Chaplain

Bureau of Prisons / Federal Prison System; Aliceville (AL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Prisons seeks a chaplaincy professional to provide religious ministry within a federal correctional setting. The role requires a Masters of Divinity or equivalent and ecclesiastical endorsement, with substantial hours in pastoral ministry and religious studies.

Candidates must meet the education and professional ministry requirements, including CPE experience as applicable, and will operate in an environment focused on humane, secure correctional services and inmate reentry

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university.
• Advanced religious education required: Master of Divinity or equivalent with extensive theological coursework.
• Endorsement from an ecclesiastical body is required.
• Documentation of religious credentials or recognized roles in faith communities.

Skills

Pastoral ministry

Religious leadership

Ethical discernment

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master of Divinity or equivalent

Job description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances (COLA): There is an 8.64% (of basic pay) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) authorized for FDC Honolulu, HI, and a 2.49% for MDC Guaynabo, PR. See COLA and Locality Pay Rates in Nonforeign Areas for more information.

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following basic qualification requirements:

Education

Bachelor's Degree: An applicant must have a conferred 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university.

AND

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

An Ecclesiastical Endorsement attests to the applicant's suitability for correctional ministry, support for his or her candidacy, a clear assurance statement that the applicant has no present or past legal or moral barrier to congregational ministry, and an affirmation that the applicant will facilitate inmates of all faiths opportunities to pursue individual religious beliefs and practices. The applicant's relationship to the endorsing body must reflect a minimum of two years association before endorsement.

Religious Credentials

Applicants will be ordained clergy or members of ecclesiastically recognized religious institutes of vowed men or women. In lieu of professional ordination credentials, adequate documentation of the applicant's recognized religious and ministerial roles in their respective faith communities is required.

In addition to the above Basic Requirements, applicants must meet the following qualification requirements:

Qualification Requirements

Master's degree

GL-09, GS-11, GS-12

Candidates must have a Master of Divinity or equivalent theological education. Equivalent theological education represented by a conferred degree comprised of no less than 72 semester hours of graduate coursework including:

• 20 semester hours in pastoral ministry;
• 20 semester hours in any combination of theology, ethics, and philosophy of religion;
• 20 semester hours in the study of sacred writings, including the study of languages in which sacred writings are/were written;
• 12 semester hours in religious history and/or world religions.

Applicants who meet the Basic Requirements and graduate education requirements qualify for GL-09 grade level.

AND

Professional Ministry Experience (Specialized Experience)

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units can be credited towards professional ministry experience. All professional ministry experience must be gained while in a relationship with the endorsing religious organization.

GS-11: 2,080 hours (1 year) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

GS-12: 4,160 hours (2 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

Note: Each CPE unit earned will count as 520 hours of professional ministry experience.

OR

Professional Ministry Experience In lieu of Graduate Theological Degree

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units can be credited towards professional ministry experience. All professional ministry experience must be gained while in a relationship with the endorsing religious organization.

Applicants who meet the Basic Requirements, but do not meet the graduate education requirement, may be found qualified with Professional Ministry Experience.

GL-09: 6,240 hours (3 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

GS-11: 8,320 hours (4 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

GS-12: 10,400 hours (5 years) full-time specialized experience at the next lower grade.

Note: Each CPE unit earned will count as 520 hours of professional ministry experience.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units can be credited towards professional ministry experience. All professional ministry experience must be gained while in a relationship with the endorsing religious organization.

Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and/or professional ministry experience.

GL-09: 6,240 hours (3 years) of a combination of qualifying theological education, CPE units, and/or professional ministry experience.

GS-11: 8,320 hours (4 years) of a combination of qualifying theological education, CPE units, and/or professional ministry experience.

GS-12: 10,400 hours (5 years) of a combination of qualifying theological education, CPE units, and/or professional ministry experience.

Note A two-year conferred graduate theological or religious degree will qualify as 4,160 hours (2 years) of professional ministry experience. Each CPE unit earned will count as 520 hours of professional ministry experience.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, the experience must be properly documented in the resume (see Required Documents section below for more information).

AND

Selective Placement Factor

Applicants applying for this position MUST also possess the following Selective Factor. In the event you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for the position.

BUDDHIST

GS-09: Applicant must be of a Buddhist community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of a Buddhist community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Buddhist faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of a Buddhist community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Buddhist faith.

CATHOLIC

GS-09: Applicant must be of a Catholic community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of a Catholic community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Catholic faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of a Catholic community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Catholic faith.

JEWISH

GS-09: Applicant must be of a Jewish community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of a Jewish community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Jewish faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of a Jewish community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Jewish faith.

ISLAMIC

GS-09: Applicant must be of an Islamic community.

GS-11: Applicant must be of an Islamic community and have a minimum of 1 year of formal ministry experience in the Islamic faith.

GS-12: Applicant must be of an Islamic community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Islamic faith.