Chaplain Job in Prisons - Nationwide

Vacancy No. CHAP-2025-0001 Department Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
Salary $86,962.00 to $140,713.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/1/2024 Close Date 9/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Prisons - Nationwide


Summary

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

Our highly-skilled, diverse, and innovative workforce creates a strong foundation of safety and security. Through the principles of humanity and normalcy, we develop good neighbors.

Duties

Provides a full pastoral ministry to inmates of all faith groups which includes opportunities for their public and private worship on Sundays and other such holy days as are appropriate within each faith group.

Assists in maintaining and conducting a well-rounded program of religious instruction including classes, correspondence, work and discussion groups.

Maintains a close working relationship with other departments within the institution for the purpose of inmate treatment and rehabilitation, as well as for the purpose of coordinating activities within the framework of the correctional institution.

Maintains close ties with own denomination ensuring current religious endorsement and attends meetings called by the denomination in order to maintain this standing.

Supervises contract workers and volunteers who provide religious activities for the inmate population.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
  • Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1)this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: Click Here

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: Click Here

Qualifications

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

Education:

(1) Bachelor’s Degree: An applicant must possess an earned baccalaureate degree with no less than 120 semester hours from a qualifying educational institution.

AND

(2) Graduate Theological Degree: An applicant must also possess the degree of Master of Divinity or equivalent theological educational qualifications. Equivalent educational qualifications means 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.

Formal Supervised Ministry Training: If the Master’s degree program does not indicate formal supervised ministry experience, applicants must have documentation of completing formal training in supervised ministry (e.g. Clinical Pastoral Education [CPE], field theological education program, or professional ministry internship, etc.).

AND

Experience:

Professional Ministry Experience:  Applicants must have at least 4,160 hours of pastoral/spiritual leadership experience. This is equivalent to two years of full-time formal religious leadership experience compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant’s religious organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. This experience must be gained while in a relationship with the endorsing religious organization.  Four units of CPE may satisfy up to one year of the requirement of pastoral and spiritual leadership experience.

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.

In order to receive full consideration for this vacancy, you are required to complete and submit the Bureau of Prisons' Ecclesiastical Endorsement Form (BP-A0679). A copy of this form can be obtained by accessing www.bop.gov or Clicking Here and then click on "Find a Form".

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.

AND

In some cases, specific religious representation is needed.  In those specific cases the applicant MUST possesses one of the listed Selective Placement Factors.  In these specific cases, if you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible. When specific religious representation is not needed, Selected Placement Factors will not be used to evaluate your qualifications.

Selective Placement Factor:

  • Buddhist: The applicant must be of a Buddhist community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Buddhist faith.
  • Catholic: The applicant must be of a Catholic community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Catholic faith.
  • Islamic: The applicant must be of an Islamic community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Islamic faith.
  • Jewish: The applicant must be of a Jewish community and have a minimum of 2 years of formal ministry experience in the Jewish faith.

NOTE:  ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MUST BE UPLOADED AT THE TIME YOU APPLY. 

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.

Education

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

Additional information

All Chaplain applicants can be considered at any age.  Age waivers are not needed for:

  • Applicants with prior federal law enforcement coverage.
  • Applicants who have been endorsed by the Catholic, Islamic or Jewish faiths.

All others over the age of 36 require an approved age waiver prior to entry on duty.

You must ensure you provide the documentation listed in the "Required Documents" section to support your claim.  Failure to provide the required documentation may result in not receiving consideration for this position. 

LENGTH OF ELIBILITY: Eligible applicants will remain on the inventory until the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

NOTE: This announcement is posted on a yearly cycle.  This announcement will EXPIRE on the listed closing date at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  In order to receive consideration for the next cycle, applicants MUST reapply to the new vacancy announcement. 

SALARY RANGE:  The salary range for this announcement reflects Rest of US GS-012/01 @ $86,962 to highest GS-12/10 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA @ $140,713.  See current pay scales for locality area for which you are applying at www.opm.gov and search pay tables.

Special Conditions of Employment Section: 

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to, and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check.

All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.

The Core Value Assessment (CVA) is an in-person assessment that must be facilitated at a Bureau of Prisons Human Resource Servicing office.  On the day of the scheduled interview, a CVA will be administered.  The applicant assessment must be completed within a 70 minute time period and a passing score of 68 must be obtained.  Further employment consideration will not be extended if the applicant fails to complete the examination or fails to achieve a passing score.  Note: The Core Value Assessment will not be administered to current BOP employees.

Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.

Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

ADDITIONAL SALARY INFORMATION:

Recruitment Incentive may be paid to selectee(s) who meets the criteria for Recruitment Bonuses.  Retention Incentives may be initiated upon completion of the recruitment service agreement period.

A 25% Recruitment Incentive at: 

  • Brooklyn MDC
  • Yazoo City FCC

A 17% Recruitment Incentive at:

  • Atwater USP
  • Herlong FCI
  • Mendota FCI

A 15% Recruitment Incentive at: 

  • Dublin FCI
  • Victorville FCC

Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is authorized at:

  • FDC Honolulu, HI - 8.90% 
  • MDC Guaynabo, PR - 2.63% 

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Rule of Three Rating Procedures: Applicants are ranked in score order based on assessment rating plus veterans’ preference points, as applicable.

Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, etc.) that includes specific timeframes (MM/YYYY) format and number of hours performing duties.

What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position?

The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required:

  • Pastoral Care
  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Planning and Evaluation

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  • Veterans' Preference Documentation:  Veterans MUST provide a DD-214 demonstrating that they have been discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge).
  • If you are on active duty and expect to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days, you may submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the appropriate Branch Personnel Office containing the following information: (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) and the character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and (3) any qualifying service/campaign/expeditionary medals.
  • SF-15: If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, submit a completed Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference"; all other required documentation identified on the SF-15, in addition to the veteran's DD-214 described above.  A Department of Veterans Affairs letter must contain: the Veteran’s Name and Combined Service-Connected Evaluation.
  • Failure to submit all required documents at the time of application will result in the loss of claimed preference eligibility.
  • Resume: showing relevant experience (cover letter optional).
  • In order to receive credit for experience contained in an application, your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date and include the number of hours worked per week.  Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.
  • College transcript: which includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). (Note:  If you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day).
  • SF-50: for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.
  • Ecclesiastical Endorsement Form
  • Copy of Ordination Certificate

USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my resume?

Failure to provide these documents could possibly result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.  If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc.  Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD214, or Transcripts.

We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

You must apply through the online application system at www.USAJOBS.gov. Follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions and submit all required documents.

NOTE: Submission of a resume alone is not a complete application. This position may require the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described under the Required Documents section. Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the "How to Apply" instructions. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment.

Claiming Veterans Preference? If yes, you MUST claim preference on-line during the application process and upload documentation to support preference claimed. Failure to claim Veterans Preference or provide supporting documentation may result in you not receiving appropriate consideration during the assessment process.

Required supporting documentation must be electronically uploaded or transferred from USAJOBS (uploaded).

All required supporting documentation MUST be received by the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Paper applications: If applying online is impossible, please contact the Consolidated Staffing Unit at the telephone number listed below, prior to the closing date of the announcement for the alternate application procedure.

Contact for Assistance in Applying On-Line:
DOJ, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Consolidated Staffing Unit
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, TX 75051
E-Mail: BOP-HRM-HRSC-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-S@bop.gov
Phone: 972-352-4200

Agency contact information

CSU
Address
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
Consolidated Staffing Unit
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, Texas 75051
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed.  

Applicants will be notified via e-mail, to the e-mail address registered in USAJOBS.  The referral certificate or list of eligibles will then be issued to the selecting official for further consideration.  

The Human Resource Office may then contact you for an interview if they wish.  We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.

Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an Inquiry of Availability (OF-5 Form) via e-mail, mail or a telephone inquiry from the local Human Resource Department.  Applicants MUST complete the OF-5 form and return it to the Human Resource Management Office or contact the Human Resource Department telephonically or via e-mail.  

Applicants MUST also telephone the Human Resource Department during normal business hours to schedule an interview.  Failure to either return the form or contact the Human Resource Department will result in a loss of consideration for the position.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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