Social Worker

Summary

A Social Worker assigned to the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) Centralized Screening Team (CST) at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) or within any VA Medical Facility within VISN 21. The Social Worker provides screening and consultative services to the Veteran population seeking residential care within VISN 21.

Duties

All US citizens may apply, but this is an in-person position at one of the VISN 21 facilities (e.g. Reno, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Fresno, Las Vegas, Sacramento-Northern California.) Assigned to provide complex and multiple services to individuals and families with a variety of social, emotional and health related problems. Works in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team in a fast-paced environment to assist with care coordination for residential services, conduct suicide prevention related screenings, and initiate or complete other related mental health screenings. Interacts routinely with active-duty service members, Veterans, family 2 members and significant others, and referral sources to ensure a timely and appropriate referral and notification process. Demonstrates an understanding of mental illness including but not limited to: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and frequently occurring co-morbid substance-related disorders. Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of Veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following: Conducts screenings for Veterans referred to VA MH RRTP services Coordinates referrals to appropriate services for Veterans seeking treatment. Completes suicide risk screenings and evaluations, as indicated. Engages in safety planning when warranted. Collaborates with VA MH RRTP programs to identify and schedule admission dates for Veteran entering care. Reviews residential care coordination across multiple VISN 21 sites of care, ensuring streamlined communications are effective to addressing Veteran's needs. Collaborates with Veterans Transportation Service to reduce barriers. Conducts evaluations and consultation of specific features of VISN Centralized Screening. Develops and maintains a collaborative relationship with mental health stakeholders (i.e. DoD, Community partners) to ensure timely admissions and efficient care coordination occurs. Utilizes local and national databases to track and complete electronic consults and manage admissions and program census. Applies mental health theories and techniques to the full range of patient populations. Participates in VISN-level performance improvement activities as it relates to the care for Veterans receiving Has comprehensive knowledge regarding MH RRTP services, with awareness of all prospective significant federal, state, and local initiatives that impact Veterans seeking MH RRTP care. Provides consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial and mental health needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday (Although assigned tour and hours may be subject to change based on the needs of the Centralized Screening Team.) Virtual: This is a virtual position if placed in a location outside of Reno, NV. Remote: This is Not a remote position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 dentification 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 08/26/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13037247. 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) Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.