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Pastoral Associate Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Chaplain

Pensacola, FL · On-site

$54K/yr

Pastoral Care Spiritual Care Schedule: Rotating | Full-time Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate ...

A minimum of one unit of ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Note: Degrees from ... We Offer Benefits for All Associates (Full-Time, Part-Time & Per Diem): * Competitive Pay * 401(k) ...

A minimum of one unit of ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Note: Degrees from ... Benefits for All Associates (Full-Time, Part-Time & Per Diem): * Competitive Pay * 401(k) with ...

A minimum of one unit of ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Note: Degrees from ... We Offer Benefits for All Associates (Full-Time, Part-Time & Per Diem): * Competitive Pay * 401(k) ...

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Pastoral Associate information

See Florida salary details

$11.2K

$38.3K

$62.8K

How much do pastoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for pastoral associate in Florida is $38,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31,000.00 and $46,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pastoral associate?

Pastoral Associates are lay professionals who assist clergy in the spiritual and administrative life of a parish or religious community. They often coordinate ministries, lead liturgical and educational programs, and provide pastoral care to parishioners. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the needs of the community, but they generally support the mission of the church by serving as a bridge between clergy and laity. Pastoral Associates usually have training in theology or pastoral ministry and work closely with pastors and other staff.

What is the difference between Pastoral Associate vs Pastoral Minister?

AspectPastoral AssociatePastoral Minister
CredentialsUsually requires a bachelor's degree in theology, ministry, or related field; often some certification or training in pastoral careTypically holds a master's degree in divinity or theology; may have additional pastoral certification
Work EnvironmentWorks within church communities, assisting clergy with pastoral care, programs, and outreachLeads or oversees church programs, provides spiritual guidance, and may perform sacraments
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in churches, religious organizations, and faith-based community servicesFound in similar settings but often with more leadership responsibilities

While both roles serve in church settings and require theological education, a Pastoral Associate typically supports clergy and focuses on pastoral care and community programs. A Pastoral Minister often has more leadership duties, overseeing church initiatives and providing spiritual guidance at a higher level.

What are some common challenges a pastoral associate may encounter when supporting diverse parish communities?

Pastoral Associates often serve parish communities with a wide range of backgrounds, traditions, and needs. One common challenge is effectively engaging and ministering to individuals from different cultural, generational, or socio-economic groups, which requires sensitivity and adaptability. Additionally, balancing administrative duties, event planning, and direct pastoral care can be demanding. Successful Pastoral Associates typically develop strong communication skills, cultural awareness, and collaborative relationships with clergy, staff, and volunteers to address these challenges and foster an inclusive, supportive parish environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pastoral associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pastoral Associate, you need a solid background in theology, pastoral care, and ministry, often supported by a degree in religious studies or pastoral ministry. Familiarity with church management software, liturgical planning tools, and basic administrative systems is typically required. Compassion, strong interpersonal communication, and organizational skills are essential soft skills for connecting with parishioners and supporting church programs. These abilities are important because they enable the Pastoral Associate to effectively serve the spiritual and practical needs of the parish community.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pastoral jobs in Florida?

The most popular types of Pastoral jobs in Florida are:

What are popular job titles related to Pastoral Associate jobs in Florida?

For Pastoral Associate jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pastoral Associate jobs in Florida look for?

The top searched job categories for Pastoral Associate jobs in Florida are:

What cities in Florida are hiring for Pastoral Associate jobs?

Cities in Florida with the most Pastoral Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Pastoral Associate job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 65% Full Time, and 29% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,295 per year, or $18.4 per hour.

Chaplain Community Hospitals - Spiritual Care

Health First

Melbourne, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Vision

Posted 15 days ago


Health First rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

234th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Job Requirements
POSITION SUMMARY
The Hospital Chaplain nurtures a positive environment where the health and well-being of each individual is supported through the delivery of spiritual and emotional support across the Health First Integrated Delivery Network's (IDN), Hospital Division. The Hospital Chaplain primarily supports our community hospitals, but services are performed at all designated Health First locations. The Hospital Chaplain provides crisis interventions to individuals as needed, and consults, advocates and educates members of healthcare teams including providers, regarding appropriate use of spiritual care services.
PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITES
  1. Provides comprehensive pastoral and spiritual care including assessment, delivery and follow-up to assist individuals in using their faith when dealing with illness, trauma, and conflict and the stress associated with these events. Advocate and provide appropriate services to patients, patient families, associates, providers, and volunteers. Provide critical and pastoral care to those in waiting areas, and crisis intervention, including response to Code Blue, Trauma Alert, and Associate/Department crisis.
  2. Facilitates and fosters a safe environment, collaborate and communicate effectively with all age groups served by the Pastoral Care department.
  3. Assists in discussing goals of care, medical updates and resolving conflicts that may arise between individuals or groups.
  4. Supports families during end-of-life decisions, when withdrawing of life support, and before and after time of death.
  5. Maintains a working relationship between the Pastoral Care leadership, and Associates, licensed practitioners, healthcare teams, and volunteers in other departments.
  6. Delivers pastoral services in such a way as to accomplish institutional, as well as departmental objectives. Demonstrate the mission and vision of the institution in all aspects of duties, while adhering to hospital standards, policies and procedures, and to the code of ethics of the Association of Professional Chaplains.
  7. Establishes and nurtures relationships with local communities of faith that support the specific sites(s) where services are provided.
  8. Maintains confidentiality of patient information according to HIPAA, department and Health First policies and procedures; documents patient and family services provided per department protocol.
  9. Aids Spiritual Care Leadership in special projects, as instructed, or as needed to enhance department effectiveness and/or organization strategy.
  10. Offers support for educational opportunities to Associate Chaplains, Spiritual Care Volunteers, and No One Dies Alone Volunteers when requested.

Work Experience
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Education:
  1. Master's degree in Divinity, Theology, or a relevant field.
  2. Completion of two (2) units (One (1) unit for Part-Time) Clinical Pastoral Care Education (CPE) prior to start date and commitment to complete more units of CPE during employment.
  • Work Experience: One (1) year of experience in hospital or hospice pastoral care, chaplaincy setting.
  • Licensure: None
  • Certification: None
  • Skills/Knowledge/Abilities: Microsoft Office Applications (Outlook, Work, Excel, PowerPoint).

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Education: Four (4) units of CPE.
  • Licensure: Ordained, commissioned, licensed, or endorsed by a Faith Community to operate as a Chaplain in a healthcare environment.
  • Certification: Certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), or Cognate group.
  • Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
  1. Critical-thinking skills.
  2. Decision-making skills.
  3. Financial acumen.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Majority of time involves sitting or standing; occasional walking, bending, and stooping.
  • Long periods of computer time or at workstation.
  • Light work that may include lifting or moving objects up to 20 pounds with or without assistance.
  • May be exposed to inside environments with varied temperatures, air quality, lighting and/or low to moderate noise.
  • Communicating with others to exchange information.
  • Visual acuity and hand-eye coordination to perform tasks.
  • Workspace may vary from open to confined.
  • May require travel to various facilities within and beyond county perimeter; may require use of personal vehicle.

Benefits
ABOUT HEALTH FIRST
At Health First, diversity and inclusion are essential for our continued growth and evolution. Working together, we strive to build and nurture a culture that recognizes, encourages, and respects the diverse voices of our associates. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more collaborative work environment that delivers better results. As an organization, it fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our associates, customers, and the communities we serve.
Schedule : Full-Time
Shift Times : 800am430pm
Paygrade : PG-33

What Health First employees say

Pay

Benefits

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About Health First

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Health First has been providing quality care to Brevard county residents for over 23 years. Health First delivers healthcare services throughout Brevard County with a network comprised of 4 hospitals with 868 beds, a health plan, and outpatient/wellness services including diagnostics, home health care, sleep centers, fitness facilities, pharmacy, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, aging services, a hospice program, and bone/wellness center.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and medical equipment and supplies manufacturing

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Rockledge, FL, US