About This Position
Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
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. OR Experience: (3) Professional Ministry Experience In lieu of Graduate Theological Degree: 6,240 hours of pastoral/spiritual leadership experience as described below and in addition to the experience requirements below. AND (4) 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 Professional Ministry Experience (Experience): GS-09: Applicants are not required to have additional specific amount of pastoral/spiritual leadership experience provided they meet all other qualification requirements for the position. GS-11: Applicants must have at least 2,080 hours of pastoral/spiritual leadership experience. This is equivalent to one year 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. GS-12: 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 2,080 hours of experience requirements above. 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. Basic requirements qualify applicants for the GL-09 grade level. 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 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.
Major 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.
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.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Rule of Many Rating Procedures: Applicants are ranked in score order based on assessment rating plus veterans' preference points, as applicable. All qualified applicants will be referred for consideration. 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.
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-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 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 a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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. Exceptions may apply. See 5 CFR part 11.
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. Limit your resume to 2 pages. If the only resume(s) received is/are longer than two pages, your application is ineligible for further consideration. 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. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. USAJOBS Help Center - How to add a resume to your profile 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. You MUST include the vacancy announcement number on your supporting documentation. Supporting documentation for announcements with an application limitation MUST be uploaded the same day you apply, as these positions may close earlier than stated in the 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. If applicable see Notice for Preference Eligible Veterans Applicants. 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: [email protected] Phone: 972-352-4200
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" AND all 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: (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. Resume: Resume limited to 2 pages showing relevant experience (cover letter optional). 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, etc.) To receive credit for experience contained in an application, the experience must be documented: Reflecting start date and end date in month/year format (MM/YYYY) AND Include the number of hours worked per week. College transcript: includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree, and Date Awarded (if applicable). NOTE: If you are selected, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day. SF-50: for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable. For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my resume? We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Chaplain position at Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System?
The salary range for this position is $63,780 - $145,468/yr. This is a GS-09/12 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Chaplain job located?
This position is located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
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 ...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Sep 30, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does GS-09/12 mean?
GS-09/12 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.