Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Chillicothe, OH

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Social Worker provides case management and evidence-based psychotherapy to Veterans participating in residential programming or outpatient follow-up. The position serves as a contributing member of an interdisciplinary treatment team and assesses each Veteran’s needs, including family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems. The Social Worker collaborates with other service providers to reassess needs for outpatient or residential care and other programs, services, and entitlements; explains available services and assists Veterans or caregivers with appropriate referrals based on the Veteran’s preference or the established surrogate decision-maker’s preference; discusses discharge options with Veterans and their families; and provides supportive counseling.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval. Applications must be submitted within four months of appointment. The program office determines approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years). Former EDRP participants are ineligible. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is available on an ad-hoc basis as determined by agency policy; this is not a virtual position. The work is primarily sedentary, though it includes regular standing and walking, occasional lifting of office supplies up to approximately 10 pounds, and possible physical restraint of clients who pose a danger to themselves or others. A valid state-issued driver’s license is required for facility driving privileges.

The full performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11. Applicants must meet the education, licensure or certification, and grade-specific qualification requirements. The position requires a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification for independent practice at the master’s level, subject to the stated GS-9 exception. GS-11 applicants must meet the independent-practice credential requirement and have one year of qualifying post-MSW experience at the GS-9 level or qualifying doctoral education in lieu of that experience.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Master’s degree in Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree does not substitute for this basic requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. For GS-9, this requirement may be waived pending completion of state prerequisites; employees appointed without the credential must obtain it within three years.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, plus independent-practice state licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the experience requirement.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities applicable to the grade sought, including Veteran-centered interventions; psychosocial assessment and treatment planning; treatment modalities; effective working relationships and communication; relevant medical and mental-health knowledge; community resources and referrals; and consultation skills as applicable to GS-11.
• Current, valid state-issued driver’s license.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and complete background/security and onboarding requirements.
• Meet applicable federal employment conditions, including Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical experience working with populations served for substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and trauma.
• Clinical experience navigating difficult conversations and following codes of ethics, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and evidence-based psychotherapy.
• Contribute to an interdisciplinary treatment team serving Veterans in residential programming or outpatient follow-up.
• Assess Veterans and their family, economic, community, and psychosocial support systems.
• Collaborate with service providers to reassess needs for outpatient care, residential care, programs, services, and entitlements.
• Educate Veterans and/or caregivers about available services and assist with referrals according to the Veteran’s or established surrogate decision-maker’s preferences.
• Explain discharge options to Veterans and their families and collaborate with them on preferred options.
• Provide supportive counseling to Veterans and their families.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement, with an award of up to $200,000 subject to eligibility and approval.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other 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; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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