Social Worker (Program Manager) - Mental Health & Behavioral Science Service Line Manager

Summary This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 18 - 2026 or until the position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 23 - 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals until the position is filled. This is a multidisciplinary announcement. If you are a Physician (Psychiatrist) - apply at CBSX-13068536-26-EY. If you are a Psychologist - apply at CBSX-13068538-26-JS. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C.7402(b)(9) - as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 - enacted November 1 - 2000To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA - all applicants must meet the following: CitizenshipBe a citizen of the United States(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part).EducationHave 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 accreditedA doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social workVerification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the 4 accreditation standards for a masters of social workLicensurePersons 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 levelCurrent state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/Loss of Licensure or CertificationOnce licensed or certified - social workers must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employmentLoss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employmentEnglish Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesSocial Worker (Program Manager) GS-14 Experience and EducationOne year of experience equivalent to the GS- 13 grade levelExperience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment - demonstrating progressively more professional competencyIndividual may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship - or equivalent supervised professional experience Licensure/CertificationIndividuals assigned as social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level - and must be able to provide supervision for licensureDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites - which includes consultation - negotiation - and monitoringAbility to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operationsAbility to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the programAbility to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered careAbility to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performedperformance evaluationsselection of staff - training - and recommendation of awards - advancements - and when appropriate - disciplinary actionAbility to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls - contracts - and equipment expenditures) - forecast resource and equipment needs - and administer the allocated budgetSkill in developing policies - procedures - and/or practice guidelines for the program and in participating in national program developmentAbility to collaborate with internal VHA partners - locally and on a national level - as well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered careAssignmentFor all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the timeAt the GS-14 grade level - social worker program managers are assigned to manage - direct - and oversee a major specialty program(s) at the facility - VISN or VA Central Office levelAs the facility level program manager - typical assignments include serving as a care/product line managerProgram managers may have responsibility for staffing - work assignments - budget - services provided - program criteria - day-to-day program operations - and all reporting requirementsAdditionally - program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments - determined by the needs of the local facilityThe program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of serviceThey develop and monitor staff compliance with practice - standards and guidelinesAs the VISN level program manager - typical assignments include overseeing a VISN level programThe program manager serves as consultant to facilities in matters of program operationsThey develop and monitor facility compliance with practice - standards - and guidelines across the VISNThe program manager reviews program status with facility leadershipAdditionally - program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments - determined by the needs of the VISNThe VISN program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of serviceAs the national level program manager - typical assignments include supporting implementation of a national programThe national program manager reports to senior executive service equivalent or GS-15 grade level national program directorThey may have responsibility for staffing - work assignments - budget - services provided - day-to-day program operations - and all reporting requirementsProgram manager responsibilities also include developing and serving as a subject matter expert for program specific policy and regulations and interface with congressional representativesProgram managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments determined by the needs of VHA Central OfficeThe national program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of serviceThey develop and monitor staff compliance with program standards - guidelines - and service deliveryThey develop and implement national training programs for internal and external partnersProgram managers are responsible for ensuring program development - management - and evaluation that includes assessing the mission - goals - and programs of the organization in terms of psychosocial needs of Veterans - their families - and caregivers and establishing objectives consistent with organizational goalsPreferred Experience: Experience providing leadership and oversight for all professional and administrative operations within a Mental Health or Behavioral Health service line - including supervision of multidisciplinary clinical and administrative staffDemonstrated success in managing human and material resources across a complex mental health continuum - including outpatient - specialty - and integrated care programs. Duties 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selectionThis improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination - faster assessments - and efficient pre-employment actionsApplicants can expect a more transparent - predictable - and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on dutyWhat Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes - Human Resources will quickly review applications - issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager considerationQuick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring managerStreamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer - applicants should be prepared to complete required steps - such as fingerprinting and background check - credentialing - and medical examination within 3 days of the offerClear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones - including referral - tentative offer - and onboarding instructionsAfter meeting pre-employment requirements - candidates will receive a final job offer and start dateOnboarding tasks may continue after starting - with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA serviceIf selected - applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing Duties include but are not limited to: Manages all professional and administrative activities within MH&BS including selection - orientation - and continuing education of staffDevelops - implements - and evaluates policies - procedures - and clinical care standards to ensure high-quality - safe - and efficient care deliveryConducts ongoing surveillance and evaluation of clinical performance - including quality of care - appropriateness of treatment - adherence to standards - and performance improvement activitiesLeads quality control programs - risk management activities - infection control oversight - and compliance with facility-wide performance measuresImproves patient access - flow - timeliness - and satisfaction through data-driven process improvementOversees professional performance reviews - including FPPE/OPPE - peer review - and performance improvement data integrationCoordinates interdepartmental and intradepartmental services to ensure integrated - Veteran-centered mental health care delivery across settings (e.g. - PC - ED - acute care - community care)Plans - develops - and leads new or expanded clinical programs - including Telehealth - evidence-based practice implementation - and enhancement of specialty/complexity of care offeringsAnalyzes financial - workflow - and operational impacts of proposed policies or initiatives and provide data-supported recommendationsSupervises interdisciplinary staff - resolving personnel issues - conducting evaluations - managing performance - and overseeing continuing educationWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidatesPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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)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) 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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: May be availableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000