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Supervisory Chaplain

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Amarillo VA Health Care System

Summary

The Supervisory Chaplain serves as Service (Department) Chief and provides pastoral counseling and treatment to Veteran patients, patient's families, and staff in various inpatient and outpatient settings. The Supervisory Chaplain provides comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to all persons that are commensurate with the needs, desires, and voluntary consent of the Veteran, caregiver, or staff.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/22/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 22, 2026
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Yes—This is an onsite position. Telework may be offered when deemed necessary by the department AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable).
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$106,437 - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CAZM-12980327-26-JLH
Control number
872547600

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Duties

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The Supervisory Chaplain addresses the spiritual component of health and wellness in every patient care setting to ensure that pastoral care is fully integrated into all aspects of chaplain services.

The Supervisory Chaplain:

  • Serves as the Supervisory Chaplain professional providing comprehensive, religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desires.
  • Provides thorough guidance and advice to Chaplain Service management staff, other Chaplains, and other stakeholders. Provides supervision for the chaplaincy program of a major faith ministry which is highly integrated into VHA's Chaplain program.
  • Manages and supervises the full spectrum of chaplaincy service operations. Supervises non-supervisory and supervisory professional staff at the GS-12 level or below.
  • Manages a moderately complex to very complex chaplain service program with identified specialty chaplains working in (Hospice and Palliative Care, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Residential and Outpatient programs, Substance Use Disorder Clinics, Cancer Treatment Clinics, Women's Health Clinics, Spinal Cord Injury Clinics, etc.
  • Performs supervisory and non-supervisory assignments consisting of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety.
  • Supervises the professional practice of all facility chaplains and provides chaplaincy services and programming. Manages and oversees all religious and spiritual care and provides counsel to facility leadership concerning religious expression. Develops local policy, productivity, and clinical practice standards.
  • Oversees a chaplaincy program at this level is carefully integrated throughout the total care and treatment program to further the mission of the VHA facility.
  • Oversees pastoral ministry, including intensive pastoral counseling, close integral working relationships with other staff disciplines, and active community liaison.
  • Serves as the Supervisory Chaplain expert participant with other specialists as a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team (IDT).
  • Serves as an active participant and a key administrative staff member of the organization with VHA's leadership.
  • Engages with other program heads and the VHA facility's administrator in decision making conferences concerning policies, practices, and regulations affecting the care and treatment program of the facility.
  • Carries out full program responsibility with professional independence, while subject to only administrative controls from immediate supervisor.
  • Supervises subordinate chaplains and/or visiting assistants.
  • Develops one or more subprograms (training, research, community relationships, or religious education if in relationship to the intensive overall treatment program), to advance the religious program and the mission of the medical facility.
  • Works in difficult environmental settings that require considerably more than a working knowledge of the behavioral sciences; and understands and effectively addresses highly sensitive issues
  • Provides supervision with full responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
  • Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, establishes and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.
  • Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees.
  • Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; and recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions.
  • Supervises all administrative functions of the department, such as clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management, budget management, development of policy, and clinical practice standards.
  • Maintains records, supplies, and religious equipment for the assigned program; and tracks and maintains the program's budget.
Duties are continued in Education Section.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 07:30 AM - 4:00 PM or 07:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework may be available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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.
  • English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Education: 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.
  • 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:

    VA National Chaplain Service

  • Board Certification. (1) Certification. Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain certified by BCCI ® or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI ®. Board Certification that requires 4 units of CPE is qualifying. The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved certifications found on the National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint:

    VA National Chaplain Service

    .
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

(2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of administrative, personnel, and resource management and strategic planning for chaplaincy and chaplain pastoral education programs.
  • Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which include responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff and recommendation of awards, advancements and disciplinary actions.
  • Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with managers from other departments.
  • Ability to develop local policy, productivity and clinical practice standards.
  • Ability to align chaplaincy services and programming with the strategic goals and objectives of the facility, VISN, and VHA.
  • Ability to ensure compliance with chaplaincy practice, policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.
Preferred Experience:
  • Demonstrated experience providing leadership, direction, and supervision within a chaplaincy or spiritual care department, including responsibility for staff assignment, evaluation, coaching, disciplinary recommendations, and the development or oversight of sub-programs such as training, community partnerships, pastoral education, or specialized ministry.
  • Experience managing a moderately complex to very complex chaplain service with multiple specialty chaplains (e.g., Mental Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, Suicide Prevention, SUD, Women's Health, Cancer Care, Spinal Cord Injury) and ensuring integrated spiritual care across inpatient, outpatient, and specialty programs.
  • Demonstrated ability to function as a fully recognized member of interdisciplinary treatment teams, providing expert consultation to clinical staff, leadership, and stakeholders on spiritual care, ethical concerns, religious accommodation, and holistic care planning.
  • Experience developing, implementing, or maintaining chaplaincy policies, productivity standards, performance metrics, accreditation compliance, and strategic planning aligned with VHA or comparable organizational goals.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

Education

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was 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 at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the US Department of Education website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Duties Continued:

  • Aligns local chaplaincy services and programming with the strategic goals and objectives of all levels of the agency, department, or organization.
  • Ensures compliance with chaplaincy practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.
  • Provides consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on all religious expression and spiritual care.
  • Establishes performance and productivity metrics and productivity outcomes, organizational plans, and staff development issues.
  • Ensures compliance with agency and accreditation requirements and sets the strategic direction of the service.
  • Maintains chapel space and oversees the distribution of space, inventory, and resources needed for providing spiritual care, education, and programming.
  • Assesses the spiritual and religious needs of the organization.
  • Ensures the religious needs of patients are met through partnerships with community religious leaders and organizations, and community, state, and federal agencies.
  • Builds strong interpersonal relationships with patients and ensures all patients are provided opportunities for the free exercise of religion and protects against proselytizing.
  • Ensures various complex assignments are carried out in a pluralistic environment, which encompasses sensitivity to the religious needs of many separate religious denominations and faith groups.
  • Identifies other Chaplains, religious leaders, and/or persons from the community to provide patients' religious needs if necessary.
  • Uses thorough knowledge of different faiths to perform various religious rituals, lead prayers, and answer spiritual questions.
  • Performs assignments subject only to the administrative controls provided by the incumbent's supervisor.
  • Performs functions usually with the assistance of and provides supervision to one or two subordinate staff chaplains and/or visiting seminarians, local clergy, and volunteer groups.
  • Uses effective administrative and supervisory skills and a good operating knowledge of the organization, regulations, practices, and program goals of the Chaplain Service and VHA concerning the incumbent's program.
  • Uses thorough knowledge of administrative, personnel, resource management, and strategic planning for chaplaincy and chaplain pastoral education programs.
  • Uses effective skills in interpersonal relationships including conflict resolution and skills to work collaboratively with managers from other parts of the medical facility.
  • May serve at a facility in a clinical setting, or a small healthcare system, satellite outpatient clinic, other federal agency, or Community Based Out-patient Clinic (CBOC) where there is limited access to onsite supervision.
  • Ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to Veterans and provides the highest quality of care.
  • Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs.
  • Serves as a primary Chaplain resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff.
  • Conducts comprehensive religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services.
  • Engages as a senior spiritual leader, a compassionate listener and counselor, especially during times of crisis.
  • Provides emotional support and counseling using empathy and strong interpersonal skills to effectively connect with people of all ages. Provides crisis intervention and stabilization as required.
  • Provides support to individual(s) for unit emergencies, natural disasters, man-made disasters, or planned special events.
  • Uses a sound working knowledge of Chaplain expertise and the behavioral sciences to increase the understanding of human behavior, including familiarity with psychiatric and clinical terminology.
  • Provides thorough spiritual leadership, offers prayers and provides overall religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff, and community.
  • Conducts rituals before groups of people, which requires effective leadership and public speaking skills. Uses sound guidance and advice to lead prayer and religious services.
  • Addresses the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical problems of patients and staff.
  • Provides effective counseling services to patients and staff.
  • Conducts regular rounds of hospital wards where patients are critically ill.
  • Ministers to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative patients, the critically ill, and the families of concerned Veteran patients.
Duties are continued in Additional Information Section.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Duties Continued:

  • Serves as Supervisory Chaplain representative in specialty clinics such as Inpatient/ Outpatient Mental Health, Inpatient/Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Clinics, Hospice, and Palliative Care, Grief and Bereavement Clinics, Women's Health Clinics, Cancer Treatment Centers, Spinal Cord/Polytrauma units, Pain clinics, Infectious Disease Clinics, Whole Health Clinics/Programs, etc.
  • Provides guidance and support for patients to express values through processes such as life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
  • Maintains records and appropriately documents chaplaincy care services in the Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM) system/Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) through either service approved template or Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) note format.
  • Provides pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, including moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties, terminal diagnoses, or crises.
  • Addresses fears that patients have when facing surgery.
  • Answers questions regarding the meaning of life when confronted with the reality of pain, illness, permanent disfigurement, crippling, or death.
  • Conducts spiritual assessments to identify patients' strengths and needs.
  • Creates plans for care in response to the moral injuries and spiritual distress of patients that enhance the Holistic Treatment of Veteran patients.
  • Counsels patients with long term health illness to aid in developing and maintaining patience, determination, and perseverance.
  • Provides advice to mental health patients with deeply troubling concerns of anxiety, depression, obsession, and fear.
  • Provides guidance and religious instruction to individuals and groups.
Duties are continued in Benefits Section.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Amarillo has something for everyone; arts and culture, family fun, heritage/history, and outdoor adventures. Amarillo is centrally located from skiing the New Mexico and Colorado Mountains, as well as being centrally located to Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Albuquerque New Mexico, Denver, Colorado and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Amarillo residents enjoy big city life with small town atmosphere with a low cost of living and no state income tax.

DISCOVER AMARILLO at:
http://www.amarillo-chamber.orghttp://www.visitamarillotx.com/index.cfm

Agency contact information

James Higham
Email
James.Higham@va.gov
Address
Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center
6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West
Amarillo, TX 79106
US

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