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General Mental Health Assistant Clinical Director (Social Worker)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Atlanta VA Health Care System/ Mental Health Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent is the supervisor for the General Mental Health (GMH) Team (Central, North, or South Region) within the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL). GMH is a comprehensive team which delivers high quality and timely care to Veterans in our catchment area suffering from a broad spectrum of mental health problems. The GMH is part of the continuum of care within the MHSL.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/17/2025 to 10/27/2025
Salary
$132,904 to - $172,777 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Atlanta, GA
Cobb County, GA
Decatur, GA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Ad-hoc is available
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBTB-12812496-26-JMM
Control number
848192500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties

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**THIS POSITION IS ONLY BEING OFFERED TO CURRENT ATLANTA VA FACILITY EMPLOYEES**

FUNCTIONS:

Program Management Responsibilities (60%)
The incumbent supervises a group of employees (approximately fifteen non-prescribers) performing work at the GS-13 levels and below, including advanced practice social workers, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and peer support specialists. The incumbent provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit.

The incumbent performs the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised. Incumbent will have established guidelines and performance expectations for staff, clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. The supervisor provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Incumbent assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.

Incumbent supervises employees to accomplish the work of the organization unit. Exercises supervisor authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review, as well as the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised.

The incumbent performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to state, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided to monitor activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. In addition, the incumbent uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. The incumbent performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, DOD, state, etc.).

Program Evaluation/Outcome Measurement (10%)
Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs. The Supervisory Social Worker leads the performance improvement process through development of programmatic monitors to achieve service line, facility and VHA measures. He/she oversees periodic performance reviews of the GMH Program to ensure adequate self-assessment in accordance with Joint Commission standards. He/she consults with quality management in developing actions plans and pertinent programmatic procedures. He/she is responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component. A substantial portion of the workload directed by this position is carried out at one or more locations that are physically removed from the main unit under conditions that make day-to-day supervision difficult to administer.

Academic/Training/Teaching (10%)
The incumbent is a co-lead with the team Medical Director which encompasses the planning and administering of daily team meetings, integrating the recovery model principles into operations, and stimulating team involvement towards problem solving. The team leader also coordinates interdisciplinary care rounds to facilitate a regular schedule for staffing of veterans and to foster comprehensive recovery/treatment planning through pertinent services such as PRRC and supported employment. The team leader collaborates with the Local Recovery Coordinator to maximize recovery-oriented services through care planning, staff training, and family education. The team leader serves as a point of contact during daily operations to triage patient issues and direct appropriate intervention. The team leader may be a field instructor for social work interns.

Clinical Responsibilities (20%)
As a full clinical member of the General Mental Health CBOC and/or clinic Teams, provides a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services appropriate to the general mental health care setting, especially in the areas of general psychosocial evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and focused assessments.

Provides a full range of interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on brief and evidenced-based interventions found to be effective in general mental health care settings.

Facilitates patient and family education appropriate to the general mental health care setting and the specific presenting mental or behavioral health issues.

Work Schedule: Monday thorough Friday; Day Tour
Telework: Ad-hoc Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 58856F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education. Have a Master's degree in social work (MSW) 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. Please note: A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work.
Licensure. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. VHA may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites.
English Language Proficiency. Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Regulations.

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).

Must pass a background check.

Grade Requirements:
GS-13 Supervisory Social Worker

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.
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
1. Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines
2. Skill in a range of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.
3. Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers.
4. Ability to delegate authority, manage priorities, coordinate work, and follow up on pending issues to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion.
5. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems, develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service.
6. Ability to provide staff training and development.
Assignments.For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory social workers at the GS-13 grade level typically supervise professional and non-professional staff. They are responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area in a social work service, in a care/product line, or across multiple sites, (e.g., multi-division facilities and CBOCs). Incumbent may also provide direct clinical services.]

The full performance level of a Social Worker is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13.

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During 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 Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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