Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Pensacola, FL

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Social Worker will work in Pensacola, Florida, within the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program. The position provides social work services to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors, and requires independent social work practice at the master’s degree level, subject to the applicable grade-level licensure requirements.

Clinical work includes identifying Veterans with psychosocial needs; providing assessments, counseling, psychotherapy, and treatment for mental health and substance use disorders; and developing collaborative treatment plans. The Social Worker coordinates referrals and community-based services, maintains therapeutic relationships, consults with staff, evaluates practice through peer review and other organizational processes, and conducts suicide risk assessments with related safety planning.

The role also supports Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Health Administration policies and mission, participates in committees and work groups, keeps supervisors informed about problems and solutions, maintains professional development and required training, and completes clinical documentation and work to applicable productivity and quality standards. The position is not virtual. Telework is available. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on agency needs. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11.

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 this master’s degree requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level, except that a GS-9 appointment may qualify for the stated licensure/certification exception while completing state prerequisites.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• For GS-9: meet the basic education and licensure requirements and demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in Veteran-centered practice; psychosocial assessment and treatment planning; treatment modalities; professional and community-agency relationships; and medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in healthcare or another social-work-related setting, plus state licensure or certification for independent practice; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the one year of professional clinical social work experience.
• For GS-11: demonstrate knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; independent psychosocial assessment and intervention skills; knowledge of diagnoses and treatment procedures; ability to independently implement treatment modalities; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation, complete onboarding and application requirements, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Independently operate a government vehicle and provide a clean driving record report during the pre-employment process.
• Only education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Community-based work experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify and screen patients for psychosocial needs.
• Provide diagnostic, assessment, and treatment services for mental health and substance use disorders.
• Provide counseling and psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups using evidence-based approaches and appropriate psychosocial interventions.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and use measurement-based care practices aligned with program objectives and Veterans’ treatment goals.
• Develop treatment plans collaboratively with Veterans, families, and the BHIP team.
• Coordinate community-based services and provide information and referrals to VA programs, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with Veterans and their families.
• Consult with staff about Veterans’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on healthcare and treatment-plan adherence.
• Evaluate practice through professional peer review, case conferences, and other organizational processes.
• Conduct comprehensive suicide risk assessments and incorporate safety planning and goals into individualized treatment plans.
• Support the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VHA, VISN, and facility.
• Participate in facility committees, work groups, and task forces as appropriate.
• Keep the supervisor informed of problems and seek input on solutions within the area of responsibility.
• Maintain professional growth and comply with continuing education and licensure requirements.
• Complete required TMS and Basic Life Support training within required timeframes.
• Complete clinical documentation and maintain productivity and quality consistent with assignment complexity and applicable standards.
• Independently operate a government vehicle and provide a clean driving record report during pre-employment.

Benefits

• 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 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with 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 program limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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