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties and justice or confinement matters. v. Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support.
vi. Ability to educate and equip healthcare staff and trainees screening for spiritual and religious needs of patients and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress.
vii. Knowledge of community needs to coordinate with community organizations to provide comprehensive spiritual care, utilizing outside community resources to meet the religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staff.
Does your resume demonstrate that you meet the experience as described in the paragraph above?
TRANSCRIPT REMINDER: You must submit a copy of your transcripts (official or unofficial) or an appropriate course listing with your application.
RESUME REMINDER: Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Month/Day/Year start and end dates (e.g. June 2017 to April 2019) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Duties (be as detailed as possible.)
Your resume must also demonstrate that you meet the KSAs listed for the grade at which you qualify.
Your resume must also demonstrate that you meet the KSAs listed for the grade at which you qualify.
SF50 Reminder: You MUST provide your most recent (Non award) SF-50 that shows your current status as a current permanent VA employee
APPLICATION REMINDER: You MUST provide a current, signed and completed VAF-10-2850c (within the past 12 months), Application for Associated Health Occupations. Failure to provide this form may result in your not being considered for this position. Please see the vacancy announcement, under the Required Documents section, for detailed information.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE): Your application packet must include verification of completion of four units of CPE from a CPE center that is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
CPE Accepted Documents: The document is either the cover page to the final evaluation summary of a CPE unit or the certificate of a CPE unit. Currently only Association for CPE (ACPE) CPEs and Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT) CPE Units are accredited by the US Department of Education.
CPE Accepted Documents: The document is either the cover page to the final evaluation summary of a CPE unit or the certificate of a CPE unit. Currently only Association for CPE (ACPE) CPEs and Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT) CPE Units are accredited by the US Department of Education.
Ecclesiastical Endorsement: You must submit a copy of you Ecclesiastical Endorsement - signed with the past 12 months.