SOCIAL WORKER (TITLE 5) Job in Springfield, IL

Vacancy No. IL-12939370-AF-26-192 Department Air National Guard Units
Salary $89,508.00 to $116,362.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/30/2026 Close Date 5/27/2027
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Springfield, IL


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a SOCIAL WORKER (TITLE 5), Position Description Number T59128P1 and is part of the IL 183 WG, National Guard.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

National Guard and reserves

Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.

Clarification from the agency

This is an open continuous announcement. Initial cutoff will be 12 JUNE 2026. Recruitment will continue through the announcement closing date until the position is filled.

Duties

As a SOCIAL WORKER (TITLE 5), GS-0185-12, you will:

  • Provide operational leadership consultation, direct client services, community capacity building, preventive, remedial and support services aimed at improving and sustaining the psychological health of Air National Guard (ANG) military members and their families.
  • Provide strategic planning and leadership to implement a comprehensive psychological health plan.
  • Participate in community activities to incorporate complex strategies that enhance community strengths, implement community problem-solving methods, and forge community connection so as to promote psychologically healthy lifestyles.
  • Conduct assessments, routine, and crisis evaluations, psycho-diagnostic assessments, provide short-term, evidence-based problem resolution strategies and services.
  • Provide on-site and telephonic access to psychological health assessments and individual consultation to facilitate coordination of clinical, counseling, and other services promoting the psychological health of members and their families.
  • Apply professional knowledge of principles, theories, procedures, and practices of social work to conduct needs assessments and/or intake evaluations on a routine and emergency basis.
  • Prepare written evaluation reports and yield diagnoses.
  • Accomplish clinical intake interviews with clients, to include family history, social history, developmental, and health histories.
  • Conduct social assessment that may include financial, adaptive, social functioning of family, social relationships and situations.
  • Assess individuals to explore the development of behavior patterns, mechanisms, and symptoms.
  • Perform risk assessments and determine degrees of danger posed by patients.
  • Screen records and personnel for security clearances and make administrative recommendations.
  • Apply multiple counseling techniques including individual, group, couples, family, supportive, crisis intervention, and behavioral interventions based upon accepted theories and principles.
  • Provide a wide range of counseling measures that are geared toward securing cognitive and behavioral adjustments by recognizing and resolving problems relating to the client's attitudes toward themselves, family, and associates.
  • Perform fitness for duty assessments, initiate physical profiles, recommends duty restrictions, conduct pre/post deployment clearings and deployment health assessment closeouts.
**This is NOT an all-inclusive list of duties.**

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • IAW The Fair Chance Act, Agency employees may not request criminal history information at the point of initial application, upon receipt of an application, or prior to, during or after a job interview. If an Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration of Employment is submitted prior to the point of a conditional offer, questions related to background information section may not be asked.
  • Master's in Social Work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education is highly desired. Other mental health degrees and training as identified in AFI 44-119 (Medical Quality Operations) are acceptable. Candidate must be a fully qualified Mental Health professional IAW AFI 44-119.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use.
  • 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.
  • Must be privileged for independent practice by the Credentials Committee at the employing Medical Treatment Facility.
  • A minimum of two (2) years within the past five (5) years in the independent practice of clinical social work is highly desired.
  • Position requires Basic Life Support (BLS) in accordance with local MDG policies. Must be obtained with 6 months of onboarding.
  • 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 may be identified as having "regular contact with children," requiring a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check to be completed on any person selected for the position.
  • Completion of appropriate clinical and administrative duties may involve "after hours" care or work in addition to regular duty hours.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain privileging for the DOD/AFMS/ANGMS IAW DHA PM 6025-13 Vol 4 and DAFMAN 44-119. Must maintain credentials requirements at all times (i.e. current and unrestricted state license, BLS, clinical competencies, etc.) IAW DHA PM 6025-13 Vol 4 and DAFMAN 44-119. 6/14/2022 TCPC Cramner.
  • May be required to successfully complete a trial period.

Qualifications

AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: The areas of consideration for this position, Title 5 Excepted Service, will be in the following manner and sequence:

  • The FIRST area of consideration for this position will be candidates who match through the Priority Placement Program (PPP).
  • The SECOND area of consideration will be Veterans' Preference (VP) eligible.
  • The THIRD area of consideration will be all excepted permanent and indefinite temporary technicians within the ILNG.
  • The FOURTH area of consideration will be all current Federal Employees.
  • The FIFTH area of consideration will be all Federal re-employment eligible.
  • The SIXTH area of consideration will be U.S. Citizens.


BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: MUST possess a master's degree, or higher doctorate degree, in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. (ONLY OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ARE ACCEPTED)

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE: MUST possess a valid and current professional 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. (License must be submitted at time of application.) MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF LICENSE

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-12 LEVEL - MUST have 24 months of experience in clinical social work assignments. Completion of the Air Force Social Work Internship Program may be substituted for 12 months of the specialized experience requirement. This experience demonstrates particular competencies of knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Knowledge of social work theories, principles, techniques, and resources. Must have specialized experience in professional social work that includes interviewing people to establish the nature and extent of their problems, helping them work-out plans for improving the situation, providing assistance and services, referring them to community resources and other organizations as indicated, and assisting them to understand and modify their own patterns of behavior when appropriate. Except as stated above, no other substitution of education for specialized experience is allowed.

Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must possess a master's degree, or higher doctorate degree, in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.(ONLY OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS ARE ACCEPTED)

License Requirement: You must possess a valid and current professional 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. (License must be submitted at time of application.)

Additional information

  • If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
  • If you are needing some extra information regarding Federal Resumes, you should consider these tips from USA Jobs: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.

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.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension

Required Documents

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Your resume that clearly demonstrates experience that meets the requirements of this position. Your resume must contain identifiable information such as your name, address, and phone number. It should also show your work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

Other supporting documents (as applicable):

  • Certifications
  • DD-214
  • SF-50
  • Official 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 http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Documents that support Veterans' Preference:
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • SF-15

Priority Placement Program (PPP): When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible participants should claim preference in the questionnaire. You must provide all the required documents in accordance with the PPP placement type you are claiming. To claim PPP, you cannot have obtained permanent Federal employment, nor accepted or declined another PPP job offer. Please review the Priority Placement Program handbook for further information: https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/sites/default/files/2021-09/PPP%20Handbook%20-%20Nov%202019.pdf

Documents to support Priority Placement Program (PPP):
If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.

Documents NOT accepted: photographs, copies of position descriptions, training certificates, performance ratings, awards, and letters of appreciation.

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

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12969370

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.


To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Jakob Little
Phone
217-757-1227
Email
jakob.little@us.af.mil
Address
IL 183 WG
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
Springfield, IL 62707-5000
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Air National Guard Units

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Since the earliest American colonial days, citizens have joined together for collective defense. We have a proud tradition of coming to the aid of our friends and neighbors in times of serious emergencies. Join our National Guard team and serve your nation, your states and your community!

Agency contact information

Jakob Little
Phone
217-757-1227
Email
jakob.little@us.af.mil
Address
IL 183 WG
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
Springfield, IL 62707-5000
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Air National Guard Units, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/