Senior Mental Health Counselor

Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-9 or higher grade in Federal Service. You may qualify at the GS-11 level if you fulfill the following qualification requirements: BASIC REQUIREMENTS A. Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in the behavioral or social sciences, or in a related discipline that included at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in the behavioral or social sciences. OR B. Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR C. Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE ABOVE BASIC EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, APPLICANTS MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had either specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown below. Education and experience may be combined to meet the total experience requirements. 1. The applicant must have completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree when it provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR 2. The applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience at the GS-9 level is experience which includes performing work to present psycho-educational modules to offenders/defendants with confirmed mental illnesses, perform other tasks that support the offenders/defendants’ mental and emotional stability, maintain accurate progress notes that detail offender/defendants’ observed behaviors, and monitor participation and progress in Center programs and activities. Specialized work also include work providing guidance, directions, consultation, and leadership to Mental Health Counselors and Substance Abuse Counselors. OR 3. Combination of Graduate Education and Professional Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. APPLICANTS MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Selective Placement Factor: This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your application package. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Applicant must possess current licensure or certification to practice independently in the social services field: Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR comparable certification in a social science discipline such as psychology or social work is required. MUST PROVIDE LICENSURES. Failure to upload appropriate documentation to your application will result in your application being withdrawn from the hiring process. Preferred Experience: – No less than one year of clinical experience providing clinical services. – Clear documentation of experience providing evidenced-based clinical practices (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for SUD, Motivational Interviewing, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, CPT, PE, etc.). – No less than one year of clinical experience providing substance use treatment and clinical services. 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). 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 position is located in the Reentry Sanctions Center (RSC), a 24-hour, 7-day per week Residential Facility. Shift Work is required to include weekends and overnight for this position. The incumbent conducts intakes, completes evaluations, facilitates evidence-based groups, and provides the full range of assessment and counseling services to offenders/defendants with behavioral health disorders.