Marriage and Family Therapist (Deputy District Director)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities Selected employee must be located within 50 miles of a VA facility within the District 5 catchment area and have space available for assignment. Specifically areas of New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California, Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana & parts of Oregon. The Deputy District Director is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment in placing into operation all VA, VHA and RCS policies and guidance. Because the Deputy District Director has major management and developmental responsibilities for a highly innovative program, the individual must exercise considerable independent judgment to determine the most effective means of completing assignments and responding to management needs as they arise. Service Chiefs have responsibility for staffing, work assignments, budget, services provided, program criteria, day-to-day program operations, and all reporting requirements.The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Formulates and implements major operating policies and plans for effective governance of an organized and interdependent but decentralized readjustment counseling service delivery system. Understands and effectively solves extremely complicated and multifaceted issues that arise from providing quality readjustment counseling services across an area with differing local Veteran population needs. Develops annual business plans supporting long- and short-range strategies, including planning for appropriate staffing and funding requirements for Vet Centers and any required creation of new facilities or relocation of existing facilities to better serve eligible Veterans, Service members, and their families. Allocates and adjusts resources, to include personnel, equipment, and funding, within the area of responsibility insuring adequate support for all operating initiatives. Develops and executes budgets which are based on effective controls and realistic projections. Identifies and communicates a clear strategy and vision to their respective Vet Centers consistent with their RCS District Director strategic plan and VA, VHA, RCS Policy and Guidance. Achieves objectives in quality of readjustment counseling services and programs for their respective Vet Centers, as evaluated by internal indicators (both standardized measures and those created by the incumbent), oversight protocols, and client satisfaction feedback. Develops an effective management team and with their respective Vet Center Team Leaders by advising, counseling, and evaluating performance. Ensures that their readjustment counseling and support service goals are attained through effective organizational structures, human resource policies, staffing and funding levels, partnership relationships and outcome measurement. Encourages employee training and development opportunities, including mentoring and succession planning, consistent with diversity goals. Fosters a smooth functioning, efficient organization through proactive management; timely resolution of problems; and personal competence, flexibility, and willingness to manage corporate change. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm; May be required to work some evenings and weekends to meet Veteran needs Telework: Maybe authorized per supervisor approval Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 27583A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA MFT are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(10), as amended by section 239 of Public Law 114- 223, enacted Sept 29, 2016. To qualify for appointment as an MFT in VHA, all applicants must: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g, this part.) b. Education: Candidates must meet one of the following: (1) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program approved by COAMFTE, (2) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a MFT program from a regionally accredited institution, OR, (3) Hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in a comparable mental health degree (Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, and Psychiatry) that meets the current VA qualification standard of that profession c. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to MFT positions in the GS-0182 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State. d. English Language Proficiency: Marriage and Family Therapist must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Preferred Experience: Experience leading geographically dispersed, multi-site healthcare or behavioral health operations, supervising managers and interdisciplinary teams; managing workforce qualify and operational performance; implementing improvement and strategic initiatives in complex healthcare organization; use data to drive organizational performance. Experience in serving veterans or working within VA is preferred Grade Determinations: Marriage and Family Therapist Program Manager Leader, GS-14 (Care Line Manager/VISN/National) In addition to the basic requirements above for employment, the following criteria must be met: Experience: one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience at the GS-13 grade level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. The MFT Program Manager must have graduated from a COAMFTE approved program OR have passed the AMFTRB examination. The MFT Program Manager must have at least five years of post-licensed clinical experience in family systems theory/therapy and must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise. The MFT Program Manager must have an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to meeting the KSAs for GS-14 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Advanced knowledge and skill in management/administration of multidisciplinary mental health programs at complex facilities and/or across multiple sites which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. 2. Demonstrated global knowledge of the practice of marriage and family therapy to develop, maintain, and oversee programs in all settings. 3. Ability to provide consultation on policy implementation, qualification standards, counseling practice, and competency with medical center director, VISN, or national program managers that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. 4. Advanced knowledge of evidence-based practices and mental health practice guidelines in multiple professional areas, and the ability to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing appropriate treatment interventions. 5. Ability to influence high level officials in adoption of, and conformance to, performance measures, monitors, and other policy guidelines 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. Physical Requirements: Due to the widespread geographical area of responsibility, the position requires a commitment of at least fifty percent travel. The position requires that the incumbent must possess a valid driver's license. Completing of his/her supervisory and oversight functions involves driving long distances between Vet Centers and other VA or community partner facilities. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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 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.