Senior Social Worker

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

The Senior Social Worker is responsible for the independent management, coordination, and provision of social work services to Veterans and their families in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare Systems (VA CWM). This position is located at the Pittsfield CBOC of VA CWM. Duties include but are not limited to: Independently works with Veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral and psychosocial problems, most notably those with chronic substance abuse and dependence. Has working knowledge and experience in use of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures. Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides case management. Provides screening, triage, and brief treatment of patients not formally enrolled in treatment. Actively participates as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, collaborating with Veterans, their families and the team to develop and implement outpatient treatment plans. Provides consultation and education to Veterans and their families regarding community resources, VA benefits, specialty programs and advanced directives. Offers consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients with substance abuse disorders. Assists with/provides program evaluation and monitoring activities with a focus on Quality Improvement opportunities and Risk Management within the program. Complies with agency directives, circulars, procedures, and policies. Maintains records and statistics, compiles reports, prepares correspondence, makes entries in medical records, evaluates activities and carries out special project assignments. Meets the need of the customer while supporting VA missions. Provides consistent information according to policy and procedure and handles conflict in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Hannah Neilson, EDRP Coordinator at Hannah.Neilson@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: May be authorized as determined per agency policy Functional Statement #: F08785 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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.

IMPORTANT: A transcript 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/.