Chaplain

Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Pension plan eligibility

Job summary

The Canadian Armed Forces seeks qualified chaplains to provide spiritual, religious and pastoral care to CAF members and their families across all environments, including Navy, Army, Air Force and special operations. You will support individuals, lead worship, counsel, and participate in ceremonies and education programs.

Applicants must be ordained or endorsed, hold a graduate-level degree in Faith Tradition formation (MDiv or equivalent), have at least two years of full-time leadership

Qualifications

• Ordained or mandated by a nationally registered Faith Tradition.
• Graduate-level professional degree in Faith Tradition formation (MDiv or equivalent).
• At least two years of full-time, supervised Faith Tradition leadership experience.
• Recommendation of a representative of the ICCMC and endorsement of the ICCMC.
• Selected by the Chaplain General.

Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual, religious and pastoral care to CAF members and families.
• Offer counselling, programmes and events; participate in public services and ceremonies.

Skills

Pastoral care

Leadership experience

Counselling

Education

MDiv or equivalent graduate degree

Graduate-level degree in Faith Tradition formation

Job description

Overview

As a member of the military, CAF chaplains are responsible for fostering the spiritual, religious, and pastoral care of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families, regardless of religious affiliation, practice, and/or belief.

Work environment

CAF chaplains work in all military environments with members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the Canadian Army (CA), the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and Canadian Special Operations Forces (CANSOF). CAF chaplains provide an active, personal and supportive presence, and offer spiritual and personal growth counselling, programmes, and events throughout the year. Public services and military ceremonies typically require the chaplain to participate and offer spiritual reflections. CAF chaplain can work in Canada, or may be required to go abroad during operations. If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

Chaplains must be ordained or mandated by a nationally registered Faith Tradition, and have a Graduate-level professional degree in Faith Tradition formation (MDiv or equivalent), be a member in good standing with a national Faith Tradition Governing Authority, and have at least two years of fulltime, supervised Faith Tradition leadership experience. They must also receive the recommendation of a representative of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC), the endorsement of the ICCMC, and be selected by the Chaplain General.

The ideal candidate already have a Graduate-level professional degree in Faith Tradition formation (MDiv or equivalent) and at least two years of fulltime, supervised Faith Tradition leadership experience, the CAF may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following Basic Military Officer Qualification training.

For more information about entry plans and becoming a Chaplain, you may contact the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service:

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]

Regional Chaplains Contact Information

Alberta and the North
Chaplain, 3rd Canadian Division
Capt Bryan Bowley
Email: [e-mail]
Edmonton 780-973-4011 x8141

Manitoba and Saskatchewan
1 Canadian Air Division Chaplain
Maj Henry Hoy
Email: [e-mail]
Winnipeg 204-833-2500 x2267

Ontario
Chaplain, 4th Canadian Division
Capt Adnan Balihodzic
Email: [e-mail]
Toronto 416-633-6200 x5314

Quebec
Chaplain, 2nd Canadian Division
Lt(N) Monika Pinto Lee
Email: [e-mail]
Montréal 514-252-2777 x4032

Maritimes
Chaplain, 5th Canadian Division
Lt(N) Stephen Cogswell
Email: [e-mail]
Halifax 902-427-7849

British Colombia
Chaplain, Joint Task Force Pacific
Lt(N) Peter Han
Email: [e-mail]
Esquimalt 250-363-4180

Training

After being posted, you will prepare for basic training by completing the 12 week intensive Basic Military Officer Qualification training programme at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the CAF, basic weapons safe handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic Military Officer Qualification training is provided in English or French, and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

Following the successful completion of Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ), chaplains will spend the next 12-18 months engaged in various online and in-person professional development courses. Courses include: Basic Occupation Qualification (BOQ), Intermediate Ethics, Chaplain Counselling Skills, Chaplain in Deployed Operations, Canadian Armed Forces Junior Officer Development (CAFJOD) programme, as well as any element-specific training requirements.

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at Reserve Unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they may volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

CAF chaplains work in all military environments with members of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. CAF chaplains provide an active, personal and supportive presence, and offer spiritual and personal growth counselling, programmes, and events to all members of the CAF, regardless of religious affiliation. Public services and military ceremonies typically require the chaplain to participate and offer spiritual reflections. When employed on a part-time or casual fulltime basis CAF chaplains usually serve at CAF bases, wings, home ports, and reserve units located in Canada.

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Basic training consists of two required components: Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ) training and Basic Occupational Qualification (BOQ) training. Additional courses may be available over the course of a Chaplain’s career.

Reserve Force members usually serve part‑time with their home unit on scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in fulltime positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a competitive benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

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