A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.MENUKeywordsLocation or RemoteSearchSenior Social WorkerDepartment of Veterans AffairsVeterans Health AdministrationVeterans Health Administration - Mental HealthPrintShareSaveSummaryThe Greater Los Angeles Health Care System (GLAHCS) is seeking a Social Worker to serve within the Mental Health service.SummaryThe Greater Los Angeles Health Care System (GLAHCS) is seeking a Social Worker to serve within the Mental Health service.OverviewAccepting applicationsOpen & closing dates10/08/2025 to 12/08/2025 Salary$113,559 to - $147,633 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12Location1 vacancy in the following location:Los Angeles, CA1 vacancyRemote jobNo Telework eligibleNo Travel RequiredNot required Relocation expenses reimbursedNo Appointment typePermanent Work scheduleFull-time ServiceExceptedPromotion potentialNoneJob family (Series)
Supervisory statusNo Security clearanceDrug testNo Position sensitivity and riskTrust determination process
Financial disclosureBargaining unit statusAnnouncement numberCBSX-12810096-26-JOT Control number 847745200This job is open toClarification from the agencyThis is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Note: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.VideosDutiesVA Careers - Social Work:Duties include but are not limited to:

Monitoring Veterans that have been identified as high-risk for suicide.
Responding to Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) consults in a timely manner.
Assuring that Veterans identified as being high risk for suicide receive enhanced follow-up for any missed mental health and substance abuse appointments in conjunction with the clinical treatment team.
Conducting assessment interviews, developing treatment plans and providing intensive case management to eligible Veterans.
Collecting data, administrative record keeping, and monitoring program outcomes. Including tracking and reporting of Veteran suicide attempts and suicide deaths, as well completion of applicable duties after a suicide attempt or death including Issue Briefs, Behavioral Autopsy Program (BHAP), SPAN reporting, Family Interview Telephone Contact (FIT-C), Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and post-intervention briefings.
Providing general consultation to providers concerning resources for suicidal individuals, as well as expertise and direction in the areas of system design to prevent suicidal deaths within their local VA medical centers. The incumbent provides training in Operation S.A.V.E. or other approved gatekeeper training,

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsConditions 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 dentification 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.QualificationsApplicants 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:Citizenship.
Citizen of the United States.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 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 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 .

Different states have different levels of licensure or certification, making it difficult for VHA staff to determine the independent practice level. Each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia completed surveys identifying the level of licensure or certification allowing independent practice. Copies of the surveys are on file in the VHA Office of Care Management and Social Work Services, and a summary spreadsheet of the levels of licensure or certification is available to social work professional standards board members for purposes of determining whether the social worker's level of licensure or certification meets the VHA qualification standards. All states except California use a series of licensure exams administered by the ASWB. Information can be found at

The ASWB is the association of boards that regulates social work. ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work. The ASWB offers three examinations. The master's examination is generally used by states for the independent practice level of licensure or certification, while the advanced generalist and the clinical examinations are used for the advanced practice level of licensure or certification. Differences between the master's and the advanced exams demonstrate the expectation that advanced practice social workers will have a more sophisticated knowledge of practice theory and its application. 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-12 Senior Social Worker

Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and it should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. AND can demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

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.
Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
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.
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.
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 .The full performance level of this position is 12.Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.EducationIMPORTANT: 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: . 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: .Additional informationDuring 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 at . Expand Hide additional informationCandidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .

Senior Social Worker

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