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Supervisory Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

... or supervisory chaplain as you gain experience; contribute to the shared culture and standards of Professional Naval Chaplaincy. What to Expect An initial three year active duty tour upon ...

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Supervisory Chaplain information

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$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do supervisory chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for supervisory 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 is the difference between Supervisory Chaplain vs Chaplain?

AspectSupervisory ChaplainChaplain
CredentialsTypically requires ordination, clinical pastoral education, and leadership experienceRequires ordination or certification, with less emphasis on leadership
Work EnvironmentOversees chaplain teams in hospitals, military, or correctional facilitiesProvides spiritual support directly to individuals in similar settings
Employer & IndustryHospitals, military, prisons, religious organizationsHospitals, military, prisons, religious organizations
Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership and supervisory rolesFocuses on direct spiritual care

The main difference between a Supervisory Chaplain and a Chaplain lies in leadership responsibilities. Supervisory Chaplains oversee teams and manage programs, requiring additional experience and credentials. Chaplains focus on providing direct spiritual support to individuals. Both roles are vital in similar environments, but supervisory roles involve more administrative duties and team management.

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

To thrive as a Supervisory Chaplain, you need in-depth theological training, certification or ordination in a recognized faith tradition, and experience in pastoral care. Familiarity with case management systems, electronic documentation, and interfaith resources is often required. Strong leadership, empathy, and effective communication are standout soft skills for guiding chaplaincy teams and supporting diverse populations. These skills are essential to provide spiritual care, manage staff, and ensure inclusive, compassionate support in complex institutional environments.

What are the 4 pillars of chaplaincy?

The four pillars of chaplaincy are spiritual care, emotional support, ethical practice, and cultural competence. These pillars guide chaplains, including supervisory chaplains, in providing holistic support to individuals in diverse settings such as healthcare, military, or correctional facilities. Developing skills in these areas is essential for effective chaplaincy work and often involves specialized training and certification.

Are chaplains no longer wearing rank?

Supervisory chaplains in the military or similar organizations typically wear rank insignia on their uniforms to denote their leadership position. The practice of wearing rank is standard and helps identify authority and responsibilities within the organization. Changes to uniform regulations are rare and usually communicated through official channels.

What are Supervisory Chaplains?

Supervisory Chaplains are experienced clergy members who oversee and coordinate the work of other chaplains within an organization, such as a hospital, prison, or military installation. They provide spiritual care and counseling, as well as administrative leadership, training, and mentorship to their staff. Their role often includes developing programs, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, and serving as a liaison between religious groups and the organization. Supervisory Chaplains help maintain the highest standards of spiritual support and ethical conduct within their teams.

How does a Supervisory Chaplain balance administrative duties with providing direct spiritual care to individuals?

As a Supervisory Chaplain, you will often need to balance time between administrative responsibilities—such as managing chaplaincy staff, scheduling services, and overseeing program development—and providing direct spiritual support to individuals. Effective Supervisory Chaplains delegate tasks, set clear priorities, and maintain open communication with their team to ensure both organizational and pastoral needs are met. This dual role requires strong leadership, flexibility, and a proactive approach to addressing the evolving needs of the institution and its community.

What is the highest rank for a chaplain?

The highest rank for a chaplain varies by organization, but in many military and institutional settings, the top rank is often considered to be Chief Chaplain or Senior Chaplain, reflecting leadership responsibilities and seniority. These roles typically involve overseeing chaplaincy programs, providing spiritual guidance, and managing other chaplains within the organization.

What is the highest paying chaplain job?

The highest paying chaplain roles are often in military, healthcare, or corporate settings, with military chaplains typically earning higher salaries due to rank and benefits. Senior or specialized chaplains with advanced certifications and leadership responsibilities tend to earn the most in the field.
More about Supervisory Chaplain jobs
What cities are hiring for Supervisory Chaplain jobs? Cities with the most Supervisory Chaplain job openings:
What states have the most Supervisory Chaplain jobs? States with the most job openings for Supervisory Chaplain jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Supervisory Chaplain jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Supervisory Chaplain jobs are:
Infographic showing various Supervisory Chaplain job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

$119K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Veterans Health Administration rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,002 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

69th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
  • 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 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: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Ecclesiastical_Endorsement.asp
  • 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
  • Association of Certified Christian Chaplains - https://certifiedchaplains.org/ Association of Professional Chaplains®(APC®) - www.professionalchaplains.org National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) - www.nacc.org Neshama Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) - www.najc.org National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC) - https://www.navac.net/ Spiritual Care Association - https://www.spiritualcareassociation.org/ 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: Supervisory Chaplain, GS-13
  • Experience
  • One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
  • In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of administrative, personnel, and resource management and strategic planning for chaplaincy and chaplain pastoral education programs
  • Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties, which include responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff and recommendation of awards, advancements and disciplinary actions
  • Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with managers from other departments
  • Ability to develop local policy, productivity and clinical practice standards
  • Ability to align chaplaincy services and programming with the strategic goals and objectives of the facility, VISN, and VHA
  • Ability to ensure compliance with chaplaincy practice, policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care
  • Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers and other staff on all religious expression and spiritual care
  • Preferred Experience: Graduate-level theological education (e.g., M.Div.) Leadership experience in chaplain program administration, supervisory experience mentoring staff and trainees Active participation in interdisciplinary teams Expertise in specialized spiritual care and crisis counseling Preferred Experience: Experience serving as Chief at a facility with an active CPE program Proven experience in leading significant organizational change, especially in preparation for CISCM and Cerner transitions in FY27 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-13
  • The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13
  • Physical Requirements: This position requires the Chaplain to meaningfully engage with Veteran patients and family members by walking and moving within the healthcare setting or with the incumbent using an assistive device
  • The Chaplain is required to speak, hear (hearing aid permitted) and work closely with others
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About Veterans Health Administration

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, serving millions of Veterans each year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, and many other parts of the US, the VHA operates under the Department of Veteran Affairs, as suggested by their official website va.gov. The VHA is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to its veterans. The organization offers a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care, including mental health services, research, and pharmacy benefits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US