Caseworker (Full Time)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application. Be 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 of this part)

English Language Proficiency

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.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

Adoctoral 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 to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work

(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

At the time of appointment – the supervisor – chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with written requirements for licensure or certification – including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline

a) Ability to utilize a Veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans – their family members – caregivers – and survivors

• b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members – and to formulate and implement a treatment plan – identifying the Veteran's problems – strengths – weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
• d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients – staff – and representatives of community agencies
• e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses – disabilities – and treatment procedures

And medical terminology

Appointment to the GS‑11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work‑related settings – (VA or non‑VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level

In addition to meeting basic requirements – a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting

• a) Knowledge of community resources – how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services – and ability to coordinate services
• c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses – disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute – chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries – common medications and their effects/side effects – and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan
• d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals – families – and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric – medical – and social problems to achieve treatment goals
• e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers – social work graduate students – and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment

Experience with Veterans

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS‑9 to GS‑11

The first cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be 7/7/2026

Eligible applications received after 7/7/2026 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis

Provide a variety of direct psychological treatment services addressing the complex psychosocial issues faced by the Veteran patients served in an outpatient mental health setting

These direct services include – but are not limited to intake assessment – treatment plan development and implementation – treatment interventions (such as individual – family – couple – or small group therapy – trauma therapy – crisis intervention – case management – education – advocacy) – shared decision‑making and support group development and leadership

Provide a variety of assessment – psychotherapeutic – and training services within outpatient GMH

Assist Veterans in crisis – in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Team – Mental Health Clinic – other BHS programs – Emergency Department – and others

Maintain a caseload of patients and – as patients progress through episodes of care – engage in shared decision‑making to graduate the patient to more independent functioning

Serve as an active member of a BHIP treatment team that develops – implements – evaluates – and updates individualized treatment plans for identified Veterans seeking care through various BHS outpatient programs

Record clinical information in the patient's medical record according to prescribed standards

Participate on a variety of service and facility committees – task groups – or special projects groups as assigned by Supervisor or BHS Chief

May provide training opportunities and either direct or indirect supervision of graduate Social Work or Mental Health Counselor students or other related human services students as directed by the Supervisor or BHS Chief

Use word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files

Use Oracle Cerner Millennium Powerchart and Joint Longitudinal Viewer – the Electronic Medical Record – to access patient information – document clinical and administrative actions – and communicate with both Veterans and their healthcare team members

Maintain tracking system for special projects – and ongoing data requirements

Participation in an evidence‑based psychotherapy training sponsored by the VA will be expected – as will completion of the consultation requirements

Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 8 am – 4:30 pm, compressed/flexible – May be available

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized

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)

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 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Telework: Ad‑hoc only

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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