Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current, permanent VA/Federal employees. Health Professional Trainees are encouraged to apply. ***If you are NOT a current, permanent VA/Federal employee, please apply to the Public Announcement Vacancy 12931958*** NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

VA Careers - Mental Health Professionals: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMintJXa3Y

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Providing initial intake screenings and assessment of Veterans using observation, assessment tools, and structured interview to prepare written assessments based on social, medical, family, military, psychiatric, and other relevant reasons for referral.
• Developing rehabilitation treatment plans using measurable treatment goals and objectives.
• Providing family psychoeducation or consultation to significant others or family members involved in Veterans' care.
• Providing individual and group counseling services using behavioral principles and evidence-based methods to treat substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.
• Facilitating discharge planning, post-rehabilitation placement, and aftercare services through VA and community resources.
• Providing initial orientation and education to Veterans regarding standards of behavior, expectations, and plans for evaluating progress.

Work Schedule: Monday-Sunday, includes a requirement to work at least one weekend day. Tour of duty is flexible.
Compressed/Flexible:Authorized
Telework: May be authorized at Supervisory discretion.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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

Applicants 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.
LMAT candidates must meet the education requirements defined below:

• Hold a master's degree or higher in drug and alcohol studies or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university.

AND

Licensure. Individuals appointed or reassigned to an LMAT position must possess a full, current, and unrestricted license in a jurisdiction for independent practice in the field of Alcohol and Drug Treatment.

• Exception. The Secretary or designee may waive the licensure requirement for selectees who are otherwise qualified, pending state acceptance of completion of state prerequisites at the master's level. Licensures can be waived for three years from the date of employment. This exception is allowed on the condition that non-licensed LMATs appointed on this basis provide care only under the clinical supervision of an LMAT from the designated assignments to provide clinical supervision. Non-licensed LMAT applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be appointed as LMATs under the authority of 38 U.S.C.§ 7401(3). This exception applies only at the GS-09 entry grade level and individuals may not be promoted/converted until they obtain the required license. For grades/assignments at or above the full performance level, candidates must be licensed at the master's level.

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
GS-09 Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's)

• Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of coexisting medical or other mental health disorders and the interrelationship of SUDs.
  • Knowledge of basic recovery programs and resources.
  • Skill in providing individual and group therapy, including using certain SUD Evidenced-Based Therapy (EBTs).
  • Skill in developing and maintaining effective working or therapeutic relationships with multidisciplinary staff, Veterans and their families, and community resources to ensure appropriate referrals.
  • Ability to complete the assessment of substance use disorders, treatment/recovery planning and continuing care planning.
  • Ability to identify patients who are in psychological distress consistent with VA national policy and within scope of certification and secure appropriate interventions.

GS-11 Addiction Therapist (Licensed Master's)

• Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) AND can demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Skill to independently complete assessments of substance use disorders, treatment planning and continued care planning.
  • Skill to apply the principles, concepts and methods of counseling and therapies used in the treatment of individuals with SUDs.
  • Skill to collaborate and consult on medical or other psychiatric disorders as interrelated to SUDs.
  • Ability to apply various community-based recovery programs and resources in a treatment plan.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Addiction Therapist Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 09 to 11.

Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. It typically requires sitting with sustained periods of concentration. There will be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of relatively light objects. The position may also require stooping, reaching, lifting, pulling, and other moderate exertion or strain. Incumbent may occasionally have to walk some distance to a meeting.

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.

For each relevant work experience, make sure you include:

• Employer name
• Job title
• Start and end dates (include the month and year).
• The number of hours you worked per week.
• Brief descriptions that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement.
• Series and grade for federal jobs only.

Make sure applicable education, license, and/or certification information is included in the resume.

Please visit What To Include for resume writing tips (not to include the two-page limitation).

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.