Social Worker Assistant Chief

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker Assistant Chief in the Veterans Health Administration based in Sheridan, Wyoming. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT will remain open until August 3rd 2026. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be February 13th 2026. 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 and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Noncitizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Have a masters degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masters degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). GS 13 Social Worker Assistant Chief Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience One year of experience equivalent to the GS12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment. Individual may have certification or other postmasters 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 Licensure. The assistant service chief must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Knowledge Skills and Abilities In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions clinical supervision consultation negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. Knowledge of legal ethical and professional standards applicable to social work practice. Ability to develop maintain and oversee social work programs in all settings. Knowledge of social work practice policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership managers and other staff on social work qualification standards practice competency productivity and continuing education requirements. Preferred Experience: The candidate must possess evidenced supervisory and management skills be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and be qualified to provide supervision for licensure. Proficiency in personnel actions clinical supervision consultation negotiation with other departments and quality improvement is essential. Strong understanding of the legal ethical and professional standards related to social work practice. Program Development Oversight: Ability to develop maintain and manage social work programs in various settings. Deep knowledge of social work practice policy and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care. Competence in providing consultation to facility leadership managers and other staff on social work qualification standards practice competency productivity and continuing education requirements. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position provides direct services to patients and their families through casework. Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain corrective lenses permitted) keen hearing clear distinctive speech and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (1544 pounds). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium dementia or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent 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. The incumbent may be required to travel and operate a Government vehicle and maintain a valid license.

What’s on Offer

The role offers excellent opportunities for top performers to further develop their competencies as a social worker and improving the lives of people.