Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.
Functional Title: Chaplain III Job Title: Chaplain III Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Chaplaincy Posting Number: 17818 Closing Date: 07/09/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $4,523.16- $7,253.83 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-21 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 5% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Rusk State Hospital Job Location City: RUSK Job Location Address: 805 N DICKINSON DR Other Locations: MOS Codes: 410X,52RX,56A,56D,56M,5R0X1,92R0,NAP13,RP
Brief Job Description:
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people's lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Chaplain III performs senior-level ministerial clinical and administrative work to oversee, coordinate, and direct activities, programs, and training for chaplaincy services. Work involves developing and coordinating services for all spiritual/religious activities and facilitating integrated worship and social activities. Conducts regular and special spiritual/religious services, and provides pastoral care and counseling to residents, their families, and employees as needed. Serves as manager/supervisor over a Chaplain II, Chaplaincy Services Assistant, and any chaplaincy volunteers. Work is performed in accordance with state laws, board policies, Texas Administrative Code and State Hospital (SH) policies and procedures.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Oversees, coordinates, and leads religious and spiritual services and groups to meet the diverse needs of patients, ensuring the availability of both regularly scheduled services and those provided on an as-needed basis. This includes organizing worship services, prayer groups, and other spiritual activities, as well as responding promptly to individual requests for religious support.
Advocates across all levels of the hospital, working closely with staff members, administrators, and healthcare providers to ensure that the religious and spiritual needs of patients and staff are recognized, respected, and fully supported. This includes facilitating communication between patients and their faith communities, providing appropriate resources, and fostering an environment of understanding and sensitivity to diverse religious practices and beliefs.
Counsels institutional staff and conducts group seminars to communicate the religious needs of clients and will prepare monthly calendars/activity planners in accordance with departmental guidelines, ensuring necessary materials are available and maintains work area by completing housekeeping tasks specific to assigned area to provide a clean, safe, and pleasant environment.
Provides sacramental services for patients in accordance with the practices and customs of the chaplain's faith. Indicates that arrangements for sacramental services for clients of other religious backgrounds are made as requested and that sacramental ministry is provided in accordance with state laws, board policies, Texas Administrative Code and State Hospital (SH) policies and procedures.
Makes pastoral visits to individuals who are critically ill, new and existing clients, and relatives/families of the clients based on referrals from the social and nursing assessments and/or personal requests from clients and/or clinicians.
Arranges for sacramental services for clients of other religious backgrounds and sacramental services for patients in accordance with the practices and customs of the chaplain's faith. Indicates that arrangements for sacramental services for clients of other religious backgrounds are made as requested and that sacramental ministry is provided in accordance with the religious practices and customs faith.
Serves as manager/supervisor over a Chaplain II, Chaplaincy Services Assistant, and any chaplaincy volunteers which includes maintaining quarterly developmental notes, Performance Plan, Evaluation, timekeeping, and active participation in the hiring process. Documenting volunteer hours, staff coaching and counseling are conducted in compliance with departmental standards.
Works as a member of the Center's interdisciplinary teams to assist in evaluating individual spiritual needs and developing a means to assist in the participation in spiritual expression. Documenting on patients' attendance and their response to interventions offered in order to provide information regarding progress or regression to other disciplines.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of faith spiritual/religious beliefs, and practices of various faith traditions and non-religious spiritualities.
Knowledge of the professional literature in the field.
Knowledge of Seismic training. Can be provided by state hospitals and must be attained within six months.
Skill in counseling clients and their families.
Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.
Ability to provide sacramental services, develop new chaplaincy programs, network, and build relationships with faith communities, and with social justice agencies; communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
Ability to participate willingly with faith communities and welfare organizations, furnishing leadership where required; and to interpret clearly and lucidly the spiritual/religious needs of the residents to the community clergy and staff.
Ability to choose methods of individual & group supervision appropriate to specific individuals & groups.
Ability to supervise the work of others.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
Board Certified with a Professional Chaplaincy Cognate Group is preferred.
Experience as an ordained minister in a parish setting or chaplaincy, including satisfactory completion of some clinical pastoral education (CPE) in an accredited clinical pastoral education center.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Experience as an ordained minister in a parish setting, or as an ecclesiastical endorsed professional chaplain in a healthcare setting.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Master of Religious Education, or a related degree is generally preferred.
Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:
Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.
