Social Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

37-50 days annual paid time off

Child Care Subsidy

Federal health and dental insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a full-time Mental Health Counselor at the Fargo VA Health Care System. This role involves providing mental health services to veterans, including assessment, treatment planning, therapy, and counseling. Candidates must have a master's degree in social work, relevant licensure, and be U.S. citizens.

Eligible candidates may also partake in the Education Debt Reduction Program, making it an attractive opportunity for dedicated social workers. This position offers robust benefits, a competitive salary, and potential student loan repayment.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess a master's degree in social work from an accredited program.
• Must have licensure to practice social work at the master's level.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health services to Veterans enrolled at the Fargo VA Healthcare System.
• Advocate for Veterans and coordinate linkages to service providers.
• Collaborate with MHC Team and interdisciplinary treatment teams.

Skills

Veteran-centric approach

Psychosocial assessment

Treatment modalities

Effective communication

Knowledge of medical terminology

Community resources knowledge

Education

Master's degree in social work

Licensure/certification as social worker

Job description

Summary

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full‑time Mental Health Counselor. This vacancy will be filled by a Social Worker – Marriage and Family Therapist – Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor – or Staff psychologist. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

Qualifications

Health Professional Trainee (HPT) applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• Education: 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 in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not substitute for the master’s degree in 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. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations, but this exception applies only at the GS‑9 grade level. For the GS‑11 grade level and above the candidate must be licensed or certified.
• English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3j.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• Grade Determinations: GS‑9 Experience – Education – and Licensure.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Utilize a Veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors.
• Assess psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and formulate and implement a treatment plan identifying Veterans’ problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.
• Implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals, using supportive, problem‑solving, or crisis‑intervention techniques.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
• Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.
• For GS‑11 grade level: completion of a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in health care or other social work‑related settings and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level, OR a doctoral degree in social work that may substitute for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals and coordinate services.
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for a wide variety of individuals from various socio‑economic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
• Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff regarding psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.

Physical Requirements

You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Provide mental health services to Veterans enrolled at the Fargo VA Healthcare System, including assessment, treatment planning, goal setting, therapy, and counseling.
• Advocate for Veterans and coordinate linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers and agencies as needed by the client.
• Collaborate with other members of the MHC Team or other interdisciplinary treatment teams as appropriate.
• Screen for and intervene in crisis situations; provide education, health promotion, and prevention support.
• Administer evidence‑based psychotherapy and manage administrative responsibilities.
• Participate in the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) if eligible, meeting specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submitting the application within four months of appointment.

Benefits

• Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and up to $200,000 in Education Loan Repayment Services program award amount possible.
• Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). 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 for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment – eligible full‑time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may receive a childcare subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs for eligible children, up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA.
• VA Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Telework: Available on an ad‑hoc basis; this is not a virtual position.
• Permanent Change of Station: Not authorized.