Senior Social Worker (Substance Abuse Treatment Program)

Summary

This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA ELRS program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact VISN15EDRP@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Duties

The Senior Social Worker works independently and is responsible for providing a broad range of professional services to patients for substance abuse evaluation and treatment. Develops and implements treatment programs through therapeutic contact over an extended period. Assesses patients with particularly complex or unusual disorders and assists patients in recognizing and resolving problems within themselves and/or involving family and other affected persons. The Senior Social Worker is a professional mental health care provider with comprehensive knowledge of accepted behavioral science theories, methods, techniques, and practices. Must be proficient in a wide variety of modalities and skills as well as facilitate complex behavior assessment, modification, and treatment. The mission of the Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) is to provide treatment of a variety of complex problems involving alcohol and drug dependency. FUNCTION OF POSITION The GS 12 Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Senior Social Worker (LCSW) assumes responsibility for the provision of substance abuse outpatient services to Veterans. The Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Senior Social Worker (LCSW) must have advanced knowledge of psychodynamics and use a wide range of treatment modalities, including crisis intervention, contingency management, evidence-based therapy, individual case work, group work, patient education, supportive therapy, discharge planning, and knowledge of aftercare treatment resources. The Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Senior Social Worker (LCSW) holds primary case management responsibility for patients, using professional knowledge of the alcohol and drug rehabilitation program concepts, principles, procedures, and practices and applies this knowledge to difficult and complex case assignments The Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Senior Social Worker (LCSW) develops and implements comprehensive treatment plans. The Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Senior Social Worker (LCSW) holds primary case management responsibility for implementing complex treatment plans. Case management complexity is intensified by the fact that many of the patients are resistant, uncooperative and have co-occurring (primary and secondary) diagnoses requiring close coordination with other resources. The Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Senior Social Worker (LCSW) applies complex rehabilitation principles to conduct comprehensive substance use evaluations The Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) Senior Social Worker (LCSW) serves as an advanced practice resource/subject matter expert during case consultation sessions to ensure education and support to all SATP team members/GS 13's, GS 12's, GS 11's, GS 9's, peers, nurses, MSA, and others. Work Schedule: 8:00AM-4:30PM (After hours rotational on call is a requirement of this position.) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Travel: Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more.

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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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 08/07/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13024923. 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 Professional Certification Resume Transcript HIGHLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU CLEARLY DOCUMENT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA's) LISTED FOR THE POSITION. THEY ARE LISTED IN THE QUALIFICATION SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Driver's License: 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. 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License HIGHLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU CLEARLY DOCUMENT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA's) LISTED FOR THE POSITION. THEY ARE LISTED IN THE QUALIFICATION SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Other (2) Other (3) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript HIGHLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU CLEARLY DOCUMENT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA's) LISTED FOR THE POSITION. THEY ARE LISTED IN THE QUALIFICATION SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Driver's License: 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.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.