Supervisory Social Worker

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 9/30/2026. The first cut-off dates for referral of eligible applications will be 12/12/2025. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager no later than 12/18/2025. Eligible applications received after 12/12/2025 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis.

Note:

Announcement could close before the closing date - if selections are made before.

• The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9) – as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419 – enacted November 1, 2000.
• To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA – all applicants must meet the following:
  • Citizenship
    • Be a citizen of the United States.
    • (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3g of this part).
  • 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 http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master 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 /T38
      
      Hybrid/.
  • Failure to Obtain License or Certification
    • In all cases – social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment.
    • Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
  • Loss of Licensure or Certification
    • Once licensed or certified – social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment.
    • Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
  • English Language Proficiency
    • Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
  • Supervisory Social Worker – GS‑13 Experience/Education
    • One year of experience equivalent to the GS‑12 grade level.
    • Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment.
    • Candidate may have certification or other post‑master’s degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship – or equivalent supervised professional experience.
    • Individuals assigned as supervisory social workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level – and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
  • Licensure/Certification
    • Individuals assigned as supervisory social workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level – and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities
    • Ability to independently organize work – set priorities – and meet multiple deadlines.
    • Skill in a range of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision – consultation – negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.
    • Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers.
    • Ability to delegate authority – manage priorities – coordinate work – and follow up on pending issues to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion.
    • Abili…