Senior Social Worker (VJO)

Summary

The clinical social work responsibilities for this position are conducted primarily in community settings in conjunction with police encounters, correctional facilities, including county jails, work release centers, and local criminal justice courts. The program coordination responsibilities for this position are conducted at the local and VISN level. This position requires an advanced level of practice and the ability to work independently.

Duties

The clinical social worker assigned to this position will provide outreach and treatment services to a highly complex and high risk population in contact with the justice system, including those in contact with local police, those served by the courts, and those detained in secured, city or county jail facilities. Duties include but are not limited to: - Collaborating with justice system including police officers, sheriff's deputies, court judges, classification officers, probation officers, reentry staff, public defenders and private attorneys. - Interacting with both Veterans and the attorneys representing Veterans to determine if VA intervention and treatment is viable and appropriate. - Participating as an active member of a court team. - Coordinating outreach services with city and county jail facilities. - Conducting community outreach. - Administering psychosocial and other clinical assessments. - Providing case management, including direct referrals to VA programs and non-VA programs. - Providing clinical treatment using evidence-based models such as: Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Seeking Safety, and Motivational Interviewing. - Maintaining patient database and program statistics. - Tracking population trends and program performance measures. - Conducting expert consults with facility staff. - Coordinating care with VA and community providers. The justice-involved population presents with health care and psychosocial problems that are complex and require a high degree of clinical oversight and creative problem-solving. Professional services include evaluation and assessment, crisis counseling, treatment planning, patient and family education, case management/care coordination involving VA and non-VA community resources, clinical treatment using evidence based practices specific to a justice population, public relations, community education, and documentation of clinical data in Veterans' medical records. Written reports and policies are also included in the duties. Program Coordination Responsibilities: - Provides training to law enforcement personnel regarding identifying Veterans, eligibility for VHA and VBA benefits, as well as issues regarding TBI, PTSD and other mental health diagnoses. - Establishes formal agreements and partnerships with courts regarding identification of and access to Veterans, and access to use of appropriate assessment information for treatment planning. - Develops Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) when appropriate. - Meets with court administrators and staff on a regular basis to develop and maintain appropriate policies and procedures required to co-managing Veterans' care. - Collaborates with county probation officers, state attorney's office public defenders, hired attorneys, judges and community health and mental health agency staff to develop a treatment plan that offers alternatives to incarceration. Clinical Service Responsibilities: - Establishes respectful, effective relationships with Veterans, and with the clinical, custodial, and administrative staff from a range of institutions and agencies involved in Veterans' treatment. - As appropriate completes release of information, and assists with completion, submission and follow-up regarding VA eligibility (DD214) and enrollment (10- 10EZ) and other VA Forms or application for benefits through VBA. - Identifies and interviews Veterans involved in the justice system to conduct a clinical assessment and determine appropriate referrals, linkage and coordination for VA and non-VA services to enhance the success in the community. - Provides Veterans information on VA services and community resources. Coordinates Veteran care with all VA programs as well as non-VA community programs and resources. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs Telework: Not Available Travel: Up to 50% may be required. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination and maintain CDT physical readiness. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. 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-year 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

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other 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.

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 10/28/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13098068. 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 submit a C.V. and/or resume. Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed. Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.