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Associate Chaplain Jobs in Oklahoma (NOW HIRING)

Chaplain

Muskogee, OK · On-site

$89K/yr

Provisional or Associate or other status as a candidate for board certification does not meet the ... Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to ...

Chaplain Services on campus Safety Sensitive position - subject to drug and alcohol testing. Please apply online to be considered for this position. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity ...

Chaplain Services on campus Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For reasonable accommodation of disability during the hiring process call (800) 200-1494.

Associate Chaplain information

See Oklahoma salary details

$26.8K

$58.7K

$90.5K

How much do associate chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate chaplain in Oklahoma is $58,712.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,800.00 and $73,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate chaplain?

Associate Chaplains are trained professionals who provide spiritual care, guidance, and support in settings such as hospitals, universities, prisons, or the military. They work alongside lead chaplains and other staff to address the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and faith traditions. Their duties often include counseling, leading worship services, facilitating spiritual discussions, and offering crisis intervention. Associate Chaplains help create a compassionate, inclusive environment for those facing difficult situations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate chaplain?

To thrive as an Associate Chaplain, you need a background in theology or divinity, experience in pastoral care, and often an ordination or endorsement from a faith community. Familiarity with electronic medical records, crisis intervention protocols, and spiritual assessment tools is typically required. Compassion, active listening, and cultural sensitivity are crucial soft skills for supporting individuals of diverse backgrounds during challenging times. These abilities ensure effective spiritual support and holistic care within healthcare or institutional settings.

What are some common challenges faced by associate chaplains in supporting diverse spiritual needs within an institution?

Associate Chaplains often serve individuals from a variety of religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. A common challenge is ensuring that each person's beliefs and practices are respected while providing appropriate support and resources. This requires strong listening skills, cultural competency, and flexibility in approach. Additionally, Associate Chaplains must navigate institutional policies and collaborate with other staff to create an inclusive environment for all faiths, which can be both rewarding and complex.

What is the difference between Associate Chaplain vs Chaplain?

AspectAssociate ChaplainChaplain
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's degree in theology or divinity, and ordination or certificationSimilar credentials, often with additional experience or higher certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, military, prisons, or educational institutionsHospitals, military, prisons, religious organizations, or community settings
Employer & Industry UsageOften employed in larger organizations supporting chaplaincy servicesWidely used across various institutions providing spiritual care

Both Associate Chaplains and Chaplains require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, and they often work in comparable environments. The main difference lies in experience level and responsibilities, with Associate Chaplains typically serving in supporting roles while Chaplains hold more senior or independent positions.

Is there a high demand for associate chaplains?

The demand for associate chaplains varies by region and institution but generally remains steady due to ongoing needs in hospitals, military, and correctional facilities. Employment opportunities often depend on the size of the organization, available funding, and the ability to meet certification or educational requirements such as a master's degree in theology or related fields.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chaplain jobs in Oklahoma?

The most popular types of Chaplain jobs in Oklahoma are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Chaplain jobs in Oklahoma?

For Associate Chaplain jobs in Oklahoma, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Chaplain jobs in Oklahoma look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Chaplain jobs in Oklahoma are:

What cities in Oklahoma are hiring for Associate Chaplain jobs?

Cities in Oklahoma with the most Associate Chaplain job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Chaplain job openings in Oklahoma as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,712 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

$89K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System, Chaplain Service, is currently recruiting for one (1) Chaplains in Muskogee, OK.Qualifications:BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:
a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
b. Education. 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 (see paragraph d) is acceptable
c. 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: National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint.
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.
Note: Provisional or Associate or other status as a candidate for board certification does not meet the board certification requirement for the FPL GS-11 or above
Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at https://www.naces.org/members and be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program.
English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
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: . In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
Chaplain, GS-12.
(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
(2) Specialty Certification. Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification and is required for the GS-12 grade level. Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment.
(3) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty.
(b) Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care.
(c) Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice.
(d) 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.
(e) Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations.
(f) Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area.
(g) Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.
Preferred Experience: Registered as an approved Certified Educator Candidate (CEC) with Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), Specialty Certification in Mental Health, Three Years staff chaplain experience.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The vacancy is being announced above the full performance level at a GS-12.
Physical Requirements: . See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirementsEducation: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/.Employment Type: OTHER