Executive Director Suicide Prevention

Summary

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the United States' largest integrated health care system and is positioned to anticipate and lead emerging health care trends.

Duties

THIS IS A POSITION TO BE FILLED WITH THE FOLLOWING OCCUPATION SERIES: PSYCHOLOGIST: SR-180 PAY BAND 2 $151,661 - $220,200 PHYSICIAN: SR-0602 PAY TABLE 4, TIER 2: $145,000 - $295,000 Physician - Education and length of practice (experience) will be considered by a Market Pay Review process in determining the salary of the applicant selected. Exceptions to the salary cap must be approved. This is a term appointment not-to-exceed 4-Years and may be renewed by the Under Secretary for Health. Work schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized The Executive Director for Suicide Prevention (EDSP) within the Office of Clinical Services is the functional authority for the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Health, and Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services on all matters and issues related to suicide prevention strategy, policy, and programs. The EDSP reports to the Executive Director of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. The Office's mission is VA's highest clinical priority and is accountable for preventing Veteran suicide and ensuring access to mental health care for Veterans. The EDSP leads collaborative efforts across VHA and VA program offices at Central Office and in the field, Presidential Executive Orders. The EDSP represents VA on suicide prevention related matters to external stakeholders and the media to include task forces and committees. The EDSP develops and supports partnerships and joint efforts with other government agencies and private organizations to address suicide prevention. The EDSP is the liaison for joint work done with the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and other Federal partners. The EDSP is also the liaison with VA's major national suicide prevention partners including the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, American prevention team, for working with leadership and providers across VA, and for developing effective partnerships with community partners across the country in the implementation of a broad public health approach to suicide prevention.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/31/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13025122. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or Senior Executive employment Federal agency employees.

Additional information

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans' Preference does not apply to Senior Executive Equivalent positions. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.