Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - DOD-Lemoore NAS Liaison, Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC)

Veterans Health Administration • Fresno, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the VA Central California Health Care System Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Department of Defense Lemoore Naval Air Station Liaison. The Suicide Prevention program implements suicide prevention strategies, supports identification of Veterans at high risk for suicide, coordinates enhanced care when indicated, and educates providers, Veterans, families, and community organizations and individuals about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and treatment options. Its central service is suicide prevention coordination and case management intended to improve or maintain Veterans’ health and mental health and support stability, housing, and community integration.

The position is a GS-12 role requiring advanced-practice state licensure or certification and the ability to provide licensure supervision. The employee must have a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school and one year of experience equivalent to GS-11. The role is based in the VA Central California Health Care System, is not virtual, and may allow limited ad hoc telework. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and approval. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to a highly qualified applicant. The position is permanent; permanent change of station is not authorized.

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 at the advanced practice level, with the ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, demonstrating advanced practice skills, judgment, and progressively greater professional competency.
• Knowledge of program coordination and administration, including consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
• Knowledge and ability to write program policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines.
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating program areas.
• Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Current state driver's license.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and meet applicable background and security requirements.
• Must participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with trauma-informed care.
• Experience with patients at higher risk for suicide.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate implementation of suicide prevention strategies for the VA Central California Health Care System.
• Support identification of Veterans at high risk for suicide.
• Coordinate enhanced care when indicated.
• Educate providers, Veterans, families, and community agencies and individuals about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and treatment options.
• Provide suicide prevention coordination and case management to help improve or maintain Veterans’ health and mental health and support stability, housing, and community integration.
• Coordinate and administer the program, including consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
• Write policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for the program.
• Supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet multiple deadlines, and evaluate assigned program areas.
• Provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an award of up to $200,000 subject to program approval and eligibility.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to a highly qualified applicant.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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