Supervisory Chaplain

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS), and Chaplain Service (CS). The position provides services within various settings, including Inpatient Units, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliary throughout CAVHCS catchment area, to include the Regional Benefits Office. The CS provides pastoral counseling and treatment to Veteran patients, patient's families, and staff in various inpatient and outpatient settings.

The incumbent serves as the Supervisory Chaplain professional performing supervisory and senior clinical assignments for the VHA. The incumbent provides comprehensive 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 chaplain services. Specifically this position is responsible for providing comprehensive, religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desires. Provides supervision for the chaplaincy program of a major faith ministry which is highly integrated into VHA's Chaplain program Manages and supervises the full spectrum of chaplaincy service operations. Supervises non-supervisory and supervisory professional staff at the GS-12 level or below Performs supervisory and non-supervisory assignments consisting of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety Supervises the professional practice of all facility chaplains and provides chaplaincy services and programming Manages and oversees all religious and spiritual care and provides counsel to facility leadership concerning religious expression Oversees a chaplaincy program at this level is carefully integrated throughout the total care and treatment program to further the mission of the VHA facility. Oversees pastoral ministry, including intensive pastoral counseling, close integral working relationships with other staff disciplines, and active community liaison Develops one or more subprograms (training, research, community relationships, or religious education if in relationship to the intensive overall treatment program), to advance the religious program and the mission of the medical facility Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, establishes and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees Maintains chapel space and oversees the distribution of space, inventory, and resources needed for providing spiritual care, education, and programming. Assesses the spiritual and religious needs of the organization. Ensures the religious needs of patients are met through partnerships with community religious leaders and organizations, and community, state, and federal agencies. Builds strong interpersonal relationships with patients and ensures all patients are provided opportunities for the free exercise of religion and protects against proselytizing Uses thorough knowledge of administrative, personnel, resource management, and strategic planning for chaplaincy and chaplain pastoral education programs. Uses effective skills in interpersonal relationships including conflict resolution and skills to work collaboratively with managers from other parts of the medical facility Ministers to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative patients, the critically ill, and the families of concerned Veteran patients. Provides advance care planning education, information, and counsel for patients and their families Provides chaplain service expertise to exchange information relative to the background and current condition of patients. Supervises, trains, and coaches volunteer groups who offer their services as assistants. Provides expert guidance and advice to other VHA Chaplains as needed Conducts spiritual assessments to identify patients' strengths and needs. Creates plans for care in response to the moral injuries and spiritual distress of patients that enhance the Holistic Treatment of Veteran patients. Counsels' patients with long term health illness to aid in developing and maintaining patience, determination, and perseverance. Provides advice to mental health patients with deeply troubling concerns of anxiety, depression, obsession, and fear. Provides referrals for continuity of spiritual care Coordinates with community organizations to ensure the provision of comprehensive spiritual care, including interested community organizations, local clubs, church groups, special agencies, business organizations, and other stakeholders, to sustain the necessary links with the outside community Spends minimally 20% of time in patient care other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm. Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:61479F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.