Qualifications

***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 30th , 2026 The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be January 19th, 20205 with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.***

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Education
• You must possess a master's degree in Social Work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited
• Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work
• Licensure or Certification - You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• Grade Determinations: Social Worker- Program Manager Chief of Mental Health GS 14 Experience/Education
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level
• The chief social work service must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills
• Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment
• May have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience
• Licensure/Certification
• The chief social worker must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in providing the full range of supervisory duties across multiple service divisions/sections, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluation, selection of staff, and recommendations of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions
• Skill in applying legal, ethical, and professional standards to social work practice
• Skill in developing, maintaining, and managing social work services in multiple divisions/sections
• Ability to ensure compliance with social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care
• Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on 25 social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements Skill in administrative oversight to ensure compliance with social work licensure requirements
• Preferred Experience: 5 or more years of supervisory experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Duties are performed in an office setting and/or on hospital wards and clinics where there is exposure to communicable diseases common of the client population.