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Va Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$104.35K/yr

The Chaplain Service at the Long Beach VA Medical Center is seeking a qualified Chaplain to join our team. This role may require travel between multiple sites within Long Beach and its surrounding ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Nashville, TN · On-site

$89.51K/yr

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 ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

New Orleans, LA · On-site

$89.51K/yr

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Chaplain Service (CS). The position provides services within various settings, including ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Roseburg, OR · On-site

$74.68K/yr

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 ...

Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education-Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education--Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education-Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education--Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Biloxi, MS · On-site

$89.51K/yr

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA ... Chaplain, GS-12 Experience. The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to ...

Marketplace Chaplains

Chaplain Position It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! W ... Part-time, Radford, VA Essential Functions and Responsibilities • Serves as a messenger and ...

Veterans Health Administration

Chaplain

New Orleans, LA · On-site +1

$89.51K - $116.36K/yr

Summary This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Chaplain Service (CS). The position provides services within various settings ...

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How much do va chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for va 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a VA Chaplain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a VA Chaplain, you need a master’s degree in divinity or a related field, ordination or endorsement from a recognized faith group, and experience in pastoral care. Familiarity with electronic medical record systems and knowledge of hospital protocols are often required. Compassion, strong listening skills, and cultural sensitivity are essential soft skills for supporting veterans from diverse backgrounds. These competencies are vital for providing effective spiritual care, emotional support, and ethical guidance within the unique environment of VA healthcare facilities.

What are some common challenges VA Chaplains face when supporting veterans and their families?

VA Chaplains often encounter the challenge of providing spiritual and emotional support to veterans from diverse backgrounds, many of whom may be coping with trauma, grief, or moral injury. Balancing the unique needs and beliefs of each individual while maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment is essential. Additionally, chaplains frequently collaborate with mental health professionals and medical staff to ensure holistic care, which requires strong communication and teamwork skills. Adapting to the emotional demands of the role and managing personal well-being are also important aspects of the job.

What are VA Chaplains?

VA Chaplains are professional spiritual care providers who work within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and facilities. They offer emotional, spiritual, and religious support to veterans, their families, and VA staff, regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs. VA Chaplains provide counseling, conduct religious services, and support patients facing illness, trauma, or end-of-life issues. They play a key role in holistic care by addressing the spiritual needs of veterans as part of the overall healthcare team.

Am I too old to be a military chaplain?

There is no maximum age limit to become a military chaplain, but candidates must meet the military's enlistment or commissioning requirements, including physical fitness and background checks. Experience, education, and religious credentials are important factors, and older applicants often bring valuable maturity and life experience to the role.

How to become a VA chaplain?

To become a VA chaplain, candidates typically need a master's degree in divinity or theology, ordination or commissioning by a religious organization, and clinical pastoral education (CPE) training. Certification from a recognized chaplaincy organization and experience in pastoral care are also often required, along with familiarity with VA healthcare systems and veterans' needs.

What is the difference between Va Chaplain vs Va Social Worker?

AspectVa ChaplainVa Social Worker
Required CredentialsReligious ordination, chaplain certification, sometimes a master's in theology or divinityMaster's in social work (MSW), state licensure, clinical social work certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, VA medical centers, military bases, spiritual care settingsHospitals, VA facilities, community agencies, mental health clinics
Employer & Industry UsageVeterans Affairs, religious organizations, military healthcareVeterans Affairs, healthcare providers, social service agencies

While both roles serve veterans within the VA system, Va Chaplains focus on spiritual support and religious care, requiring ordination and theological training. Va Social Workers provide mental health and social support, requiring social work degrees and licensure. Their work environments often overlap, but their primary functions differ based on training and scope of practice.

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Va Chaplain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Va Chaplain job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Full Time, and 89% Part Time. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Chaplain

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Sioux Falls, SD • On-site

$61.72K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

The incumbent serves as a Chaplain professional for the VHA. The incumbent provides religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to all persons that are commensurate with the needs, desires, and voluntary consent of the Veteran, caregiver, or staff. The incumbent addresses the spiritual component of health and wellness in every patient care setting to ensure that pastoral care is fully integrated into all aspects of service.Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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 (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 FPL GS-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 (GS-9) 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.
  • Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
  • 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.
Chaplain, GS-09
  • Experience. None beyond the basic requirements
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    1. Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided.
    2. Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care.
    3. Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization.
    4. Skill in health care team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues.
    5. Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff.
    6. Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families; providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care.
    7. Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients.
    8. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgrounds.
Chaplain, GS-11
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    1. Knowledge of advance care planning to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families.
    2. Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
    3. Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome driven and evidenced based within the department guideline
    4. Skill in counseling on medical and ethical issues, terminal diagnoses or crises, moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties, and justice or confinement matters.
    5. Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support.
    6. Ability to educate and equip health care staff and trainees screening for spiritual and religious needs of patients and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress.
    7. Knowledge of community needs to coordinate with community organizations to provide comprehensive spiritual care, utilizing outside community resources to meet the religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staff.

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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.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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