SOCIAL WORKER Job in Vandenberg AFB, CA

Vacancy No. 5Z-AFPC-12691986-710988-RSE Department United States Space Force
Salary $75,706.00 to $117,034.00 Grade 3 to 3
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/17/2025 Close Date 2/21/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Vandenberg AFB, CA


Summary


The primary purpose of this position is to provide a full range of professional social work services within operational Air Force squadrons. Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary Integrated Operational Support (IOS) team directly supporting the Line of the Air Force (LAF) mission. Assists assigned organization with the goal of building resiliency, enhancing human performance and improving unit mission effectiveness

Duties

Duty 1: Observes and participates in unit activities in order to identify psychosocial stressors and barriers to optimal human performance. Integrates into the full spectrum of unit activities observing Service members in the conduct of their duties across the full span of worksites, processes, and shifts.

Duty 2: Develops and implements program initiatives, executing strategies to mitigate psychosocial stressors and risks to optimize Service members and mission performance. Utilizes information gathered through direct observations within unit worksites, interviews with squadron personnel, and objective medical, safety, and fitness data to select or develop evidence-based initiatives to mitigate identified hazards and barriers to optimal health and performance, and to enhance resiliency.

Duty 3: Provides psychological consultation, education, and training to military commanders/senior leaders, other MH professionals, and medical staff. Promotes and preserves a psychotherapeutic atmosphere among the professional treatment team. Advises commanders, supervisors, and referring providers regarding patient's status, treatment needs, and prognosis where appropriate and IAW the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, relevant DoD, Defense Health Agency and Service regulations, and professional standards and ethics of licensing boards and applicable professional organizations.

Duty 4: Conducts psycho-diagnostic assessments and provides evidence-based psychotherapy services. Applies a broad range of professional knowledge that encompasses prevention and limited scope counseling within the unit. Counseling within the unit will be limited to low acuity and low complexity problems LSC guidance and techniques IAW DHA and DAF policy.

Duty 5: Management of operational clinical services, resource allocation, and agency partnerships. Position will require the incumbent to implement, develop, and sustain a line-embedded IOS Operational Clinical Services facility where healthcare is performed that ensures compliance with all appropriate procedures to maintain Accreditation Organization standards and elements of performance IAW the DHA, building codes, OSHA guidelines, DAF, and the support MTF's Clinical Quality Management program requirements/requests.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required. Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance.
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program. Vandenberg SFB is a high cost of living area.
  • For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
  • Must possess and maintain a current, active, full, and unrestricted license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor independently in any one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
  • Selective Placement Factors for Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Must have following minimum qualifications.
  • Qualification requirements stipulated by the US Office of Personnel Management for the 0185 occupational series must be met.
  • Completed a Master of Social Work degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
  • Must have completed a master's level practicum or 2 years postmaster of Social Work degree experience that qualified for taking the independent licensure exam.
  • As a condition of employment as a government civilian Licensed Professional Counselor/Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the applicant must meet MTF credentialing and privileging competency requirements.
  • Applicants tentatively selected for this position are required to meet all applicable credentialing and privileging requirements and be fully qualified to perform within the full scope of their clinical field.
  • As an independent and unsupervised licensed practitioner at the host installation MTF.
  • The applicant is not eligible for the award of supervised privileges and cannot be placed on a plan of supervision to meet these requirements. The hiring official will work with the installation MTF to ensure.
  • The applicant meets all requirements and provides the verification to the civilian personnel office prior to the applicant receiving a firm job offer.
  • Must have actively practiced as a licensed independent practitioner within the past 2 years.
  • Must provide evidence of current adult clinical practice within the past 2 years as an independent Licensed Professional Counselor or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to the host installation MTF.
  • IOS government civilian providers who work with a unit supporting PRAP Airmen will be required to accomplish specific PRAP training using a variety of methods, to include medical treatment facility in-processing, clinic briefings, and peer education.
  • In addition to local training, will attend the USAFSAM Medical PRAP course for certification within 6 months of hire. Funding for this course provided by unit/organization the employee aligns to through a unit manning document.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Master’s Degree or higher in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, Social Work Series 0185 +IOR.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
Degree: Successfully completed a master's degree with a major in social work or fulfilled 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 provide a copy of your transcripts with your application.

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 broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Examples of Specialized experience includes professional knowledge of clinical counseling practices, principles, theories, and administrative requirements to apply them in a clinical or occupational setting and medical documentation; knowledge of a full range of psychiatric disorders and ability to provide treatment to patients. Also, professional knowledge of understanding of the technical requirements of the job. Achieves, demonstrates, and maintains the appropriate qualifications necessary to assume and execute key acquisition and/or support requirements. Demonstrates skilled critical thinking in identifying, analyzing, and solving complex issues, as appropriate. Takes and displays personal accountability in leading, overseeing, guiding, and/or managing programs and projects within assigned areas of responsibility. To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education, click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/social-science-series-0185/

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 NH-02 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the NH-03 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 clinical counseling practices, principles, theories, and administrative requirements to be able to apply them in a clinical or occupational setting and medical documentation.
2. Professional knowledge of evidence-based treatments for a full range of psychiatric disorders to plan and provide treatment to patients.3. Knowledge of diagnostic issues related to psychiatric disorders IAW the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association.
4. Knowledge of military organizations and culture and the unique stressors upon workers in an operational military workplace.
5. Knowledge of and proficiency in (at minimum 1 preferably 2) evidenced-based treatment modalities used for the treatment of trauma-related disorders such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing and knowledge of social services delivery systems to ensure effective program management and communication.
6. Knowledge and skill in administration, scoring, and interpretation of select psychological and psycho-social screening measures to properly assess patient's needs. Understanding of behavioral risk management and the ability to engage appropriate protections as needed when the risk of harm to self or others is present and skill and ability to provide guidance and consultation services to medical professionals and military leaders and facilitate referrals to military or community ability to engage appropriate protections as needed when risk of harm to self or others is present.

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

ARE YOU USING YOUR 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 program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information


AcqDemo Expanded Probationary Period for Supervisors and Managers: An additional supervisory probationary period of one year may be required when an employee is officially assigned to a different supervisory position.

This is an acquisition demonstration project position NH-03 equivalent to a GS-12 to GS-13.

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 most recent SF-50 noting position, grade, 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.

All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
Employe

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Employee must maintain current certifications.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed 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 announcement.

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.

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.

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.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The 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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

  1. Online Application: Questionnaire
  2. Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
  3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
  4. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.
  5. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
  • Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
  • Branch of Armed Forces
  • Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
  • Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
  • Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
  • Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
  • Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
  • Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

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

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/21/2025

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12691986

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

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

1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

  • It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.

2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Address
United States Space Force
1670 Space Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.


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


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