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SOCIAL WORKER

Department of the Air Force
Pacific Air Forces
1 SPEC OPS ACFT MAIN SQ
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide a full range of professional social work services within operational Air Force (AF) squadrons. Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary Integrated Operational Support (IOS) team directly supporting the Line of the Air Force (LAF) mission assigned TRUE NORTH (TFTN) program.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/20/2025 to 11/28/2025
Salary
$75,706 to - $98,422 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Kadena Air Base Okinawa, Japan
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
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
Yes
Announcement number
8T-AFPC-12839353-995933-NIM
Control number
850638100

Duties

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DUTY 1: Observes and participates in squadron activities in order to identify psychosocial stressors and barriers to optimal human performance.

DUTY 2: Develops and implements initiatives to mitigate psychosocial stressors and risks and optimize airmen performance.

DUTY 3: Provides psychological consultation, education, and training to military commanders/senior leaders, other mental health professionals, and medical staff.

DUTY 4: Conducts psychodiagnostic assessments and provides evidence-based psychotherapy.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • The gaining unit may pay for PCS expenses
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • At a minimum, qualification requirements stipulated by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for the 0185 occupational series must be met.
  • Selective Placement Factor: Possess a current, unrestricted license to practice clinical social work independently in any one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S Virgin Islands.
  • Practice will require clinical privileges at the host MTF. MUST maintain active clinical privileges for the duration of employment. Must sustain current competency to practice at the independent level.
  • Must have practiced as an independent licensed clinical social worker within the past two years.
  • As a condition of employment, government civilian providers must meet all applicable credentialing requirements IAW local military treatment facility guidelines and be fully qualified to perform within the scope of their practice.
  • Must possess and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Incumbent may share on-call duty during weeknights and/or weekends on a rotational basis as required consistent with other mental health professionals of the same specialty performing like duties.
  • This position has been identified as having "regular contact with children". IAW Public Law 101-647 Section 231, and Public Law 102-190, Section 1094. A FBI fingerprint and State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) Check will be completed.
  • Completion of appropriate clinical and administrative duties may involve “after hours” care or work in addition to regular duties.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirement for the Professional and Scientific Positions, GS-0185, Social Work Series.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:
Degree:
Social work. Must fulfill all of the requirements for the master's degree in social work in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: Providing professional knowledge of social work practices, principles, theories, and administrative requirements to be able to apply them in a clinical or occupational setting. Using knowledge of evidence-based treatments for a full range of psychiatric disorders to plan and provide treatment to patients. Applying knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association to evaluate psychiatric disorders and apply professional diagnostic skills. Providing knowledge of military organizations and culture and the unique stressors upon workers in an operational military workplace. Exercising knowledge of administration, scoring, and interpretation of select psychological and psycho-social measures to properly assess patient's and family's needs. Using an understanding of behavioral risk management and ability to engage appropriate protections when risk of harm to self or others is present. Providing guidance and consultation services to medical professionals, military leaders, and facilitate referrals to military or community-based human service agencies and resources, i.e., Protective Services or financial aid organizations.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Professional knowledge of social work practices, principles, theories, and administrative requirements to be able to apply them in a clinical or occupational setting.
  2. Professional knowledge of evidence-based treatments for a full range of psychiatric disorders to plan and provide treatment to patients.
  3. Knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association to evaluate psychiatric disorders and apply professional diagnostic skills.
  4. Knowledge of military organizations and culture, and unique stressors in an operational military workplace.
  5. Knowledge of administration, scoring, and interpretation of select psychological and psycho-social measures to properly assess patient's and family's needs. Sophisticated understanding of behavioral risk management and ability to engage appropriate protections as needed when risk of harm to self or others is present.
  6. Ability to provide guidance and consultation services to medical professionals and military leaders, and facilitate referrals to military or community-based human service agencies and resources; e.g., Protective Services or financial aid organizations.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click here to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: When job announcements indicate PCS costs are authorized, overseas allowances may be authorized in accordance with Department of State Standardized Regulation (DSSR) and any applicable Federal Overseas Regulations.

Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval).

Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.

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