Social Worker (Program Manager)

Summary

This Social Worker (Program Manager) position serves The Mental Health Service (MHS) Deputy Associate Chief of Staff (DACOS) Social Work Discipline Lead at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) and functions as an advisor to the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services (ACOS) and works collaboratively with the Social Work & Care Transitions Service to ensure the provision of high-quality social work services.

Duties

Duties of the Social Worker (Program Manager) include, but are not limited to: Serves as a member of the MHS Executive Team collaboratively working with the MHS ACOS and other MHS DACOS Discipline Leads to make informed, service-level decisions compliant with national, VISN and local facility directives, handbooks, policies, and procedures. Serves as a champion for all National Directives related to patient care ensuring on-going service-level compliance to National Directives (i.e., same-day access to care, suicide prevention, etc.) Provides oversight/technical assistance to Mental Health Program Leaders on performance measures across MHS (i.e., SAIL, ORYX, HEDIS, etc.) Provides administrative oversight to assigned programs within MHS including a large Domiciliary, CAVHS' Comprehensive Homeless Center and Day Treatment Center, PRRC, Recreational Therapy Services and Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Services. This includes advising, developing, educating, monitoring, and working collaboratively with Program Leaders to develop action plans, program criteria, evaluate programs, improve processes, and negotiate with other internal/external departments and partners. Conducts regular briefings with assigned MHS Program Leaders to stay current on the status of assigned program and provide updates to MHS Executive Team and leadership Serves as a second-, third- and fourth-line supervisor to staff in assigned programs Advises service-level and executive management on clinical or administrative issues within the assigned MHS programs and serves as a mentor to subordinates and peers and as a consultant to Mental Health and CAVHS Management Serves as an ambassador for MHS frequently representing MHS Leadership in facility meetings, functions, and committees. Working with internal/external stakeholders to gain feedback, problem solve processes and improve services. Disseminates information in a timely, efficient manner Frequently organizes congressional and White House responses and assists program leaders with complaint resolution Monitors the Patient Advocate Tracking System (PATS) daily; facilitating resolution of patient concerns, suggestions, and complaints Serves as the fiscal backup for the MHS Business Manager as an alternate Approving Official for purchase card holders, IPPS payment system for contracts and approving official for contracting services Demonstrates high-level administrative skill in the provision of Social Work services and frequently collaborates with Social Work Services & Care Transitions (SWS&CT)Chief, facility, VISN and National Program Leaders to coordinate service provision by MHS Social Workers Oversees all aspects of Social Work education within MHS including MHS involvement in the SW&CT Service Internship program. Social Work Field Instructors report directly to the Social Work Discipline Lead on all aspects of Social Work Training Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 598-01555-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System employees, including CBOC's Current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) employees Current permanent VA Nationwide employees Current permanent federal employees of other agencies All other applicants 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.

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 09/28/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13066691. 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: License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Transcript Resume Requirement: Your resume MUST include the following information: Job title Description of duties Beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment Average hours worked per week 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 Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. Selections from this announcement will be made without regard to Veterans' preference in accordance with OCHCO Bulletin dated 9/25/2025.

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.