Senior Social Worker

About the role

Senior Social Workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work at an advanced level. They typically practice in a major specialty treatment program area or program areas of equivalent scope and complexity. The Senior Social Worker is assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen (non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy).
• English proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education: Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE‑accredited school (candidacy status does not meet this requirement; a doctoral degree may not substitute).
• Licensure: Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's level. Grandfathering provisions may apply to current VHA employees.
• Grade determinations (GS‑12): At least two years of post‑advanced‑practice clinical licensure experience, with one year equivalent to GS‑11. Must demonstrate advanced practice skills and expertise in a specialized area; certification or post‑master's training from a nationally recognized organization is a plus.
• Required KSAs:
  • Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities (individual, group, family counseling/psychotherapy; advanced psychosocial/case management).
  • Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges.
  • Knowledge of methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice, using outcome evaluations to improve services and design system changes.
  • Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students, and role‑model effective practice skills.
  • Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service area.
• Advanced licensure: Must hold a state license/certification at the advanced practice level (including advanced generalist or clinical examination), unless grandfathered (California licenses excepted). Must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
• Preferred experience: Fully licensed with five years of mental health experience.

Duties

• Independently perform case finding, outreach, and screening for psychosocial needs.
• Independently implement treatment modalities and provide counseling/psychotherapy for individuals, families, and groups.
• Independently conduct psychosocial assessments.
• Identify high‑risk patients and provide appropriate intervention and case management services.
• Independently diagnose Veterans using the current DSM or other recognized diagnostic manuals.
• Develop treatment plans collaboratively with the Veteran/family and interdisciplinary team.
• Apply professional judgment to select psychosocial intervention methods and techniques.
• Act as subject‑matter expert and liaison with community agencies.
• Coordinate community‑based services, including information and referral to/from VA programs, government programs, and community agencies.
• Apply knowledge of medical/mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.

Work Schedule

8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday (subject to change based on facility needs). This is not a virtual position.

Telework

Telework is available as determined by agency policy.

Physical Requirements

The position involves screening, assessment, treatment planning, case management, and aftercare follow‑up for Veterans and their families, requiring skill in crisis intervention and exposure to potentially dangerous situations. Duties are a mix of office desk work and community‑based social work. Requires moderate keyboarding, standing (up to 2 hours), walking (up to 2 hours), bending, moderate lifting (15–44 lbs), reaching above shoulder, use of both hands and legs, rapid mental/muscular coordination, near vision correctable to Jaeger 1–4 at 13–16 inches, far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, depth perception, and hearing (aid permitted).

Work Environment

Everyday risks with normal safety precautions typical of offices, meeting/training rooms, hospitals, or clinics. Work areas are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Community locations vary by Veteran residence or service site. Veterans may be transported via government vehicle. Occasional air and car travel may involve uncontrolled environments. A current, unrestricted driver's license and driving ability are required.

Pay

Competitive salary with regular salary increases.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days annually (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Prior work or military service may count toward annual leave accrual.
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days, full‑time employees with family income below $144,000 may receive up to 25% of eligible childcare costs