Marriage and Family Therapist - PTSD Clinical Team Job in Sheridan, WY

Vacancy No. CBSU-12813035-26-GH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $61,111.00 to $96,116.00 Grade 9 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/14/2025 Close Date 12/29/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Sheridan, WY


Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or past/current/upcoming Health Professional Training (HPT) under the OAA Program through the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA). ***If you ARE a current federal employee, please apply to the internal announcement CBSU-12813036-26-GH*** NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

  • Provides specialized treatment of PTSD & associated mental health needs in the Mental Health Programs.
  • Incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans patients, including making psychosocial & psychiatric diagnoses.
  • Evaluates the client's situation, including the Veteran's reaction & ability to deal with it, & arrives at a reasoned conclusion.
  • Provides individual, group and family psychotherapy interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder & comorbid mental health needs.
  • Implements use of Measurement-Based Care for measuring effectiveness of clinical practice and services in specialty areas, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services.
  • Develops treatment plans in coordination with appropriate PCT & BHIP Team Members, including goals for treatment.
  • Provides independent consultation & makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team on course of treatment.
  • Demonstrates the ability to make treatment plan changes based on empirical findings as well as to provide a flexible work schedule to accommodate emergency or urgent care matters.
  • Interviews Veterans & their family members/significant others to establish facts about the Veteran's situation, presenting problems & their causes, & the impact of such problems on the Veteran's functioning and health.
  • Uses subjective & objective data in making clinical assessment of the Veteran's needs. Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, & insight. Uses advanced clinical training, & experience to identify viable treatment options and makes appropriate referrals for care.
  • Works with Veterans who are not able to engage in the detailed depth of PCT care by aiding in their return to Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) where they will gain coping skills in effort to improve the success rate in future Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (EBP).
  • Assesses at-risk factors and develops a preliminary disposition plan involving the Veterans and family or significant others.
  • Assesses serious & complicated cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, & other high-risk diagnoses.
  • Makes independent professional decisions & recommendations for treatment.
  • Finds a suitable means of treatment to help Veterans &/or significant others cope with stressful situations.
  • Provides quality therapy by utilizing Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (EBP) in the treatment of Veterans served & utilizes nationally provided EBP templates to properly capture care provided.
  • Concludes the appropriate action, even in instances where actions can have serious impact on the life of the Veterans.
  • Evaluates his/her practice as a clinician on an on-going basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, or other organized means.
  • Acts as a community & family liaison by initiating and maintaining necessary contact with the patient, his/her family, VA Healthcare System service programs and personnel, mental health agencies, & other related resource agencies.
  • Provides support & consultation to these varying individuals, programs, & agencies as necessary or in the best interest of the patient.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Ad-hoc.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 59259A; 59260A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until December 29, 2025, or until the position is filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be October 28, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected, but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.
Education. Candidates must meet one of the following:
  1. Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage & family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE,
  2. Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage & family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR,
  3. Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health degree (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, & Psychiatry) that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession.
Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0182 series in VHA must hold a full, current, & unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage & family therapy in a State.
  • Exception: VHA, may waive the licensure requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of State prerequisites for licensure examinations for a period not to exceed three years from the date of employment. This exception only applies at the entry grade level (GS-9). For grades at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed.
English Language Proficiency. MFTs must be proficient in spoken & written English.

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a MFT on the effective date of this qualification standard (4/18/2018) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it must meet one of the provisions listed in the qualification standard.

Grade Determinations.

Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-9 (Entry Level)
Experience, Education & Licensure. The entry level grade is used for non-licensed MFTs or for MFTs (master's or doctoral level) who are graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level. Unlicensed MFTs at the GS-9 grade level have completed the required education listed in above, & are working toward completion of prerequisites for licensure.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience, education, & licensure for the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  1. Knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan, interventions based on research & family systems theory & therapy, formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practice & assessment tools.
  2. Ability to assess, with supervision, the psychosocial functioning & needs of Veterans & their family members.
  3. Knowledge to formulate, implement, & re-evaluate a treatment plan through continuous assessment identifying the Veteran's challenges, strengths, readiness to change, external influences & current events surrounding the origins & maintenance of the presenting issue, & interactional patterns within the client system.
  4. Ability to provide counseling &, or psychotherapy services, under supervision, to individuals, groups, couples and families in a manner that facilitates change through restructuring & reorganizing of the client system.
  5. Basic knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, & regulations affecting professional practice of marriage & family therapy.
  6. Ability to draft documents, manage data, maintain accurate, timely & thorough clinical documentation, & track quality improvements.
Marriage and Family Therapist, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
Experience, Education & Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, the GS-11 full performance level requires completion of a minimum of 1 year of post-master's degree experience in the field of marriage & family therapy work (VA or non-VA experience) & licensure in a State at the independent practice level.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below. OR,
In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in marriage & family therapy or comparable degree in mental health that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) may be substituted for the required 1 year of marriage & family therapy experience in a clinical setting. &
The candidate must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level & they must demonstrate the following KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience, education, & licensure for GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below:
  1. Skill to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans & their family members.
  2. Ability to provide counseling &, or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups, couples & families that facilitates change through restructuring & reorganizing the client system.
  3. Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with Veterans & their families, colleagues, & other professionals in collaboration throughout treatment regarding clinical, ethical & legal issues & concerns.
  4. Knowledge & understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, regulations & VA policies affecting the practice of marriage & family therapy. This includes the ability to assist Veterans and their families in making informed decisions relevant to treatment to include limits of confidentiality.
  5. Ability to provide orientation, training & consultation to new MFTs including clinical oversight of MFT graduate students, &/or provide clinical supervision to pre-licensure MFTs.
  6. Skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely & thorough clinical documentation, & tracking quality improvements.
Preferred Experience:
  • Extensive experience in working with PTSD, including familiarity with cognitive behavior therapy (CPT) for PTSD, prolonged exposure (PE), written exposure therapy (WET) for PTSD, & other evidence-based protocols (EBPs).
  • Proficient in suicide prevention and capable in mental health crisis care.
  • Completion of evidence-based protocols (EBPs) training with certification.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Must be physically & mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses are permitted), keen hearing (aid permitted), clear distinctive speech, & manual dexterity. Moderate levels of lifting & carrying (15-44 pounds). Occasional exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume


Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/29/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12813035.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
Sheridan VA Health Care System
1898 Fort Road
Sheridan, WY 82801
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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