Senior Social Worker - Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator

Veterans Health Administration • Houston, TX

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Social Worker serves as the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator, developing and implementing the program for the assigned area and ensuring compliance and collaboration with local facility and VA Central Office initiatives. The role administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and improve services for Veterans, families, caregivers, and VA employees affected by intimate partner violence (IPV). It also develops systems to track service activities and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to support appropriate service utilization.

The coordinator provides direct assessment and clinical interventions, consults with interdisciplinary teams and colleagues, and develops education, training, support groups, and other programs addressing IPV. The position is based in an office/clinic setting and requires managing multiple tasks, sometimes in stressful situations. The position is not virtual, and telework is not available. The listed schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to facility needs.

The role requires a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification to practice independently at the master's level. Senior-level requirements include advanced-practice licensure or certification, supervision capability, and specified clinical experience and competencies. The position is at the GS-12 full-performance level. An Education Debt Reduction Program may be available to eligible applicants, with an award of up to $200,000 subject to program approval and eligibility rules.

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level, unless qualifying under the specified grandfathering provision.
• At least two years of experience after advanced-practice clinical licensure; one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 level.
• Advanced-practice state licensure or certification, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, subject to the stated grandfathering exception.
• Ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of methods to measure the effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, use outcome evaluations to improve treatment, and design system changes.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment and to model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service area.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizen appointment is permitted under VA policy.
• Compliance with applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Willingness to serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of progressive clinical experience in intimate partner violence or domestic violence interventions.
• Experience leading or coordinating IPV programs and providing trauma-informed care for at-risk populations.
• Prior VA or Veteran-specific experience and demonstrated ability to work within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program for the assigned area, ensuring compliance and collaboration with local facility and VA Central Office initiatives.
• Administer information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of services for Veterans, families, caregivers, and VA employees affected by IPV.
• Develop and implement systems to track service activities, including visits, referrals, demographics, equipment utilization, and Veteran satisfaction.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate service utilization.
• Conduct direct contacts with Veterans, families, caregivers, and VA employees to identify and assess risk, safety, and supports, and to develop and apply clinical treatment interventions.
• Advise and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on IPV issues.
• Create educational tools, develop programs, and implement training addressing specific IPV needs and issues.
• Provide education and in-service training to VAMC employees, Veterans, families, and caregivers.
• Provide ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding IPV assistance.
• Develop and facilitate face-to-face or VANTS telephone support groups and educational programs.
• Distribute educational materials from VA and local, state, and national IPV organizations.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program reimbursement may be available to eligible applicants, up to $200,000, subject to approval and program terms.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for qualifying birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior