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Senior Chaplain Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Wausau, WI · On-site

$89K/yr

Senior chaplain assignments may include serving at a facility in clinical settings where there is limited access to onsite supervision such as small health care systems, Community Based Outpatient ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Prescott, AZ · On-site

$89K/yr

Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Nashville, TN · On-site

$89K/yr

Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment. * Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities ...

Air National Guard Units

CHAPLAIN (Title 32)

Tulsa, OK · On-site +1

$89K - $116K/yr

This position is the senior or staff level position within the applicable organization and exhibits ... The Chaplain Service ministry is performed cooperatively, and executed in a pluralistic environment.

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Bronx, NY · On-site

$105K/yr

Senior chaplain assignments may include serving at a facility in clinical settings where there is limited access to onsite supervision such as small health care systems, Community Based Outpatient ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Tucson, AZ

$91K/yr

Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and ...

HopeHealth

Chaplain

Providence, RI · On-site

One to three years' experience for Chaplain, three to five years' experience for Senior Chaplain, in community service * Must be comfortable with prayer in an interfaith environment and respectful of ...

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How much do senior chaplain chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior chaplain chaplain in the United States is $63,587.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Senior Chaplain do?

A Senior Chaplain provides spiritual leadership, guidance, and support to individuals in institutions such as hospitals, prisons, the military, or universities. They oversee chaplaincy programs, supervise other chaplains, and often organize religious services, counseling, and crisis intervention. Senior Chaplains also act as liaisons between the institution and various faith communities, ensuring that diverse spiritual needs are met. Their role often includes administrative responsibilities, training new chaplains, and contributing to policies related to spiritual care.

How does a Senior Chaplain collaborate with other staff members in a healthcare or institutional setting?

A Senior Chaplain typically works closely with multidisciplinary teams, including medical professionals, social workers, and administrative staff, to provide holistic spiritual care. They often facilitate communication between patients, families, and staff, ensuring that spiritual and emotional needs are integrated into overall care plans. Collaboration may involve attending care team meetings, offering guidance on ethical issues, and supporting staff well-being through counseling or debriefing sessions. This team-based approach helps create a supportive environment for both patients and staff.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Chaplain?

To thrive as a Senior Chaplain, you need a strong background in theology or religious studies, ordination or endorsement from a recognized faith group, and relevant experience in pastoral care. Familiarity with spiritual assessment tools, electronic documentation systems, and sometimes certification such as Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) is often required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to offer compassionate support in crisis situations set outstanding chaplains apart. These competencies are vital for providing effective spiritual care and guidance to individuals and diverse communities facing emotional and spiritual challenges.
Infographic showing various Senior Chaplain Chaplain job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Chaplain

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Wausau, WI • On-site

$89K/yr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description


Location: Wausau, WI Community Outreach Based Clinic (CBOC)
Salary Range: $89,508 to $116,362
Qualifications:Basic Requirements
  • 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).
  • English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
  • 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
  • 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
    • 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 FPLGS-11 or above.
    • Exception for Non-Board Certified Chaplains:
      • Non-Board-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a Chaplain under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2) not to exceed 2 years.
      • Non-Board-Certified Chaplains must provide proof of completion of 4 units of CPE as required by an approved board certifying body.
      • Non-Board-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Chaplain at or above the FPL.
      • Non-Board-Certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Chaplains may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • 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.

Grade Determinations:
Chaplain, GS-12
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
  • 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.
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    • Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty.
    • Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care.
    • Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice.
    • 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 todesign system changes.
    • Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations.
    • Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area.
    • Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.
  • Assignment. For all assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must be of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity, and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is a senior chaplain. Senior chaplain assignments may include serving at a facility in clinical settings where there is limited access to onsite supervision such as small health care systems, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, other Federal agencies or satellite outpatient clinics. Senior chaplains typically practice in a specialized program area, that may include intensive and extended pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program, with patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual problems. The senior chaplain may be assigned administrative responsibility to independently develop and implement programs and curriculum. They are accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns, which may include research and leadership of clinical teams. The senior chaplain works with full understanding of its relationship to the objectives of the institution, and to successfully integrate it with the work of the institutional staff, collaborates with and advises the other senior members of the treatment team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to this population, ensures the care provided is of the highest quality. The senior chaplain provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned chaplain staff. This assignment is to be relatively few in number based on the size of the facility/service and applying sound position management. This assignment must represent substantial additional responsibility over and above that required at the full performance grade level and should not be used as the FPL of this occupation

Preferred Experience: Specialty certification in Mental Health, PTSD, SUD, Moral Injury or Suicide PreventionEducation:Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of to $89,508 to $116,362.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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

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