Veterans Health Administration Jobs 2026 – Clinical Chaplain Pastoral Educator (CPE in Washington

Salary / Pay Package: $91,627 - $119,120 per year.

To qualify for this GS-12 Clinical Chaplain Pastoral Educator position, you must meet basic requirements including U.S. Citizenship, English proficiency, and a Master of Divinity or equivalent graduate theological degree from an accredited institution. Additionally, you must be a board-certified chaplain with current ecclesiastical endorsement and CPE educator certification.

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited (38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)).
• Proficiency in spoken and written English (38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)).
• Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate theological degree from a CHEA- or ATS-accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be evaluated by a NACES member agency.
• Board certification as a chaplain by BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with reciprocity agreement; certification requiring 4 units of CPE is qualifying.
• Current ecclesiastical endorsement dated within the past 12 months from the applicant's faith group's national endorsing authority.
• CPE Educator certification by an agency whose CPE units are recognized by BCCI or a reciprocating body.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-11, including advance care planning education, spiritual counseling, staff resiliency support, and training healthcare staff in spiritual screening.
• Must pass pre-employment physical, background/security investigation, and participate in seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Completion of a 1- or 2-year trial period as a condition of employment.

Provide complete religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to Veterans, caregivers, and staff across all patient care settings.

• Serve as certified CPE educator, managing daily operations of the CPE Center, developing curricula, and supervising students.
• Recruit, interview, and select students for the CPE program; maintain records for accreditation and compliance.
• Develop and implement outcome-oriented, evidence-based educational curricula meeting board certification competencies.
• Provide extended pastoral counseling to patients facing complex ethical, moral, or spiritual issues.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment teams to integrate spiritual care into complete healthcare services.
• Coordinate with community organizations for spiritual care and educational outreach.
• Conduct research and evaluate program effectiveness to improve educational services and spiritual care practices.

Open the USAJOBS announcement for Clinical Chaplain Pastoral Educator (CPE) at www.usajobs.gov (Job ID: 848359100).

• With your USAJOBS or Login.gov account. If you don't have an account, create one.
• Complete the online occupational questionnaire and attach your federal resume, transcripts, board certification, ecclesiastical endorsement, and CPE certification.
• Submit your complete application package by 11:59 PM ET on September 10, 2026.
• After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. Check your application status in USAJOBS.

This position is open to U.S. citizens only. Non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens are not available.

• The salary range is $91,627
• $119,120 per year (GS-12).
• Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Telework is not available.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized.
• A 1- or 2-year trial period is required. Continued employment depends on performance and public interest.
• Applicants must provide a complete application package including resume, transcripts, board certification, ecclesiastical endorsement, and CPE certification.
• For questions, contact Amberly Betsill at (412) 822-3105 or [email protected].

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, providing care to over 9 million Veterans annually. VHA operates through medical centers, clinics, and community-based outpatient facilities nationwide, with a mission to honor America's Veterans by delivering exceptional healthcare that improves their health and well-being. This Clinical Chaplain Pastoral Educator position is part of VHA's Chaplain Service, which integrates spiritual care into patient treatment plans and trains future chaplains through accredited Clinical Pastoral Education programs. The role supports VHA's commitment to whole-health, patient-centered care. Working at VHA offers the opportunity to serve those who have served the country, with access to federal benefits, structured career progression, and a multidisciplinary environment focused on innovation and compassion.