Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• All Chaplains must meet the following basic requirements: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education: 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) (https://www.chea.org/) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (https://www.ats.edu/) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree may meet this requirement with an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains
• This would include the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc
• (BCCI) or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI
• Endorsement: Applicants must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement and must be dated within the past 12 months
• A complete list of Ecclesiastical Organizations that the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes as Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations is available here: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Ecclesiastical_Endorsement.asp Note: Current VA Chaplains do not have to get updated endorsements after they are hired
• Certification: Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain by the Board of Chaplaincy Certifications Inc
• (BCCI), or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI
• Board Certification that requires four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is qualifying
• https://www.apchaplains.org/bcci-site/
• Exception for Non-Board-Certified Chaplains (GS-9 Entry-Level Only): Applicants pending board certification may be given a temporary appointment not to exceed two years if they meet all other eligibility requirements and provide proof of completion of four units of CPE as required by an approved board certifying body
• Grandfathering Provision
• All Chaplains employed in VHA under permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard (07/03/2025), are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/assignment held, including positive education and certification, where applicable
• For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the FPL, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• If an assignment above the FPL level requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be reassigned or promoted
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional certification(s) that meets all the basic or assignment-specific qualification requirements of this standard must maintain the required credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation
• Grade Determinations: Chaplain - Clinical Pastoral Educator (CPE), GS-12 In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify at the GS-12 level you must possess at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11)
• CPE Certification: All CPE Educators must be certified by an agency whose CPE units of training are recognized by the BCCI, or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI
• CPE Educators must be certified by the same accrediting body as the CPE training program where the position is being filled for the CPE training program to maintain accreditation
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience and certification requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to independently educate all levels of CPE students and plan, organize, and implement all levels of the CPE program
• Skill in adhering to all accreditation standards, processes and practices including, but not limited to, timely and professional submission of all required program reports, center portfolio, fees and dues
• Skill in written and verbal communication that are articulate, professional and cohesive
• Ability to recruit, interview and select students for the CPE program
• Knowledge of professional ethics for certified educators and history of CPE
• Ability to apply theoretical understanding for and competence in administering and conducting all levels of CPE programs
• Knowledge of emerging trends and research in the area of pastoral education
• Knowledge of various conceptual frameworks for developing educational curriculum
• Preferred Experience: -Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), certified educator -3 to 5 Years of Clinical Pastoral Education class room instruction -3 to 5 Years of clinical experience -3 to 5 years of supervisor experience 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
• Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.