Chaplain

US Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System; Aliceville (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

US Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System seeks qualified chaplains to provide religious ministry in correctional settings. Candidates must hold a Master of Divinity or equivalent, with substantial graduate theological study, and demonstrate endorsed religious leadership aligned with the organization.

Selected candidates must meet a Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, or Islamic selective factor and have documented hours of professional ministry.

Qualifications

• Master's degree: Master of Divinity or equivalent theological education.
• Equivalent theological education with 72 semester hours of graduate coursework.
• 72 hours split across pastoral ministry, theology/ethics/philosophy, sacred writings, and religious history.
• Professional ministry experience in religious leadership within the endorsing organization.
• CPE units count toward professional ministry experience where applicable.
• Graduate education or professional ministry experience can be substituted as specified.
• Selective Placement Factor: Buddhism, Catholic, Jewish, or Islamic faith communities with required experience.

Skills

Pastoral ministry

Religious leadership

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

Education

Master of Divinity

Job description

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

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 two-year association before endorsement.

AND

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; and
• 20 semester hours in any combination of theology, ethics, and philosophy of religion; and
• 20 semester hours in the study of sacred writings, including the study of languages in which sacred writings are/were written; and
• 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.