Senior Social Worker (MHTC) - EDRP, Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Responsibilities

The senior social worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. Assignments include clinical settings where they have limited access to BHIP social work services. The senior social worker collaborates with the other members of the treatment team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensures equity of access, service, and resources to this population, ensures the care provided is of the highest quality. The Senior Social Worker as BHIP Mental Health Treatment Coordinator (MHTC) is responsible for various aspects of assessing, diagnosis, treating, and coordinating the treatment of Veterans within BHIP and the Mental Health Service Line. This includes, but is not limited to, providing services through the telehealth modality across several sites of care with the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS).

Requirements

Duties are continued in the Education section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
• Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.

Preferred Experience:

• VA or DOD experience.
• Work experience in community settings.
• Experience incorporating outcome measures into treatment.
• Experience with evidence-based psychotherapies for individuals, groups, couples, and families.
• Experience in case management in complex settings.
• Experience in outpatient general mental health clinics.

Skills

May meet this requirement through the Grandfathering Provision

Benefits

Salary: $94,019 - $122,227 per year
This salary range represents the Corpus Christi catchment area. For Harlingen/McAllen: $93,537 - $121,601, Laredo: $93,797 - $121,939

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Schedule

Work Schedule: M-F, 0800 - 1630

Benefits

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Additional Information

Recruitment Incentives. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time[,] or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service
Relocation Incentives. Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksite[s] and physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator at VISN17EDRP2@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more

Application Instructions

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Background Security Clearance

Security clearance is required at a level that allows for continued access to protected health information. Please see https://www.va.gov/jobs/apply/background-clearance.asp for further information.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.