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Navy

Reserve Chaplain

You are the Navy’s spiritual anchor, providing ministry, friendship, comfort and guidance to military and civilian personnel, and their families.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Education & Support roles | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    Officer entry, Navy Reserve

  • Daily Initial Rate

    $231

  • Location

    Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin

You're appointed to provide ministry and pastoral care to Defence Force personnel and their families.

A friend and advisor to all, you provide spiritual, religious and moral advice and assist with life-skills education.

It is a unique ministry which can take you to the four corners of the earth, on sea, or land deployments, wherever Defence Force personnel are required to serve. 

You are responsible at both official and personal levels, for conducting religious services and ceremonial duties.

You need to be available to assist in times of crisis or emergency, both at the personal and organisational level, and are expected to observe high levels of confidentiality and integrity.

If you have referred to the minimum requirements below but would like more information on this role please email specialists@defencecareers.mil.nz 

Requirements

Basics

  • Be ordained, licensed, commissioned or otherwise fully authorised to officiate on behalf of your denomination.
  • Have normally completed five years of full-time pastoral ministry since ordination.

Education

Applicants are to have a recognised tertiary theological qualification and experience in pastoral ministry in accordance with their own denominational requirements.  In addition applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Be in good standing with their denomination, and have the support of their denomination.
  • Have their application endorsed by the Chaplains Defence Advisory Council.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate effectively with a diverse range of people.
  • Familiarity with, and application of, standard computer systems. 

Fitness & Medical

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade. You must be free of any criminal conviction for the previous two years.

Find out if you’re eligible here.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

  • Job on deployment

    While on deployment a Chaplain will conduct many of the same duties as in their camp/base role, as well as duties specific to an operational environment.

     

    Due to the increased danger and higher risk to life while in theatre, a Chaplain may be called upon to conduct funerals/tangi, conduct memorial services or assist with Critical Incident Management. In line with this they may be required to provide ongoing grief support with a view to keeping deployed personnel focussed on the mission.

     

    Chaplains seek to be a non anxious presence. They can also act as a bridge builder between the host community and the contingent, especially where religion is held in high regard.

     

    As a trained first-line counsellor, the Chaplain fosters morale and nurtures the human spirit/wairua. 

  • Job on base

    You will wear the uniform, come under the Defence Act, and undergo the same indoctrination and training as others who take up the profession-of-arms. As a Chaplain, however, you will be primarily concerned for the spiritual and pastoral care of the individual, and bring to the Royal New Zealand Navy your particular skills which will include:

     

    • a professional theological qualification, having been trained to perform all the functions of clergy
    • a wide variety of experiences of life and integrated belief systems, bringing a vital faith which enables sailors to address the many challenges of Service life
    • by virtue of your ordination, you will be called to a ministry committed to a life of service, and to a self-sacrificing concern for the welfare of others
    • with your commitment to pastoral care you will bring a willingness to challenge those issues which need to be confronted and to speak out when necessary, and to champion truth and justice at any cost

Career progression and training

01Training Overview

02Time Commitment

03Basic Training - JOCT

04Job Training - Chaplain

05Career Progression

Salary & Benefits

As a Navy Reserve Officer, the minimum remuneration you will be paid is a daily rate, plus an allowance for holiday pay. The NZDF also pays 4% Kiwisaver on top of your personal contribution. Your remuneration will increase on promotion and seniority.

Be Prepared

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Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
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The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Navy career?

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