Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is
in this document.
Basic Requirement for Social Worker (Substance Abuse):
Degree: Master's degree (or higher degree) in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Minimum Qualifications for the GS-09:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes performing triage mental status evaluations; providing practical, short-term counseling services; preparing written case histories; and maintaining client files.. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).
OR
Education GS-9: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Combination of Experience and Education GS-09: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
Minimum Qualifications for GS-11:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes assisting with clinical assessment of substance abuse patients, assisting with formulating treatment plans or discharge plans, and assisting with providing counseling to substance abuse patients.
OR
Education GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Social Work.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience GS-11: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
Minimum Qualifications for GS-12
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service which includes conducting clinical assessments of substance abuse patients; carrying full professional responsibility for cases presenting a wide range of psycho-social and environmental problems; formulating behavioral health treatment plans; and providing professional counseling to substance abuse patients.
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For the GS-12, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Licensure/Certification: This position requires a current, active, valid, unrestricted clinical license to practice Social Work independently, offered by a U.S. State, District of Columbia, commonwealth, territory or jurisdiction.