Requirements
Conditions of employment
This position is in the excepted service. It is excluded from the provisions of the career transition assistance program, and is subject to a trial period.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Key Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship is Required.
- See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
- Selective Service Requirement
Qualifications
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 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.
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.
NOTE: All applicants MUST clearly address the Selective Factor in their resume and, if applicable, upload any required documentation (i.e., licensure, certification, or transcripts) at the time you apply.
ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MUST BE UPLOADED AT THE TIME YOU APPLY
You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2027.
Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment which is part of your 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
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
AGE REQUIREMENTS:
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 09/30/2027 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-09/01 $63,780 to highest GS-12/10 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA $145,468. See current pay scales for locality area for which you are applying at OPM 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.
Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
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.
Required Documents
Failure to provide legible required documents and/or follow the prescribed format often results in removal from consideration. If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc. Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD-214, or Transcripts.
Veterans' Preference Documentation:
Failure to submit all required documents at the time of application will result in the loss of claimed preference eligibility.
- DD-214: 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).
- 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, you must submit:
- A completed Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" andall required documentation identified on the SF-15.
- Note: A Department of Veterans Affairs letter must contain the Veteran's Name and Combined Service-Connected Evaluation.
- For a copy of the most current SF-15, Click Here.
- 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:
- the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and
- the character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and
- any qualifying service/campaign/expeditionary medals
Resume - All Applicants:
You must submit a resume
(a two page or less resume is required) that includes your name, contact information, and relevant experience (cover letter optional).Additionally, for each job entry listed in your employment history, you must include:
- Official position title,
- Employer name and contact information,
- Start and end dates (month and year, MM/YYYY, format),
- Indicate number of hours worked per week, and
- A list of duties performed and accomplishments.
Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence of qualifying experience (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, MOU, etc.). If providing a memorandum, it must follow the format above AND clearly cite the duties performed.
For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my resume?
College Transcripts:
If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required, you must submit a transcript containing a school name and student name in addition to full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award (if applicable).
Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your first day.
SF-50: If you are a current/former federal government employee, you must provide an unredacted copy of your latest SF-50.
Proof of ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility:
If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under
CTAP or ICTAP, you must submit:
- A copy of the agency notice (i.e., letter of intent to separate, separation notice, or agency RIF letter),
- Your most recent performance appraisal, and
- Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
Professional Certification/License: if applicable.
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.