Senior Social Worker

Summary Position eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval—including award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years)—is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after a complete review of the EDRP application. 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 United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy 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 in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until full accreditation; a doctoral degree in social work may not substitute the master’s degree; verify the degree at Licensure – persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑0185 series must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level; may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who meet the criteria) Grade Determinations – in addition to basic requirements, the following criteria must be met: Senior Social Worker – GS‑12: experience requirements, licensure/certification, and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in the qualification standard Preferred Experience – experience with the Mental Health field, expertise in providing mental health care through Telehealth modalities, participation as a member of a multi‑disciplinary treatment team providing PTSD treatment to patients, training in evidence‑based therapies specifically for PTSD, multi‑tasking under pressure, excellent customer service skills (internal and external customers) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑12 Physical Requirements – typical for the occupation; may require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, pushing; may require personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment Work Environment – office/clinic setting with minimal risks; requires normal safety precautions; adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated; requires ability to handle multiple tasks and stressful situations Duties Total Rewards: The Senior Social Worker for the Trauma Recovery Program (TRP) will provide specialty mental‑health treatment for Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder to veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. Provide specialized evidence‑based treatment to veterans enrolled in the TRP program. Serve as a licensed independent provider of mental‑health services. Conduct full psychosocial diagnostic evaluations using the DSM‑V. Screen, assess, plan, provide clinical care, and discharge at an advanced practice level. Maintain expertise regarding VA and community psychosocial resources. Participate in program development within the assigned program, including community outreach. Track the care of veterans as they move through the treatment process and measure treatment outcomes using NEPEC and other measures. Participate in clinical program development, be accountable for program effectiveness, and modify service patterns; partner with local universities, community colleges, and other agencies to improve delivery of mental‑health services and increase utilization. Teach and mentor staff and students in the specialty area and provide supervision for licensure or specialty certifications. Plan and provide treatment services independently for veterans assigned to case‑management. Identify high‑risk patients, provide safety planning and crisis intervention, and coordinate staff and family conferences when clinically indicated. Serve as a resource and point of contact throughout the facility for the mental‑health needs of veterans. Arrange referrals for the veteran to adjunctive diagnostic treatment and ancillary services within the VHSO, VHA, and community‑based agencies and organizations as required. Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (subject to change based on the needs of the service). Benefits Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs. 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). 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 birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment – full‑time employees with total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25 % of total eligible childcare costs, with a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % contributions by VA. Federal insurance: 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 #: 564‑01565‑F. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs