ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Lead Chaplain Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of Hope

Lead Chaplain

Irvine, CA · On-site

The Lead Chaplain delivers evidence-informed spiritual support to patients, families, and staff; collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams; and ensures that spiritual needs are identified and ...

City of Hope

Lead Chaplain

Irvine, CA · On-site

The Lead Chaplain delivers evidence-informed spiritual support to patients, families, and staff; collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams; and ensures that spiritual needs are identified and ...

Veterans Health Administration

Chaplain

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$104K - $135K/yr

Serves as a Chaplain professional providing complete religious ministry services to Veteran ... Uses leadership skills to lead prayer and religious services. * Addresses the religious, spiritual ...

Continuum Hospice

Chaplain PRN

Concord, CA · On-site

$41 - $44/hr

Overview Bring Comfort, Hope, and Meaning as a Hospice Chaplain / Spiritual Caregiver with ... Wellness & Discount Programs to help you lead a healthy and balanced life * Cell Phone, Mileage ...

Continuum Hospice

Chaplain PRN

Concord, CA · On-site

$41 - $44/hr

Overview Bring Comfort, Hope, and Meaning as a Hospice Chaplain / Spiritual Caregiver with ... Wellness & Discount Programs to help you lead a healthy and balanced life * Cell Phone, Mileage ...

Eisenhower

Staff Chaplain

Rancho Mirage, CA · On-site

$33.73 - $51.24/hr

Ability to lead and train Volunteer Chaplain Assistants, Ability to operate general office equipment (i.e., computer, printer, scanner, telephone, etc.), Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLead Chaplain JobsLead Chaplain Jobs in California

Lead Chaplain information

See California salary details

$28.6K

$62.8K

$96.7K

How much do lead chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead chaplain in California is $62,754.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,900.00 and $79,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead chaplain?

A Lead Chaplain is responsible for overseeing spiritual care services within an organization, such as a hospital, hospice, prison, or military unit. They provide emotional and spiritual support to individuals of diverse faiths, lead a team of chaplains, and coordinate religious programs. Their duties may include counseling, conducting worship services, and ensuring that spiritual care aligns with the needs of the community. Additionally, they may collaborate with healthcare providers, administrators, or other professionals to integrate pastoral care into overall support services.

What does a lead chaplain do?

As a Lead Chaplain, your day often involves coordinating spiritual care services, providing direct support to individuals and families in times of crisis, and supervising a team of chaplains or spiritual care volunteers. You may attend interdisciplinary meetings, develop and lead educational programs, and ensure religious and cultural needs are respected throughout the facility. The role also includes documentation, administrative tasks, and collaborating closely with medical, nursing, and social work teams. This dynamic environment requires adaptability and the ability to respond compassionately to a wide range of emotional and spiritual needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead chaplain?

To thrive as a Lead Chaplain, you need a strong background in pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual leadership, typically supported by theological education and ordination or endorsement from a recognized faith group. Familiarity with electronic record systems, ethics training, and accreditation such as Board Certification from national chaplaincy organizations is usually required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, crisis management abilities, and cultural sensitivity are key soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure compassionate, inclusive support for diverse individuals and effective leadership within multidisciplinary teams.

Is there a high demand for lead chaplains?

The demand for lead chaplains is generally steady, especially in healthcare, military, and correctional settings where spiritual support is integral. Job growth depends on institutional funding and the emphasis on holistic care, with opportunities often requiring relevant certifications and experience in pastoral care or counseling.

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

The most popular types of Lead Chaplain jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Lead Chaplain jobs in California?

For Lead Chaplain jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lead Chaplain jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Chaplain jobs in California are:

Lead Chaplain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Chaplain job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,754 per year, or $30.2 per hour.

Lead Chaplain

City of Hope

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

City Of Hope rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 91 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Join the transformative team at City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. Our dedicated and compassionate employees are driven by a common mission: To deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today. 
Position Summary:

The Lead Chaplain delivers evidence-informed spiritual support to patients, families, and staff; collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams; and ensures that spiritual needs are identified and addressed across the continuum of care. In addition to clinical responsibilities, the Lead Chaplain is responsible for developing strong relationships with community and faith leaders, partnering in donor engagement efforts, and supporting the development and sustainability of a high-quality pastoral care volunteer program.

This position functions as both a frontline clinician and a program leader, strengthening the culture of compassionate, holistic care across the institution.

As a successful candidate, you will:

  • Provide direct spiritual and emotional support to oncology patients, families, and caregivers across inpatient and outpatient settings.
  • Conduct spiritual assessments, develop care plans, and document encounters in compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and collaborate with care teams to address spiritual distress, cultural needs, and end-of-life decision-making.
  • Respond to crises, critical events, and patient deaths with compassion and professionalism.
  • Support leadership of the Spiritual Care program, including policy implementation, regulatory compliance, and departmental operations.
  • Lead and develop the pastoral care volunteer program, including recruitment, training, supervision, and ongoing education.
  • Build meaningful relationships with community and faith leaders while supporting donor relations and philanthropic initiatives.
  • Provide administrative support including reporting, staff support, continuing education coordination, and performance input.
  • Maintain compliance with City of Hope policies, procedures, safety standards, and confidentiality requirements.
  • Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Your qualifications should include:

  • Master’s degree in Divinity, Theology, Pastoral Studies, or related field.
  • Minimum of 4 years of spiritual care counseling experience in a hospital or hospice setting.
  • Experience supporting patients and families during crisis, trauma, grief, or end-of-life situations.
  • Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
  • Previous experience leading teams, programs, or projects.
  • Completion of 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from an ACPE-accredited program.

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.

What City Of Hope employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

City of Hope logo

About City of Hope

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hopes translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hopes specialized cancer expertise. City of Hope is ranked among the nations Best Hospitals in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Duarte, CA, US

Year founded

1913

View All City of Hope Jobs

Apply