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Chaplain

As a Chaplain of the Royal New Zealand Navy, you are appointed to provide ministry to Navy personnel (both military and civilian) and their families.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

• Specialisations

Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

• Entry type

Officer entry

• Under training

$81,184

• Location

Varied

As a Chaplain of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), you are appointed to provide ministry to Navy personnel (both military and civilian) and their families. You are expected to be a friend and advisor to all. It is a unique ministry which can take you to the four corners of the earth, on sea, or land deployments, wherever Navy personnel are required to serve. You are an integral part of the Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) team.

Navy Chaplains provide quality pastoral care and assistance to all sailors and their families. This will involve providing both responsive and preventative care and may include support through relationship conflict, family dynamics, grief and loss, stress, and spiritual/religious advice. Navy Chaplains are required to maintain a high level of confidentiality. They assist in times of crisis or emergency, both at the personal and organisational level.

Requirements

Basics

• Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
• Pass an Officer Selection Board.

Education

• Hold a tertiary theological or equivalent degree to NZQA level seven.
• Be ordained, commissioned or otherwise fully authorised to officiate on behalf of your sending religious or faith body.
• Have completed five years full-time ministry.
• Be in good standing, and have the support of your sending faith body.

Fitness & Medical

• You must be medically fit for service.
• You must meet the minimum entry fitness standards.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.

Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

There is no contractual obligation for you to stay in the NZDF for any length of time.

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 Base

As a Chaplain, you will be primarily concerned for the spiritual and pastoral care of the individual, and bring to the RNZN your particular skills, which will include:

• Pastoral care of sailors, civilians, and their families
• Life skills education
• Weddings and military funerals
• Spiritual support
• Chapel services
• Ceremonial services like ANZAC day commemorations
• Religious advice to command
• Advocacy

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• ### Job on Deployment

Chaplains on deployment fulfil many of the same duties as they do in their base. Additional roles may include:

• Providing advice to command on local religious dynamics
• Increasing relationships with host communities via religious connections
• Boosting morale and being a non-anxious presence
• Assisting with critical incident management

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Career progression and training

01Basic training
Basic training

Junior Officer Common Training (JOCT)

(21 weeks) Location: Devonport Naval Base

The objective of JOCT is to provide you with the core skills of military, mariner, and leadership to be an effective Officer in the Navy. The course is completed in two phases of training that train key areas of development.

Phase 1 – Introduction

This phase focuses on ‘followership’ and teamwork. Trainees are instructed in basic service knowledge, discipline, parade, and kit preparation. Physical Training will be conducted at all times throughout training to develop a high level of physical and mental fitness that promotes morale, good health, and good habits. This phase will cover various topics including:

• Physical Fitness
• Service Knowledge
• Service Discipline
• Introduction to the Leadership Development Framework
• Damage Control Training
• Weapons Training
• First Aid
• Basic seamanship training
• Moving to advanced application

Phase 2 – Fit for Sea

The second phase of training will focus on attributes of being in the Navy in preparation for operational service at sea. Trainees will be taught about the roles and responsibilities on board an RNZN ship. Trainees will also spend time ashore conducting academic and leadership training to further develop as a Naval Officer. This phase will cover various topics including:

Sea survival

Ship familiarisation

Leadership training

Communications skills

Defence and Strategic Studies

Job training

NZDF Chaplains are required to be qualified in theological, military and chaplain specialist matters. To ensure you are qualified to appropriate levels, in-house chaplaincy induction training will be conducted in the initial stages of your career with the RNZN.

Ongoing training

Opportunities for ongoing professional development include:

• Suicide prevention
• Micro counselling skills
• Prepare / enrich
• Bi-cultural competence

You will also be required to maintain links with your own denomination, attending training events, retreats, and annual conferences as appropriate. Chaplains may also be required to attend suitable military administration and staff courses during their career.