Social Work Program Manager Job

Vacancy No. CBTG-12732148-25-RCG Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $126,424.00 to $164,351.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/2/2025 Close Date 5/12/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Lexington, KYLouisville, KYJohnson City, TNMemphis, TN


Summary

The incumbent of this position will serve as the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) Centralized Screening Team (CST) Manager to the VA Mid-South Healthcare Network VISN 9, reporting to the Deputy Chief Mental Health Officer. They will review, plan and coordinate the delivery of RRTP screening practices across this network of five facilities to achieve VISN 9's mission.




This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Duties

The VISN Manager will serve as the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) Centralized Screening Team Manager. This position has principle responsibility within the network for coordinating the full range of clinical and administrative activities associated with all VA Mid-South Healthcare Network's Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs screening processes.

Duties for the position may include but are not limited to:

  • Provide program oversite and coordination for RRTP screening, multiple clinical communities of practice, and specialty services as their license and expertise allow.
  • Provide a high degree of specialized clinical leadership for the VISN Mental Health Integrated Clinical Community and the facilities. Will be recognized as subject matter expert and lead consultant for a wide range of RRTP related activities.
  • Guide, direct, support, and oversee the operational and strategic activities for the program.
  • Coordinate screening operations across all the network sites of care, prompting high reliability systems, program efficacy and efficiency, and assuring screening practices operate in a consistent and transparent manner.
  • May act for the Deputy Chief Mental Health Officer (DCMHO) or Chief Mental Health Office (CMHO) in any matters delegated, which may include the Suicide Prevention and Homeless Programs.
  • May be called upon to assist as a program planner and developer. In this role they must be able to coordinate and synthesize from not only all the varied VA staff, but local and state agency officials with whom the VISN and the Medical Centers will interact.
  • Support Veteran access and care coordination for RRTPs as a VISN resource. This may include accessing patient medical records for purposes of record reviews, assessment of care plans, acting as a clinical lead for coordinating referral and screenings for VISN 9 RRTPs, and collaborating with Veterans Transportation Service managers to reduce access barriers.
  • Establishing action plans at the VISN level and monitoring facility level action plans with measurable objectives and goals.
  • Provides support to facility RRTP stakeholders by analyzing, evaluating, and advising on operations for assigned programs.
  • May serve in positions of leadership at the national level, including membership on National Field Advisory Boards and other consultative roles with VHA Central Office. This involves reviewing existing programs for adequacy and recommending or initiating changes for improvement or realigning priorities within available resources.
  • May serve at large in a variety of additional capacities such as committee memberships, accreditation readiness, investigations, personnel matters, and other one-time or recurring special projects, as assigned by VISN leadership.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency
Compressed/Flexible: Available at supervisory discretion
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Remote: No
Functional Statement #: 10135-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • 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.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Experience and Education:
One year of experience equivalent to the GS- 13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Individual may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of
study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

Licensure/Certification:
Individuals assigned as social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
(a) Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
(b) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and
controlled work operations.
(c) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and
implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.
(d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals
and enhance patient centered care.
(e) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include
responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations;
selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and
when appropriate, disciplinary action.
(f) Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund
controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and
equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
(g) Skill in developing policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program
and in participating in national program development.
(h) Ability to collaborate with internal VHA partners, locally and on a national level, as
well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance patient
centered care.

Assignment:
For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the GS-14 grade level, social worker program managers are assigned to manage, direct, and oversee a major specialty program(s) at the facility, VISN or VA Central Office level. As the facility level program manager, typical assignments include serving as a care/product line
manager. Program managers may have responsibility for staffing, work assignments, budget, services provided, program criteria, day-to-day program operations, and all reporting requirements. Additionally, program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments, determined by the needs of the local facility. The program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. They develop and monitor staff compliance with practice, standards and guidelines.
As the VISN level program manager, typical assignments include overseeing a VISN level program. The program manager serves as consultant to facilities in matters of program operations. They develop and monitor facility compliance with practice, standards, and guidelines across the VISN. The program manager reviews program status with facility leadership. Additionally, program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments, determined by the needs of the VISN. The VISN program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized
programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. As the national level program manager, typical assignments include supporting implementation of a national program. The national program manager reports to senior executive service equivalent or GS-15 grade level national program director. They may have responsibility for staffing, work assignments, budget, services provided, day-to-day program operations, and all reporting requirements. Program
manager responsibilities also include developing and serving as a subject matter expert for program specific policy and regulations and interface with congressional representatives. Program managers at this grade generally have collateral assignments determined by the needs of VHA Central Office. The national program manager provides analysis and evaluation of program data and computerized
programs to identify system-wide trends and needs to enhance the quality of service. They develop and monitor staff compliance with program standards, guidelines, and service delivery. They develop and implement national training programs for internal and external partners. Program managers are responsible for ensuring program development, management, and evaluation that includes assessing the mission, goals, and programs of the organization in terms of psychosocial needs of Veterans,
their families, and caregivers and establishing objectives consistent with organizational goals.

Preferred Experience:
Management of a program or team within a Mental Health service; experience working in residential mental health program; experience with program development and implementation; experience with interfacility consults.

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-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14

Physical Requirements:
The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.

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.

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



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 (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

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 05/12/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12732148.

  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

Ryan Gurley
Address
VHA VISN 9 Human Resources
1801 WEST END AVENUE
SUITE 600
NASHVILLE, TN 37023-2570
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.

Additional Locations

  • Murfreesboro, TN
  • Nashville, TN


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