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Senior Substance Abuse Counselor

Department of Defense
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA
Naval Medical Center - San Diego
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at Naval Medical Center, DIrectorate of Behavioral Health in San Diego, California.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/28/2025 to 04/04/2025
Salary
$84,462 to - $109,795 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Temporary duty travel is 5%.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
HSJG256299540282D
Control number
834393100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualification" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Duties

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  • Schedule, coordinate, and monitor tasks and rehabilitation activities of assigned treatment teams caseloads.
  • Participate in strategic planning and program development.
  • Assist the treatment team and assigned counselors in adhering to established clinical guidelines such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Joint Commission, MTF, Service Component and Department policies.
  • Maintain highly developed professional skills to be able to perform all clinical services and make recommendations regarding diagnosis, level of care, and treatment planning.
  • Make recommendations regarding substance abuse rehabilitation program (SARP) development and treatment policies, schedules, and special patient events.
  • Lead psychoeducational classes and workshops on substance abuse prevention and recovery.
  • Develop patient treatment plans and documents all patient clinical encounters in electronic medical record.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position requires the incumbent have a Drug and Alcohol Counselor Certification or Equivalent State Certification within 6 months of employment.
  • The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal Drug Free Workplace Programs.
  • Detection of the presence of drugs is warranted. This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
  • Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
  • Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
  • Must obtain and maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) training and certification from the American Heart Association or Military Training Network.
  • This position has occasional, Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel that maybe required.
  • This is a Mission Essential position.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Senior Substance Abuse Counselor:

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, such as substance abuse counseling, psychology, or clinical mental health counseling.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

Experience: Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes performing two or more of the following: conducting patient screenings, facilitating treatment groups, providing treatment recommendations and collaborating with physicians or social workers or other professionals involved in the client's care. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as substance abuse counseling, psychology, or clinical mental health counseling. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)


You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Education and Training
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Written Communication

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
  • Advanced Leave Accrual may be authorized.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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