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
• Chaplains must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Education
• Applicant 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) (https://www.chea.org/) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (https://www.ats.edu/) 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 may meet this requirement with an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains
• This would include the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc
• (BCCI) or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI
• 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
• Board 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
• Loss of Endorsement or Certification
• Chaplains must maintain ecclesiastical endorsement and board certification
• Loss of endorsement or board certification will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain occupation and may result in termination of employment
• Grandfathering Provision
• All chaplains employed in VHA, in this occupational series, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply:(1) Chaplains who do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) Chaplains appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(3) Chaplains initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(4) Chaplains who were retained in this occupation, under this provision, and subsequently leave the occupation, lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Chaplain, GS-12 Experience
• The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-11) that is directly related to the position to be filled
• Specialty Certification
• Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification
• You must possess a Specialty Certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the position being filled
• The list of Board Certifying Chaplain Organizations and Specialty Certifying Organization is located here: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Employment_Information_and_Resources.asp Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i
• Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty
• ii
• Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care
• iii
• Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice
• iv
• 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
• v
• Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations
• vi
• Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area
• vii
• Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area
• Preferred Experience: Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder specialty is preferred
• Experience with Chaplain practice in BH is required
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.