Provide spiritual, emotional, and psychological support to residents, families, and staff through pastoral presence and individualized care. Lead liturgical celebrations, coordinate memorial services, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote holistic well-being.
Requirements summary
Requires a Bachelor's degree in theology or a related field (Master's preferred) and at least two years of chaplaincy experience. Candidates must be certification-eligible through NACC or ACPE and eligible to serve as a Eucharistic Minister.
1 Mercy Retirement & Care Center 1 3431 Foothill Blvs 11 Oakland CA 94601 1 This is a part time role paying $30-33 per hour. We look forward to discussing this opportunity with you!! Founded over 40 years ago by the senior residents of Mercy Retirement & Care Center in Oakland, we’ve been serving older adults across Alameda County ever since with fresh, healthy groceries. The need has grown as the senior population has boomed, and inflation escalated, so in 2025 we are now serving over 10,000 (very) low-income seniors - twice a month. Headquartered in Oakland, we’re a small but mighty team, powered by 500+ volunteers who are dedicated to improving lives. We are looking for a passionate, driven individual to join us in this mission and work in this critical arm of Brown Bag. If you want to make a real, lasting impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable of our neighbors, we want you on our team! Ready to make a difference? Apply today and help us continue to serve those who need us most! Our Chaplains provide spiritual, emotional, and psychological support to residents, their families, and team members who care for them. Responsibilities include offering pastoral presence, planning and leading liturgical and sacramental celebrations, and facilitating educational and supportive activities that enhance spiritual well-being. The Chaplain ensures compassionate care while respecting the dignity of all individuals, upholding the mission and philosophy of Mercy Retirement and Care Center, Elder Care Alliance, and Transforming Age.
Our
Chaplains: Collaborate with colleagues in team planning, shared decision-making, and mutual support. Provide individualized spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial care through regular resident visits. Assist new residents with spiritual orientation and emotional adjustment to community life. Deliver spiritual care programming tailored to the Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing neighborhoods. Document all pastoral care interactions in accordance with Care Center and Assisted Living charting guidelines. Serve as a contributing member of interdisciplinary care teams by sharing relevant insights that promote holistic care. Provide educational opportunities on religion, spirituality, ethics, and related topics that enrich the lives of residents. Ensure the provision of inclusive, high-quality worship services and sacramental care for residents, families, and staff of diverse faith traditions. Coordinate funeral and memorial services as needed. Support program growth by helping recruit, train, and mentor pastoral volunteers and resident ministers in collaboration with the department director. Visit residents who are hospitalized or transferred to higher levels of care and provide family support when requested. Maintain confidentiality of all verbal and written resident information and communicate appropriately with the care team. Promote the mission of Mercy Retirement and Care Center within the broader church and community. Provide short-term spiritual and emotional support to staff, including active listening, grief and crisis care, mindfulness support, and referrals to HR or other resources as appropriate. Participate in the ongoing work of the Spiritual Care Services department. Promote the Mission, Vision and Values of Elder Care Alliance and Transforming Age in all areas of responsibility, and demonstrate commitment to Culture of Excellence and strategic goals
Other duties as assigned
What you need to succeed: Bachelor’s degree with advanced study in theology, spirituality, pastoral counseling, or a closely related field, Master’s degree preferred. Four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred. Minimum of two years of experience in chaplaincy or a related pastoral care profession. Training and experience in individual counseling and group facilitation. Certification or certification-eligible through NACC, ACPE, or another recognized professional pastoral care organization. Current First Aid certification in accordance with Title 22 regulations. Flexibility in schedule, occasionally. Familiarity with Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8 regulatory requirements related to residential care and skilled nursing. Strong understanding of theological and bioethical issues, including those relevant to aging, illness, and end-of-life care. Knowledge of gerontology, the aging process, and the specific needs of older adults, particularly those with cognitive challenges. Awareness and respect for interfaith religious beliefs and traditions, with the ability to provide inclusive, compassionate spiritual care across diverse populations. Ability to work respectfully within a predominantly Catholic faith community, while also supporting those of other or no faith backgrounds. Eligibility to serve as a Eucharistic Minister is required. Demonstrated compassion and empathy in providing spiritual and emotional support. Effective communication and counseling skills, especially related to grief, loss, and transitions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative work ethic are essential. Ability to interact professionally with residents, families, volunteers, and team members in a multi-cultural environment. Skilled in adaptability, decision-making under pressure, and managing multiple priorities with flexibility and a positive attitude. Deep passion for serving older adults, especially those with memory care or cognitive health needs. To ensure the health and safety of both our team members and residents, Elder Care Alliance may mandate that team members receive vaccinations, engage in daily screenings, undergo surveillance testing, and utilize face coverings along with other personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with regulatory guidelines to mitigate the transmission of infectious diseases. Transforming Age is a leading nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of older adults by integrating housing, community services, technology, philanthropy, and partnerships.
More openings at Transforming Age
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In California, part-time chaplain roles in senior care often draw candidates with clinical or parish experience, so competition can be strongest for applicants who can support residents, families, and interdisciplinary teams. This role is more competitive when you already meet certification-eligibility expectations, can serve as a Eucharistic Minister, and bring chaplaincy experience in a care setting. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to quickly compare fit against the original posting and focus your application on your theology background and resident-support experience.
