Social Services Assistant

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA • Fort Drum, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a developmental Social Services Assistant position at Fort Drum, New York, offered through a Direct Hire Solicitation. The role may be filled at GS-6, GS-7, or GS-8, with noncompetitive promotion opportunities to the next grade levels up to the GS-8 full-performance level, subject to time-in-grade requirements and demonstrated ability. If initially selected below the full-performance level, duties will be performed in a developmental capacity under close supervision. Salary negotiation is available for applicants new to Federal employment.

The Social Services Assistant supports behavioral health care for soldiers by working with multidisciplinary teams, maintaining communication with high-risk soldiers, facilitating groups, sharing referral and resource information, and tracking administrative mental health discharges. Applicants must meet the education and/or experience qualification requirements for the grade level sought. The position requires immunization screening, including seasonal influenza vaccination unless an approved medical or religious exemption is documented, and background investigations because the role involves recurring interaction with children and youth.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• For GS-08: One year of specialized experience evaluating behavioral health clients to determine required services, facilitating psycho-educational or support groups, assisting multidisciplinary teams to ensure appropriate patient care, and maintaining patient files; OR 1.5 years of directly related graduate-level education; OR a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-07: One year of specialized experience assisting with patient evaluations to determine required services, assisting with psycho-educational or support groups, reviewing patient files to assess needed resources, and maintaining patient files; OR one full year of directly related graduate-level education; OR a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-06: One year of specialized experience assisting with direct patient support, recommending resources based on patient needs, assisting with psycho-educational or support groups, or maintaining patient files; OR a half year (9 semester hours) of directly related graduate-level education; OR a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Directly related education may include Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or Child & Family Welfare. Transcripts must be submitted when qualifying based on education.
• Foreign education used to meet qualification requirements must be evaluated by a qualified private organization as equivalent to accredited U.S. education, or receive full credit at an accredited U.S. college or university.
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for positions with direct patient contact; other immunizations may also be required depending on the position.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination is required annually unless exempted for medical or religious reasons; documentation of an exemption must be provided upon hire.
• A background investigation and personnel security investigation are required, including initial and periodic suitability re-verification due to recurring interaction with children and youth under age 18.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship is required.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• A one-year trial or probationary period may be required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to ensure appropriate utilization of mental health care resources.
• Independently maintain open communication with soldiers identified as high risk by clinical mental health providers.
• Facilitate psycho-educational and/or support groups as needed.
• Provide clients with information on referrals and resources.
• Follow mental health administrative discharges through the process, maintaining communication with the soldier and entering progress in the database.

What This Job Offers

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