Senior Advisor

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of the Assistant Secretary (OAS), located in Rockville, Maryland.

Duties

The purpose of this position is for the incumbent to serve as a Senior Advisor on substance abuse with responsibility for providing authoritative advice and guidance on policy development for substance abuse and behavioral health issues as they impact HHS. As a Senior Advisor you will: Advise the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) Director and staff on policy and programming to support SAMHSA initiatives. Coordinate policy review processes and the quality improvement priority setting through consideration of leadership direction, input from internal and external partners, past precedent, early identification, and internal triaging of policy issues. Provide leadership, guidance, and training of constituents in addressing a broad range of critical policy and program issues working closely with the OCMO Director on the formulation of broad policies and programs related to substance abuse issues involving high priority matters affecting overall program goals. Draft and/or review documents on policy and program proposals on substance abuse treatment and behavioral health issues. Provide comments on proposed legislation and regulations on substance abuse and behavioral health and policy which have an impact on SAMHSA program functions. Serve as an expert in policy program/management issues with responsibility for developing, recommending, coordinating, and implementing program improvements and new procedures, which are designed to improve/enhance program performance. Research, review, analyze, and evaluate substance abuse issues and developments related to behavioral health and SAMHSA's mission and provide advice and guidance to OCMO Director on programming and resource allocation with respect to financing strategies for behavioral health care providers. Provide professional guidance to staff throughout SAMHSA in addressing a broad range of critical policy and program issues. Represent the OCMO at public and private meetings oriented to leverage community support with respect to substance abuse and behavioral recovery policy.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments. Resume Requirement Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Minimum Qualification Question As part of the application process, you must answer minimum qualification question(s) addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement. Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume. If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified. Assessment Process USA Hire Assessment: You are required to complete a USA Hire assessment for this position. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire HR Resume Review: Human Resource (HR) Specialists will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience. Applicants who successfully pass all of the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13076807

Education

This position does not have an education substitution or requirement.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/04/2026 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, click the Apply button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Required documents

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes: Your Resume supporting your responses to the assessment questionnaire. A complete Assessment Questionnaire (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13076807) SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) supporting eligibility. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable: RPL Documentation: Candidates must submit all documents required to demonstrate that they meet the qualifications of the position If separated due to Reduction in Force (RIF): Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level SF-50 showing Separation - RIF. If not available, submit official documentation of Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice Latest performance rating showing rating score If separated due to Compensable Injury: Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level SF-50, which shows separation, or SF-50 showing acceptance of position at a lower grade or pay level in lieu of separation Notification from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, that injury compensation benefits have ceased or will cease Latest performance rating and rating of record (if separate documents) showing rating score If you are a former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. If you previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent), you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan. Veterans' Preference: Discharged Veterans: If you are claiming 5-point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10-point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15), and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. Active-Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work), if claiming 5-point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package. CTAP/ICTAP A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. PHS Commissioned Corps (CC): PHS CC Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps may apply online to this announcement. Candidates will be referred as CC personnel and not as candidates for conversion to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment. You must provide a copy of your current personnel orders and/or other supporting documentation to be referred as CC. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/ Applicable documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment. Current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

Additional information

INCENTIVES Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion consideration, the veteran must be: 1) a preference eligible; or 2) a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4). Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans/veterans-preference/#content Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses and Family Members: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/spouses-of-active-duty-military-members/#content People With Disabilities (Schedule A): https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/ Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP):For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To receive selection priority for this position, individuals on the RPL must meet the qualification requirements, complete all required assessments, and be rated as qualified. RPL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures. Political Appointment: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/