Behavioral Health Case Manager (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

Summary

Coordinates behavioral health services for individuals in ICE custody, including case management, high-risk monitoring, mental health reviews, service referrals, facility visits, continuity-of-care planning, and stakeholder reporting. Requires MSW, independent clinical social work license, and 2+ years post-licensure experience. This position is only open to current USPHS officers. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Incumbent coordinates behavioral health services within the assigned area of responsibility for individuals in ICE custody. Behavioral health services include and are not limited to the following: case coordination/management, monitoring high risk individuals, independent behavioral health reviews, behavioral health consultation services, and health record reviews. Incumbent utilizes federal regulations, agency policies, agency procedures, local accreditation standards, national accreditation standards, and evidence-based treatment standards. Program functions require incumbent to communicate with individuals within and outside the department and requires extensive and basic collaboration to meet program goals. The incumbent independently performs a variety of functions which include fact-finding, analyzing data, developing reports, and resolving complex problems. Incumbent may serve as the primary contact for leading services as assigned. Maintains awareness of program operational issues. Briefs and advises supervisory chain on program activities. Communicates program activities to agency leadership and stakeholders. Communication may require different formats (e.g., reports, oral reports, support materials),reoccurring frequency, and multiple communications based on stakeholder (e.g., custody and health staff). Work in conjunction with local ICE/Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) providing written evaluation reports on the mental health status of individuals placed on SMI (Serious Mental Illness List). Work with Managed Care Coordinators to absorb Accessibility to Healthcare Services component for serious mental illness (SMI) patients. Facilitate appropriate placement for patients who require a higher level of care and transfer to an IGSA or IHSC-staffed facility with increased BH resources Review and adjudicate requests for outside mental health services for detainees in ICE custody and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Conduct routine and ad hoc site visits to ICE designated facilities within the Field Office Director's Area of Responsibility (AOR). Provide orientation and guidance to the respective custody and medical staff members of facilities in which ICE detainees are held regarding IHSC policies and procedures. Collaborate with other BHCMs and the RBHC to provide coverage and support as needed (e.g., annual leave, TDY assignments, illness) Assist with the evaluation of compliance with the medical portion of the ICE NDS and PBNDS at local and county detention facilities within the incumbent's AOR and submits findings to RBHC for review and approval. Investigate complaints related to detainee behavioral health care and provides reports as assigned by IHSC Taskings or IHSC leadership. Ensure appropriate plan for continuity of care is established prior to release and removal of ICE detainees with complex health care needs to address urgent or emergent issues related todetainee health care, provide updates to the Field Office and IHSC Headquarters on detaineesin the hospital, and respond to other significant event notifications as needed. Travel required - 25%. TDY as needed to provide clinical care support at IHSC-staffeddetention facilities with critical staffing needs. Follows the supervisory chain of command. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned Utilization review/management for inpatient behavioral health hospitalization for IHSC.

Qualifications and evaluation

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be selected for an interview at the hiring authority's discretion. You will be notified of selection or non-selection.

Education

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Clinical Social Workers require successful completion of a master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a graduate program in social work accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Licensed Clinical Social Workers must hold a current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license to practice clinical social work independently offered by a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, Commonwealth, territory, or jurisdiction is required. The clinical social worker license must be maintained in a permanent, full, independent, and unrestricted status during the term of employment. The clinical social worker license must be the highest clinical license of clinical social work designated by the licensing board where it was received. This position requires clinical privileging by IHSC. -or- Clinical Psychologists require successful completion of a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology from an accredited graduate program. A graduate program in Clinical Psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association is preferred. Psychologists must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license by a State or Territory at the Doctoral level for psychologists. The Clinical Psychologist license must be maintained in a permanent, full, independent, and unrestricted status during the term of employment. This position requires clinical privileging by IHSC. Minimum of three years' experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist, at the independent level as recognized in the state licensed, whereby clinical supervision is not required. Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers® certification through the American Heart Association®. Knowledge of the case management process commensurate with training and education at the master's level. Knowledge of a diverse set of group and individual therapeutic modalities (examples include, but are not limited to art, music, drama, creative-writing, life skills, etc.). Ability to utilize telephonic interpreter/translation services to complete assigned duties if not fluent in a language the patient understands. Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records, web-based training and communications. Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient medical records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Strong knowledge and experience with differential diagnosis of common mental health and/or substance use disorders, screening and assessment, treatment planning for common mental health and/or substance use disorders, and suicide prevention and intervention strategies Ability to work with patients or their providers to coordinate care telephonically, via telepsych video conferencing, and/or in-person. Knowledge of evidence-based counseling techniques, psychosocial treatments and brief behavioral interventions for common mental health disorders, when appropriate (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, problem-solving treatment, behavioral activation, etc.). Knowledge of transgender population healthcare services Ability to plan and organize own workload and travel schedule utilizing the IHSC travel policies. Computer literate on Microsoft Office applications. Knowledge of ICE National Detention Standards (NDS), and Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) and Family Residential Standards (FRS) and maintain proficiency in detention healthcare standards. Must obtain National Association of Social Work (NASW) Board Certification in Case Management and/or Case Manager Certification (CCM) credential through the Commission for Case Manager Certification within 18 months of hire (Clinical Psychologist will need to earn the CCM only). Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting preferred. Verbal and written proficiency in English (required) and Spanish (preferred).

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below. The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/15/2026. 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. To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process. Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position. A complete application includes: U. S. Public Health Service Officers Cover Letter/Letter of Interest. Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED") Professional license. (If applicable) Additional professional certificates. (If applicable) Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information) Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "USPHS Promotion CV") You may provide a civilian resume in addition to the USPHS Promotion CV to capture all relevant work experience. A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF). *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal") For current IHSC PHS officers, IHSC Recruiting requires applicants to provide a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement. Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement. If you do not, please submit a memo attesting to no AP in the Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement section in the documents section of application.

Additional information

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Behavioral Health Case Manager works under the general supervision of the IHSC Regional Behavioral Health Clinical Consultant within their area of responsibility. The incumbent plans and organizes his/her own work, determines the sequence of assignments, selects and develops methods, and seeks assistance from experts only rarely. Assignments are usually long-term, recurring, or broadly defined. Work is reviewed for feasibility, compatibility with other work, and effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results. Incumbent reports to the Regional Behavioral Health Consultant. Assignments are usually of a long-term, recurring or broadly defined nature. Officer plans, and organizes own work, determines sequence of assignments, selects, and develops methods and seeks assistance from experts only rarely. Work is reviewed for attainment of objectives. Guidelines may be applicable to some but not all parts of assignment and may contain some inconsistencies and be partially unconfirmed. Selection and adaptation from available possibilities involving a moderate amount of modification and innovation is required. The officer uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as PHS policies, regulations, precedents, and work direction for application to specific cases. The officer analyzes results and recommends changes in guidelines and program policies. Innovations and modifications to accepted procedures must be approved and clearly documented. The officer keeps the supervisor informed of the status on projects and consults with him/her on any significant problems encountered.