kandidatu USA

Senior Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs

This job in plain English

This full-time Senior Social Worker job is at the Baton Rouge community clinic of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, part of the Veterans Health Administration. It is open only to current permanent employees of that health system, and the job may involve up to 50% travel. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, which can help repay student loans.

Telework eligible1 vacancy

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Federal employees (excepted service)Current federal employees in the excepted service; the announcement says which agencies count.
  • Agency employees onlyOnly current employees of the hiring agency.
  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
  • Federal employees (competitive service)Current or former federal employees with competitive status (career or career-conditional).

Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.

The announcement lists the public, but an agency clarification limits applicants to current permanent employees of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System facilities where this job is located. You must be a U.S. citizen.

What you would do

  • Screen Veterans referred to the program for eligibility and fit.
  • Complete psychosocial assessments, mental health screenings and risk assessments.
  • Diagnose and treat Veterans with severe mental illness.
  • Provide individual, family and group therapy and support.
  • Coordinate care with other treatment teams and community resources.
  • Complete clinical records, treatment plans and program evaluation forms.

Do you qualify for GS-12?

With experience: You need at least 2 years of experience after you became licensed at the advanced practice level, in a specialized area of social work. One of those years must be comparable to GS-11 level work (the federal pay level below GS-12).

With education: A master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A doctoral degree in social work cannot replace the master's. Schools still in candidacy status do not count until they are fully accredited.

Licenses and certifications you need:

  • State license to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
  • State license or certification at the advanced practice level, including an advanced clinical or generalist exam (unless grandfathered)

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Long-form resume or CV showing job title, duties, start and end dates (month/year), and average hours per week
  • License showing state practice authority at the advanced level
  • Transcript showing your social work degree
  • Professional certification, if you have one
  • SF-50 if you are a current or former federal employee
  • Cover letter, if you choose to include one

How you will be rated: You will be rated on how well you meet the qualifications, based on your application, resume and supporting documents, which will be verified. Missing or unclear information can lower your rating or make you ineligible.

Tips for this job:

  • Your resume must show job title, duties, start and end dates (month/year), and average hours per week, or it may hurt your rating.
  • Include your license and transcript, since both are listed as required documents.
  • If you want EDRP, submit the separate EDRP application within four months of starting; contact the EDRP Coordinator with questions.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, subject to change based on facility needs.

Incentives and relocation: Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): student loan repayment of up to $200,000 over one to five years, after separate review and approval. You must submit the EDRP application within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants are not eligible.

Conditions of employment:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Background and security investigation
  • Online onboarding with acceptable ID; state IDs must be REAL ID compliant
  • Pre-employment physical examination
  • Seasonal influenza vaccination or approved exemption required
  • 1 or 2-year trial period
  • Physical demands include standing, lifting, carrying and bending; annual TB screening
  • Must be able to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$93,514 – $121,571 per year
Pay scale and grade
GS-12 · General Schedule
Location
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Appointment
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Openings
1
Security clearance
Not Required
Travel
50% or less
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
Social Work (0185)
Announcement
CBST-13102952-27-CT

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