- Position Title
- Chaplain
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSR-12261833-24-RBW Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, January 2, 2024 to Tuesday, February 13, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
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.
Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
- Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
Accuracy of Application Reminder:
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
Assessment 1
Basic Requirements for the position of Chaplain GS-0060
Thank you for your interest in the Chaplain position with the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Please answer the following questions by selecting the most appropriate response. NOTE: You must submit the documentation to verify your eligibility as indicated below. Failure to provide the documents will render you not eligible for consideration. (PLEASE NOTE: Qualifying specialized experience must be noted in Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week). Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume.
MERIT PROMOTION DOCUMENTATION REMINDER - If you are a current, permanent VA employee, you must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action." The SF-50 must identify your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on that grade, you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade IN ADDITION to your last or most recent SF-50 indicating proof of status.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Education Requirement - You 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. 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.
Do you meet the education requirement as described above?
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. 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.
Do you meet the education requirement as described above?
2.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - You 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
Do you meet the CPE requirement as described above?
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the CPE requirement in application packet
Do you meet the CPE requirement as described above?
3.
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 (https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Employment_Information_and_Resources.asp)
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the CPE requirement in application packet
Do you meet the Ecclesiastical Endorsement requirement as described above?
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the CPE requirement in application packet
Do you meet the Ecclesiastical Endorsement requirement as described above?
4.
Board Certification - You 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 (GS-9). For the journey level (GS-11) and above, you 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.
Do you meet the Board Certification requirement as described above?
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 (GS-9). For the journey level (GS-11) and above, you 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.
Do you meet the Board Certification requirement as described above?
5.
Minimum Requirement for GS-9 Level
Experience - In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Experience - In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided.
- Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care.
- Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization.
- Skill in healthcare team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues.
- Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff.
- Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families; providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care.
- Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgrounds.
6.
Minimum Requirement for GS-11 Level
Experience - You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level that is directly related to the position being filled. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Experience - You must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level that is directly related to the position being filled. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Knowledge of advance care planning to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families.
- Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
- Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven and evidenced based within the department guidelines.
- 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.
- Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support.
- 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.
- 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.
Minimum Requirement for GS-12 Level
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
7.
Specialty Certification - You must have a specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment. Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification and is required for the GS-12 grade level
Accepted Specialty Certifications from one of the BCC Bodies Required for GS-12 Chaplain
- Association of Certified Christian Chaplains (ACCC):
- Grief Recovery Method Specialist: ACCC Grief Support Specialization - Association of Certified Christian Chaplains (certifiedchaplains.org)
- Association of Professional Chaplains (APC):
- Palliative Care & Hospice: https://bcci.professionalchaplains.org/content.asp?admin=Y&pl=42&sl=42&contentid=
- National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC):
- Palliative Care & Hospice: Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification (PCHAC) - The National Association of Catholic Chaplains (nacc.org)
8.
Experience -For the GS-12 grade level, do you 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.&Hold a specialty certification that demonstrates advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification. Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment.In addition, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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.&Hold a specialty certification that demonstrates advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification. Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment.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.
MERIT PROMOTION DOCUMENTATION REMINDER - If you are a current, permanent VA employee, you must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action." The SF-50 must identify your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on that grade, you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade IN ADDITION to your last or most recent SF-50 indicating proof of status.