Social Worker- Readjustment Counselor

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts (up to $200,000) and eligibility periods (one to five years) are determined after a complete review by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office.

Basic Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, in accordance with VA policy).
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
• Master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)‑accredited school. Schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement. A doctoral degree in social work cannot substitute for the master’s degree.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level for GS‑185 series positions. For the GS‑11 grade level, the candidate must be licensed or certified, or may qualify under the Grandfathering Provision if currently employed by VHA in this occupation.

Grade Determinations (GS‑11)

• One year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 level in health‑care or related social‑work settings, plus state licensure/certification at the independent practice level; or
• A doctoral degree in social work that substitutes for the required one year of professional experience, combined with state licensure/certification at the independent practice level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals to governmental and community agencies.
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for diverse individuals and families.
• Understanding of medical and mental‑health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects, and medical terminology to formulate treatment plans.
• Ability to implement various treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Capability to provide consultation to new social workers, graduate students, and other staff regarding patients’ psychosocial needs and their impact on health‑care compliance.

Preferred Experience

Experience at the independent practice level (GS‑11) assessing psychosocial functioning and needs of individuals and families, and providing counseling using family systems theory/therapy interventions.

Responsibilities

• Intake screening and assessment, including risk for self‑harm, military history, psychosocial stressors, and family readjustment stressors.
• Develop and periodically update individualized readjustment counseling service plans with measurable goals and outcomes.
• Provide direct readjustment counseling, incorporating complex causation and making psychosocial/psychiatric diagnostic inferences within clinical scope.
• Conduct risk assessment and crisis intervention, including safety planning as appropriate.
• Coordinate care by linking veterans with community services, resources, and opportunities to maximize independence and well‑being.
• Maintain active coordination with Vet Center outreach workers to ensure seamless referrals and follow‑up counseling.
• Participate in staff meetings to promote team building and staff development.
• Document all clinical interactions, care coordination activities, and provide consultation as required by policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

The work does not inherently include physical requirements that cannot be accommodated with workplace adjustments.

Pay

Competitive salary with regular step increases; higher step rates may be awarded based on unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (above the minimum rate of the grade).

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Benefits

• Paid time off: 37–50 days annually (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays). Credit toward annual leave may be granted based on prior work or military service.
• Parental leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child‑care subsidy: After 60 days, eligible full‑time employees with family income below $144,000 may receive up to 25 % of eligible child‑care costs, capped at $416.66 per month.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contributions.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care coverage; many plans are portable into retirement.
• Telework: Available on an ad‑hoc basis.