About This Position
The VA Long Beach Healthcare System is recruiting for a full-time Senior Social Worker assigned and reporting directly to the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) Program Manager within the Mental Health Healthcare Group located at the Villages at Cabrillo.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. The individual must have 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. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the 4 accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-12 Senior Social Worker Experience.
The candidate must have at least two years of experience 9 post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice.
Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification. Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. (b) Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. (c) Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. (d) Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. (e) Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Psychologist Qualification Standard.
The full performance level of this position is
- Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and is generally performed in an office and outpatient clinical environment; however, the position may require walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, and movement between clinical areas, meeting locations, or community-based settings as needed to carry out assigned duties. The incumbent must possess sufficient stamina and emotional stability to work effectively with Veterans who may present with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, psychosocial instability, agitation,, crisis needs, or significant emotional distress, must be able to employ appropriate safety awareness, de-escalation practices, and professional judgment in potentially stressful situations.
Major Duties
VA Careers - Mental Health Professionals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMintJXa3Y This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.
You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance. Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides a full range of psychological services to Veterans enrolled in the PRRC, including diagnostic assessment, clinical interviewing, psychological evaluation, risk assessment, recovery-oriented treatment planning, and evidence-based intervention. Conducts psychosocial and recovery-focused assessments to identify Veterans' strengths, needs, preferences, barriers, and goals related to mental health recovery, community integration, independent living, social functioning, education, employment, wellness, and quality of life.
Develops and updates individualized recovery plans in collaboration with Veterans, family members or supports when appropriate, and the interdisciplinary treatment team. Provides individual and group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, skills training, and psychosocial rehabilitation interventions consistent with VA policy, professional standards, and the needs of Veterans with serious mental illness. Facilitates PRRC groups and classes that may address coping skills, symptom management, emotional regulation, illness management and recovery, relapse prevention, interpersonal effectiveness, social skills, community integration, health and wellness, motivation, and recovery maintenance.
Uses evidence-based and recovery-oriented approaches such as cognitive behavioral strategies, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, acceptance- and mindfulness-based strategies, behavioral activation, problem-solving approaches, and other clinically appropriate interventions. Provides clinical services through face-to-face care, VA-approved telehealth modalities, and other authorized care delivery formats as appropriate for the Veteran's needs and program operations. Participates as an active member of the interdisciplinary PRRC team, including team meetings, treatment planning conferences, case consultation, huddles, discharge planning, and coordination of transitions in care.
Coordinates care with psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, peer support, vocational rehabilitation, substance use treatment, primary care, inpatient mental health, residential programs, homeless programs, specialty mental health clinics, and community resources as clinically indicated. Provides consultation to PRRC team members and other Mental Health providers regarding psychological formulation, recovery-oriented care, behavioral interventions, risk management, and treatment engagement strategies. Conducts suicide risk assessments, safety planning, crisis intervention, and appropriate clinical follow-up in accordance with VA policy and professional standards.
Completes timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, risk assessments, consult responses, and discharge or transition documentation. Supports measurement-based care, program evaluation, quality improvement, and performance improvement activities by tracking relevant clinical outcomes and using data to inform care. Participates in PRRC and Mental Health initiatives related to access, continuity of care, recovery-oriented practice, patient safety, evidence-based treatment, and Veteran experience.
Maintains professional competence through continuing education, licensure, ethical practice, and adherence to VA, VHA, facility, and other applicable social work professional standards. Performs other duties as assigned that are consistent with the role of a Senior Social Worker within the PRRC and Mental Health Healthcare Group. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized at Supervisory discretion.
Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 EDRP Authorized: Yes
Conditions of Employment
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.
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.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript with the conferred date must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 You Will Be Evaluated
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. For each relevant work experience, make sure you include: Employer name Job title Start and end dates (include the month and year).
The number of hours you worked per week. Brief descriptions that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. Series and grade for federal jobs only. Make sure applicable education, license, and/or certification information is included in the resume.
Please visit What To Include for resume writing tips (not to include the two-page limitation). 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.
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.
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 06/01/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12968254. 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 Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript 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 License Other (1) Professional Certification Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: 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. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.