Chaplain

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.