Senior Social Worker -Suicide Prevention

Summary

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.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements:

  • Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
  • English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)

• 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

• 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
  • May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

• Senior Social Worker - GS-12:

  • Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which - one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
  • Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations
  • Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area - utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes
  • Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities

Physical Requirements

• The work is a mixture of in the office desk work and in the community social work
• The position will require a moderate level of keyboarding - standing (up to 2 hours) - walking (up to 2 hours) - bending - and moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - both legs required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13' to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - depth perception - hearing (aid permitted)

Work Environment

• The work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations
• The area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance)

Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive

Contact Information

Contact: April.Hightower1@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance

Pay

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Telework: Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #

00706F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not Authorized