Prison Ministry Jobs (NOW HIRING)

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following basic qualification requirements:
Education:
Bachelor's Degree: An applicant must have a conferred 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university.

AND

Ecclesiastical Endorsement:
An Ecclesiastical Endorsement attests to the applicant's suitability for correctional ministry, support for his or her candidacy, a clear assurance statement that the applicant has no present or past legal or moral barrier to congregational ministry, and an affirmation that the applicant will facilitate inmates of all faiths opportunities to pursue individual religious beliefs and practices. The applicant's relationship to the endorsing body must reflect a minimum two-year association before endorsement.

In order to receive full consideration for this vacancy, you are required to complete and submit the Bureau of Prisons' Ecclesiastical Endorsement Form (BP-A0679). A copy of this form can be obtained by accessing www.bop.gov or Clicking Here and then click on "Find a Form".

AND

Religious Credentials:

Applicants will be ordained clergy or members of ecclesiastically recognized religious institutes of vowed men or women. In lieu of professional ordination credentials, adequate documentation of the applicant's recognized religious and ministerial roles in their respective faith communities is required.

In addition to the above Basic Requirements, applicants must meet the following qualification requirements:

Qualification Requirements:

Master's degree:

GL-09, GS-11, GS-12:

Candidates must have a Master of Divinity or equivalent theological education. Equivalent theological education represented by a conferred degree comprised of no less than 72 semester hours of graduate coursework including:

• 20 semester hours in pastoral ministry; and
• 20 semester hours in any combination of theology, ethics, and philosophy of religion; and
• 20 semester hours in the study of sacred writings, including the study of languages in which sacred writings are/were written; and
• 12 semester hours in religious history and/or world religions.

Applicants who meet the Basic Requirements and graduate education requirements qualify for GL-09 grade level.

AND

Professional Ministry Experience (Specialized Experience):

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units can be credited towards professional ministry experience. All professional ministry experience must be gained while in a relationship with the endorsing religious organization.

GS-11: 2,080 hours (1 year) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

GS-12: 4,160 hours (2 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

Note: Each CPE unit earned will count as 520 hours of professional ministry experience.

OR

Professional Ministry Experience In lieu of Graduate Theological Degree:

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units can be credited towards professional ministry experience. All professional ministry experience must be gained while in a relationship with the endorsing religious organization.

Applicants who meet the Basic Requirements, but do not meet the graduate education requirement, may be found qualified with Professional Ministry Experience.

GL-09: 6,240 hours (3 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

GS-11: 8,320 hours (4 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

GS-12: 10,400 hours (5 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

Note: Each CPE unit earned will count as 520 hours of professional ministry experience.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units can be credited towards professional ministry experience. All professional ministry experience must be gained while in a relationship with the endorsing religious organization.

Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and/or professional ministry experience.

GL-09: 6,240 hours (3 years) of a combination of qualifying theological education, CPE units, and/or professional ministry experience.

GS-11: 8,320 hours (4 years) of a combination of qualifying theological education, CPE units, and/or professional ministry experience.

GS-12: 10,400 hours (5 years) of a combination of qualifying theological education, CPE units, and/or professional ministry experience.

Note: A two-year conferred graduate theological or religious degree will qualify as 4,160 hours (2 years) of professional ministry experience. Each CPE unit earned will count as 520 hours of professional ministry experience.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, the experience must be properly documented in the resume (see Required Documents section below for more information).

AND

Selective Placement Factor:
Applicants applying for this position MUST also possess the following Selective Factor. In the event you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for the position.
BUDDHIST:

GS-09: Applicant must be of a Buddhist community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of a Buddhist community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Buddhist faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of a Buddhist community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Buddhist faith.

CATHOLIC:

GS-09: Applicant must be of a Catholic community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of a Catholic community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Catholic faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of a Catholic community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Catholic faith.

JEWISH:

GS-09: Applicant must be of a Jewish community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of a Jewish community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Jewish faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of a Jewish community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Jewish faith.

ISLAMIC:

GS-09: Applicant must be of an Islamic community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of an Islamic community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Islamic faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of an Islamic community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Islamic faith.

NOTE: All applicants MUST clearly address the Selective Factor in their resume and, if applicable, upload any required documentation (i.e., licensure, certification, or transcripts) at the time you apply.

ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MUST BE UPLOADED AT THE TIME YOU APPLY
**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.