CHAPLAIN (TITLE 32)

Clarification from the agency

About the Position: This is an open continuous announcement. Initial pull will be 13 August 2026. Recruitment will continue through the announcement closing date until the position is filled.

As a CHAPLAIN (TITLE 32), GS-0060-11, you will manage the state National Guard Chaplain Service (NGCS) religious program, and to ensure the free exercise of religion for National Guard personnel and their families.

Major Duties - This is NOT an all-inclusive list:

• Provide full program management services for the State/Territory Chaplain in accordance with National Guard Chaplain Service program goals and objectives.
• Ensure program changes are compatible and compliant with policies, practices and program goals and objectives established by NGB Office of the Chaplain (NGB-OC).
• Independently develop and implement the various Chaplain Service functions addressed in the CMRP.
• Coordinate Chaplain Service personnel attendance at conference, workshops, and training events such as Chaplain Regional Support Training (CREST), Marriage Enhancement Programs, Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training Programs and other training events established by the National Guard Bureau's Chaplain's Office.
• Coordinate chaplain quality of life programs (e.g. marriage enrichment retreats, post-combat recovery and reintegration, family reunion briefing, stress management briefings, etc.) to National Guard personnel and their families.
• Provide chaplain support services for National Guard personnel and their families through the full spectrum of the deployment cycle (mobilization, deployment, employment, redeployment, and reconstitution).
• Coordinate chaplain stress management reduction efforts during all phases of the deployment cycle.
• Procure and maintain adequate religious supplies ensuring their distribution through the coordination efforts of Family Readiness Groups, chaplain, chaplain assistant, and other supporting chaplains.
• Under the Supervision of the Chief of Staff , TAG, and State level Chaplain(on M-Day status), coordinates Chaplain Service support during events such as natural disasters(floods, hurricanes, tornados, snowstorms, tsunamis, etc.), man-made disasters (acts of terrorism and technological events, etc.), unit emergencies (suicide, line-of-duty deaths, and serious line-of-duty injuries), and during times of significant national events (Olympics, national conventions and inaugurations, etc.).
• Provide and/or coordinate religious support to National Guard personnel and their families as needed.
• Direct Religious Support to Personnel such as Religious rites, sacraments and observances, religious services, Officiating at ceremonies, Pastoral counseling and referral, Visitation, Personnel management issues, and Crisis responder.

Conditions of employment

• This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the Illinois National Guard and in the military grade listed in the announcement. This is required prior to the effective date of placement. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
• Selectee will be required to wear a military uniform.
• Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
• IAW The Fair Chance Act, Agency employees may not request criminal history information at the point of initial application, upon receipt of an application, or prior to, during or after a job interview. If an Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration of Employment is submitted prior to the point of a conditional offer, questions related to background information section may not be asked.
• Candidates must complete the (Army) Chaplain Officer Basic Course.
• Candidates must be ordained by a religious faith group or denomination that is recognized by the Department of Defense Armed Forces Chaplain Board; be educationally qualified for appointment as a chaplain; meet physical standards; and be otherwise qualified to serve as commissioned officers. Applicants must be commissioned prior to age 40 or be less than age 42 with at least 2 years of prior military service.
• Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

Qualifications

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: The areas of considerations for this position, Title 32 Excepted Service (32 U.S. Code § 709), will be in the following manner and sequence,

• The FIRST area of consideration for this position will be all excepted permanent and indefinite temporary technicians within the ILNG.
• The SECOND area of consideration will be all current Federal Employees.
• The THIRD area of consideration will be all Federal re-employment eligible.
• The FOURTH area of consideration will be applicants willing to become T32 Dual Status Technicians and gain ILNG membership.
• The FIFTH area of consideration will be all U.S. Citizens.

Military Grades: Officer only - Minimum O2 - Maximum O5

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: MUST possess a baccalaureate degree (not less than 120 semester hours) and successfully completed three years of resident graduate study in theology or related subjects (Master of Divinity), or 72 semester hours (leading to an ecclesiastical certification as a member of the clergy) from an approved seminary or graduate school.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-11 Level MUST possess at least 3-years'experience, education or training that included progressively responsible work in a professional program of spiritual welfare and religious guidance which demonstrates or provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for successful performance of the position? Note: The major functional areas that comprise the total range of chaplaincy work are (1) the religious ministry, (2) administration, (3) training, and (4) research.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experience; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed below. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Oral Communication
• Program Management
• Therapy and Counseling

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Your resume clearly demonstrates experience that meets the requirements of this position. Your resume must contain identifiable information such as your name, address, and phone number. It should also show your work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed. Resume must not exceed 2 pages.

• OFFICIAL Transcript (copy)
• SF-50 - Must include if you are a current or previous federal employee.

Other supporting documents (as applicable):

• Certifications
• DD-214
• NGIL Form 73

https://www.il.ngb.army.mil/Portals/30/Documents/Jobs/NGILForm73.pdf?ver=2019-05-01-161908-260

*NGIL Form 73 - Illinois National Guard Technician Program Supplement to Application for Dual Status (DS), to reflect military qualifications.

Complete and accurate data is essential to ensure fair evaluation, applicants with no military qualifications must submit form stating, "not applicable" and signature on page 2 of the NGIL Form 73.

Documents NOT accepted: photographs, copies of position descriptions, training certificates, performance ratings, awards, and letters of appreciation.

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