Chaplain II

Texas Health and Human Services; Terrell (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Career growth

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking a Chaplain II at Terrell State Hospital to provide pastoral care, lead religious services, and coordinate spiritual programs for patients and staff.

This full-time, day-shift role requires collaboration with an interdisciplinary team; telework is not eligible, and travel up to 10% may be required. The department offers benefits including health insurance, a pension, paid time off, and career advancement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience as ordained minister or ecclesiastical chaplain in healthcare settings.
• Bachelor's degree; preferred.
• Board Certification preferred or required where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Lead regular and special religious services and pastoral care for clients and families.
• Coordinate religious services and spiritual groups for patients and staff.
• Counsel staff and communicate religious needs to interdisciplinary teams; prepare calendars/planners.

Skills

Counseling

Communication

Supervision

Program development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Date: Oct 7, 2026

Location:

TERRELL, TX

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Chaplain II Job Title: Chaplain II Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Chaplaincy Posting Number: 22139 Closing Date: 10/21/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Healthcare Support Salary Range: $4,020.33 - $6,335.66 Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19 Shift: Day

Additional Shift

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 10% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location: Terrell State Hospital

Job Location City: TERRELL

Job Location Address: 1200 E BRIN

Other Locations

MOS Codes: 410X,52RX,56A,56D,56M,5R0X1,92R0,NAP13,RP

Brief Job Description

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Chaplain II performs complex (journey-level) ministerial clergy work including preaching, conducting the regular and special religious services, and providing pastoral care and counseling for our clients and their families. Other duties include arranging for sacramental services for clients of other religious backgrounds, documenting on patients' attendance and their response to interventions offered in order to provide information regarding progress or regression to other disciplines, and counseling institutional staff and conducts group seminars to communicate the religious needs of clients and will prepare monthly calendars/activity planners in accordance with departmental guidelines, ensuring necessary materials are available and maintains work area by completing housekeeping tasks specific to assigned area to provide a clean, safe and pleasant environment. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Coordinates religious and spiritual services and groups to meet the diverse needs of patients, ensuring the availability of both regularly scheduled services and those provided on an as-needed basis. This includes organizing worship services, prayer groups, and other spiritual activities, as well as responding promptly to individual requests for religious support.
• Advocates across all levels of the hospital, working closely with staff members, administrators, and healthcare providers to ensure that the religious and spiritual needs of patients and staff are recognized, respected, and fully supported. This includes facilitating communication between patients and their faith communities, providing appropriate resources, and fostering an environment of understanding and sensitivity to diverse religious practices and beliefs.
• Counsels institutional staff and conducts group seminars to communicate the religious needs of clients and will prepare monthly calendars/activity planners in accordance with departmental guidelines, ensuring necessary materials are available and maintains work area by completing housekeeping tasks specific to assigned area to provide a clean, safe, and pleasant environment.
• Provides sacramental services for patients in accordance with the practices and customs of the chaplain's faith. Indicates that arrangements for sacramental services for clients of other religious backgrounds are made as requested and that sacramental ministry is provided in accordance with state laws, board policies, Texas Administrative Code and State Hospital (SH) policies and procedures.
• Makes pastoral visits to individuals who are critically ill and new and existing clients based on referrals from the social and nursing assessments and/or personal requests from clients and/or clinicians.
• Arranges for sacramental services for clients of other religious backgrounds and sacramental services for patients in accordance with the practices and customs of the chaplain's faith. Indicates that arrangements for sacramental services for clients of other religious backgrounds are made as requested and that sacramental ministry is provided in accordance with the religious practices and customs faith.
• Supervises the work of a Chaplaincy Services Assistant, and/or Administrative Assistant (AA), providing daily guidance and support for job functions. Provides constructive feedback on job performance, timekeeping, and completes the annual performance evaluation.
• Works as a member of the Center’s interdisciplinary teams to assist in evaluating individual spiritual needs and developing a means to assist in participation in spiritual expression. Documenting on patients' attendance and their response to interventions offered in order to provide information regarding progress or regression to other disciplines.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of faith spiritual/religious beliefs, and practices of various faith traditions and non-religious spiritualities.
• Knowledge of the professional literature in the field.
• Knowledge of Seismic training. Can be provided by state hospitals and must be attained within six months.
• Skills in counseling clients and their families.
• Skills in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to provide sacramental services, develop new chaplaincy programs, network, and build relationships with faith communities, and with social justice agencies; communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
• Ability to participate willingly with faith communities and welfare organizations, furnishing leadership where required; and to interpret clearly and lucidly the spiritual/religious needs of the residents to the community clergy and staff.
• Ability to choose methods of individual & group supervision appropriate to specific individuals & groups.
• Ability to supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

Board Certified with a Professional Chaplaincy Cognate Group is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria

• Experience as an ordained minister in a parish setting, or as an ecclesiastical endorsed professional chaplain in a healthcare setting.
• Graduation from an accredited undergraduate-level university/college, with a Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree preferred.

Additional Information

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, And Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks And Work Eligibility

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks. HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.

Nearest Major Market: San Antonio