Social Worker (Clinical / Independent Practice)

Quick Facts

• Role: Social Worker (Clinical / Independent Practice), GS-11

• Primary focus: Psychological suitability evaluation for military recruits; psychosocial assessment and treatment

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00am–3:30pm

Description

This Social Worker role supports a Recruit Evaluation Unit by assessing recruits’ psychological fitness for military service and providing psychological treatment when indicated. The position conducts psychosocial assessments, performs psycho-diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (including individual and group therapy), and contributes to evaluations needed to determine fitness-for-duty. The clinician also supervises assigned staff and serves as a subject matter expert for high-risk patients.

Responsibilities

• Assess psychological suitability for military service and fitness for duty

• Monitor all phases of recruit mental health evaluation (self-, medical, special security clearance, and command-directed evaluations)

• Provide individual and group psychotherapy (e.g., CBT, psychodynamic, EMDR, stress management) and other treatment interventions

• Perform evaluations and provide recommended dispositions for recruits

• Provide additional psychological services to dependent/retired personnel as directed

• Coordinate care and community referrals; comply with DoD/DoN directives and recruit training protocols

• Supervise assigned technicians and trainees and direct the patient care team

• Consult with leadership and advise on best practices and procedural changes for fitness-for-duty determinations

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program

• State licensure/certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level (required for GS-11)

• For GS-11: at least 1 year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or related social work or a doctoral degree in social work substituting for the experience

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in community resource coordination, psychosocial assessment and interventions, medical/mental health diagnosis understanding, and treatment modalities across individuals, families, and groups

• Ability to provide consultation to social work trainees/new social workers and staff

• Subject to background/security investigation and completion of onboarding/trial period

• Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959

Benefits

• Competitive federal salary with regular increases

• Paid time off (13–26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays) and potential credit toward annual leave accrual

• Parental leave (after 12 months of employment)

• Child care subsidy eligibility (after 60 days, income threshold applies)

• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K (up to 5% contributions)

• Federal health/vision/dental and life/long-term care insurance options

• Telework: not available