For a full Duration of Appointment CLICK HERE . ” >
Job Title: Foreign Service Social Worker – Limited Non Career
Department: Department Of State
Agency: Department of State – Agency Wide
Job Announcement Number: SWLNA-2015-0002 SALARY RANGE: $82,350.00
to
$120,934.00
/ Per Year OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, September 1, 2015 to
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 SERIES & GRADE: FP-0185-02 POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time –
Limited Non-Career Appointment PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 02 DUTY LOCATIONS: MANY vacancies –
Washington DC, DC View Map
WHO MAY APPLY: All potential applicants are strongly urged to read this entire Vacancy Announcement to ensure that they meet all of the requirements for this position before applying.
Applicants must be United States Citizens and at least 20 years old to apply. They must be at least 21 years of age to be appointed.
For a full Duration of Appointment CLICK HERE . SECURITY CLEARANCE: Top Secret SUPERVISORY STATUS: Yes JOB SUMMARY:
About the Agency
LIMITED NON CAREER SOCIAL WORKERS
The Office of Medical Services in the Department of State maintains and promotes the health of employees and their accompanying family members who represent United States government agencies abroad. The Department assigns Foreign Service Medical Officers, Medical Officers/Psychiatrists, Medical Providers, Social Workers, and Laboratory Scientists to selected posts overseas. Many of these posts have significant health risks and local medical care that is inadequate by U.S. standards. The incumbent of this position serves as a Social Worker on the Mental Health Programs staff and as a resident professional counselor providing services for employees at Foreign Service posts. The Social Worker will have multifaceted responsibilities in the embassy which will include but are not limited to the following: assessments of psychiatric problems, including substance abuse; Post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, job stress counseling, cross-cultural adjustment issues counseling, crisis management consultation on troubled employees, conflict mediation/resolution, consultation on violence in the workplace, and crisis management training for employees assigned to hardship posts.
For a detailed Summary CLICK HERE
Key Requirements
All applicants, in order to be considered for selection, must:
Be U.S. citizens.
Be at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 to be appointed.
Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
Be able to obtain an appropriate medical clearance for country of assignment.
Be able to transfer post at any given time based on the needs of the service, provided that the appropriate clearances can be secured.
Be able to obtain a Suitability Clearance following a review by a Suitability Review Panel of the candidate’s record for conduct in accordance with suitability standards defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more details see http://www.careers.state.gov or http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam .
Applicants must also be able to obtain a country-specific authorization and be eligible for diplomatic or administrative and technical privileges and immunities in the country of assignment. KEY REQUIREMENTS DUTIES:
Serves as a psychiatric Social Worker for posts such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan. Provides crisis intervention, problem assessment, and brief counseling for employees under Chief of Mission authority. Coordinates efforts with Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist.
Provides crisis management training for employees. Provides supportive counseling and debriefings to employees.
Coordinates service provision with the Office of Medical Services’ Family Liaison Office, Office of Casualty Assistance, Regional Bureaus, and Human Resources.
Serves as technical expert on troubled employees and provides clinical guidance to post management on sensitive situations such as interpersonal relations on the job, job stress, violence in the workplace, medical illness, medical disability, and family problems.
Mediates job performance issues and disputes between employees and supervisors. When indicated, coordinates resources within the State Department to provide further assistance.
Advises and counsels employees of the possible administrative consequences of activities adversely affecting job performance caused by personal problems. Refers such employees for consultations with the appropriate office responsible for effecting disciplinary actions and explaining appeal processes and rights.
Maintains liaison and provides expert assistance to specialists responsible for the administration of other specific employee programs including, but not limited to, disciplinary actions, leave administration, reasonable accommodations, conduct/suitability, disability retirement, and career development.
Participates as a Family Advocacy Team member reviewing and giving advice and counsel on cases of spouse abuse.
Provides support services, including hospital/home visits as needed to patients.
Facilitates support groups in the workplace for employees with cancer, employees dealing with elderly relatives, single parents, and other groups, as requested.
Designs, facilitates, and conducts appropriate training activities, such as orientation for employees under Chief of Mission authority, Community Liaison Officer training, and supervisory training. Works with managers on an ongoing basis to develop leadership skills.
Develops educational outreach programs to ensure an awareness of the benefits of Mental Health Services. Offers outreach in the form of videos, workshops, panel discussions, and health fair presentations. Maintains handout literature and a lending library on mental health, stress management, parenting, aging, and other issues of interest to employees.
Performs other duties as requested by M/MED and M/MED/MHS.
Performs all duties with scrupulous regard for confidentiality and with the goal of assisting employees to maintain effective work performance. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS (KSAOs):
Education, work experience and other qualifications are evaluated for evidence of the following knowledge, skills, abilities and other requirements that have been identified as important to successful job performance as a Limited Non-Career Social Worker. Not all of these attributes need to be met by a candidate; the attributes will be used as a set to evaluate candidates.
Knowledge of human behavior, adjustment, and psychological disorders and the differential influences of the society, culture, and environment.
Knowledge of the theories, principles, and techniques of clinical social work, including such areas as crisis and trauma interventions, cognitive behavioral interventions, and family systems therapy.
Knowledge of mental health diagnoses and disabilities, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses and injuries.
Knowledge of psychosocial treatments in working with individuals and groups who are experiencing a variety of stress, psychiatric, medical, family, and social problems.
Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and how to coordinate services.
Skill in independently interviewing, assessing, and diagnosing the nature and severity of psychological and social problems presented by employees.
Skill in independently formulating a treatment plan and assistance needed.
Skill in counseling employees and groups who may be disturbed, distraught, or angry, and also to assist supervisors and others to work effectively with them.
Skill in independently providing psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds.
Skill in responding to crises by using independent judgment and problem solving in crisis intervention techniques.
Skill in providing guidance to management in dealing with crises.
Skill in providing consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care.
Skill in assisting employees and management in finding flexible options and solutions for difficult personnel problems.
Skill in functioning well within a complex organization. Skill in applying systems theory and working tactfully and cooperatively at all levels in order to provide effective consultation to supervisors and employees.
Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking.
Experience in working in high-stress environments.
Prior military experience or experience with other U.S. agencies working abroad would be valuable but not essential. Also, general skills are required in:
Active listening, social perceptiveness and interpersonal ability, good judgment and decision making, critical thinking, service orientation, good time management, strong reading comprehension, persuasion and negotiation, solving complex problems, learning strategies and the ability to teach.
Superior oral and written communication skills: In order to pass the thorough and competitive Foreign Service assessment process, successful applicants must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity and succinctness). Those who fall short of this standard will have little chance of passing through the Foreign Service’s highly competitive assessment process. Other desirable attributes include empathetic personality, unflappable, self-confidence, ability to maintain confidentiality, interest in Foreign Service work, loyalty to the United States, accepting of non-scheduled work hours, mobile, ability to handle stress, tolerant of travel, and tolerant of living away from family.
Qualifications:
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance, obtain an appropriate Medical Clearance, be found suitable by a Department of State Foreign Service Suitability Review Panel, and be eligible for diplomatic privileges and immunities in the country of assignment.
Applicants will also be asked to submit their work history for the last 10 years or since they left university whichever is the shorter period.
Requirements
Master’s in Social Work ( MSW) 5 years specialized experience
In addition to the general requirements for employment in the Foreign Service, an applicant must have an M.S.W. (Master’s in Social Work) from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in clinical psychiatry, earned within the last 10 years. Applicants must possess the highest level of independent clinical licensure for professional Social Work practice level (LICSW, CSW, LCSW, etc.) in any State.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal job requirements for this position if the applicant provides a Foreign Evaluation Report, certifying that the foreign education is comparable to education received in the United States. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. To view how foreign education is evaluated for federal jobs, please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp .
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Note: Candidates must be able to obtain medical, security and suitability clearances. Clearances may include a review of specific factors of an employee’s appropriateness for assignment to a specific post including existing ties to that country.
ORIENTATION/TRAINING/ASSIGNMENT:
After initial training in Washington, D.C. and orientation at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Virginia, assignments will be to U.S. embassies and consulates for a period of 12 months duration depending on the needs of the Service. While Limited Non-Career appointments can be for up to five years, initial appointments cover the training period plus the initial tour of duty. Appointments may be extended periodically based on satisfactory performance and the needs of the Foreign Service. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
How Candidates Will Be Evaluated:
Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. Selection for this position will be made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
To preview questions please click here .
BENEFITS:
You can review our benefits at:
http://careers.state.gov/work/opportunities/vacancy-announcements/social-worker#benefits
OTHER INFORMATION: Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees may not be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.
It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all of its employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether that discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.
The Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department of State at ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov within one week of receiving their invitation. Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
HOW TO APPLY: To apply, applicants must first register on USAJOBS at www.usajobs.gov and create an online federal resume. Your online resume must be typed or you may cut and paste an existing resume into the space provided. Once you have completed the registration process, select the “Apply Online” button to the right of the vacancy. This button will transfer you to Gateway to State. Please note that the deadline to submit completed applications is 9/16/2015.
Follow the “Apply Online” instructions at Gateway to State by answering self-assessment questions for the specific job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided at USAJOBS and the answers to the Gateway to State questions will become your application. Your registration, resume, and responses to questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this job. In addition, you may need to fax or upload some information to complete your application package.
Please note: Your application is automatically saved as you proceed through it. You may interrupt your application process and return to it until you submit it.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) (Washington, D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process and supply the required documentation outlined in this vacancy announcement. Application packages MUST be complete and received by the closing date to receive consideration.
Due to the volume of applications, fax lines can become jammed and documents may not successfully attach to your application on the final days/hours of the application announcement. It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify that required documents have been successfully attached to the application prior to the closing time. Applicants can do so by going back into your application and verifying that documents have been attached. Applications received without required documents will be deemed ineligible. You are encouraged to submit your application early, and to go back into your application to confirm that your documents have been attached.
If you are having technical difficulty with the application process, please contact the helpdesk by calling 1-866-656-6830 or by emailing mgshelp@monster.com . The help desk is open weekdays from 7am to 7pm ET (Washington, D.C. time.)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: As part of the online application, applicants must submit the following required documents:
1. A Completed Online Questionnaire. (Gateway to State online application via USAJobs).
2. Copy of your State Clinical license.
3. Supplementary Questionnaire:
Purpose:
Instructions: Individually address each of the numbered items listed below, limiting responses to 2,000 characters or less for each item. Describe how you have used these abilities and/or knowledge, referencing the source from which the experience was acquired. Your examples can be drawn from any part of your experience but they must describe things that you, personally, have done. You should compose your replies carefully, as one of the skills required is the ability to write clearly and concisely.
Clinical skills: Describe a specific complex clinical case which demonstrates your skills in diagnosing and treating patient mental health problems.
Crisis management skills: Describe an example in which your skills significantly contributed to the positive outcome of a complex or difficult clinical crisis situation.
Organizational skills: Describe a specific achievement demonstrating your planning and organizational skills in the setting of a multidisciplinary mental health team or practice.
Leadership and teamwork skills: Discuss your abilities to participate as a team member working toward a common goal, as well as examples of your ability to lead a team in the accomplishment of a goal.
Public speaking and teaching skills: Describe specific examples demonstrating your public speaking and teaching abilities as part of an assignment or work-related task. A Narrative Autobiography (two-to-three page typed equivalent – no more than 5,000 characters) which addresses any new elements not raised earlier in your application about your:
personal background;
work experience;
personal interests, travel; and/or
motivation for applying to this position. The request for the narrative autobiography is included inside the online application.
4. Veterans Preference Documentation: If prior military service, please include your certificate of release or discharge from Active Duty (DD-214). For additional details on how Veteran’s Preference is applied in the Foreign Service Selection Process, please click here.
http://careers.state.gov/faqs/faqs-wiki/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference-
5. College Transcripts:
All applicants must upload or fax a copy of their college transcripts in the initial application. These documents must be provided by 11:59 p.m. Washington, D. C. time. on the closing date of this announcement. Please keep a copy of all faxed material.
If faxing, you will be prompted to print out a fax coversheet once you have successfully completed your application. It is essential that you use this system generated coversheet for all faxes, because it is bar-coded to link your fax to your application. Without the required transcript, your application may be voided.
Note: For those uploading documents please remember that multiple pages must be sent as a single document. Only the most recently uploaded documents will attach to your application. The most recently uploaded document will replace previously uploaded documents.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO: Consultant
Phone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: SOCWInfo@state.gov
Agency Information:
U.S. Department of State
2401 E Street, NW
SA-1 – Room L-216
Attn: MED PERSONNEL
Washington, DC,
DC
20522
US
Fax: 000-000-0000 WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: The Department of State will be hiring a limited number of candidates. Please note that the average processing time for an application is seven to nine months, including the completion of the medical, security, and suitability clearances.
Once an applicant completes and submits an application, the status will appear as “referred” by USAJobs and your application is forwarded to the U.S. Department of State. Shortly after the vacancy announcement’s closing date, all “referred” applicants will be notified via e-mail from the U.S. Department of State of the status of their applications. Please note that the “referred” status on USAJobs will not be updated at any time throughout the entire evaluation process. It is common for several months to pass before the evaluation panels complete a full review of an applicant’s file. Due to the high volume of Foreign Service Specialist applicants and the thorough evaluation process, we ask all applicants to remain patient and await communication. We recommend adding the U.S. Department of State email domain (@state.gov) as an approved sender. Selected candidates will be notified of an oral assessment date and time at the Department of State, in Washington, D.C. Any potential scheduling conflicts can be handled at that time.
Selected candidates: Please note all travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the oral assessment are the responsibility of the candidate.
Orientation/Training/Assignment:
Limited Non-Career Social Workers are required to attend a three-week orientation in Washington, D.C. followed by onward training, including a two-day security seminar.
Location:
Individuals must be willing to serve worldwide, primarily high threat locations. Limited Non-Career Social Workers are presently serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan.
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