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Posted: April 8, 2026 (0 days ago)

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SOCIAL WORKER

Air Force District of Washington

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$102,415 - $133,142

per year

Closes

GS-11 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a social worker in Air Force units, providing counseling and support to help service members and their families build resilience, manage stress, and improve overall performance in a military setting.

You'll collaborate with a team of experts to offer mental health services, assessments, and referrals right within operational squadrons.

It's a great fit for licensed social workers with experience in clinical mental health care and an understanding of military life who thrive in high-stakes, team-oriented environments.

Key Requirements

  • Master's degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, with transcripts required
  • At least one year of specialized experience at GS-11 level or equivalent, including applying social work principles in clinical or occupational settings
  • Knowledge of evidence-based treatments for psychiatric disorders and use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for evaluations
  • Understanding of military organizations, culture, and unique operational stressors
  • Experience in administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological and psycho-social assessments
  • Skills in behavioral risk management, including identifying risks of harm and coordinating protections
  • Ability to provide consultation to military leaders and refer to community resources like protective services or financial aid

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide a full range of professional social work services within operational Air Force squadrons as a member of a multidisciplinary Integrated Operational Support team directly supporting the Line of the Air Force with the goal of building resiliency, enhancing human performance, and improving unit mission effectiveness.

Conditions of Employment Continued: This is a Key position.

The duties of this position meets all requirements as a category 4 designation and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal ...

Cont'dAgency or office to function effectively.

This position must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CANNOT become a member of the Ready Reserve (IAW: DoDD 1200.7, "Screening the Ready Reserve).

This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program.

Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing.

Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, Social Work Series 0185 + IOR.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Degree: Social Work.

Must fulfill all of the requirements for the master's degree in social work in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes: Providing professional knowledge of social work practices, principles, theories, and administrative requirements to be able to apply them in a clinical or occupational setting.

Using knowledge of evidence-based treatments for a full range of psychiatric disorders to plan and provide treatment to patients.

Applying knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association to evaluate psychiatric disorders and apply professional diagnostic skills.

Providing knowledge of military organizations and culture and the unique stressors upon workers in an operational military workplace.

Exercising knowledge of administration, scoring, and interpretation of select psychological and psycho-social measures to properly assess patient's and family's needs.

Using an understanding of behavioral risk management and ability to engage appropriate protections when risk of harm to self or others is present Providing guidance and consultation services to medical professionals, military leaders, and facilitate referrals to military or community-based human service agencies and resources, i.e., Protective Services or financial aid organizations.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Professional knowledge of social work practices, principles, theories, and administrative requirements to be able to apply them in a clinical or occupational setting. 2.

Professional knowledge of evidence-based treatments for a full range of psychiatric disorders to plan and provide treatment to patients. 3.

Knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association to evaluate psychiatric disorders and apply professional diagnostic skills. 4.

Knowledge of military organizations and culture and the unique stressors upon workers in an operational military workplace. 5.

Knowledge of administration, scoring, and interpretation of select psychological and psycho-social measures to properly assess patient's and family's needs.

Sophisticated understanding of behavioral risk management and ability to engage appropriate protections as needed when risk of harm to self or others is present. 6.

Ability to provide guidance and consultation services to medical professionals and military leaders, and facilitate referrals to military or community-based human service agencies and resources (e.g., Protective Services or financial aid organizations).

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

Observes and participates in squadron activities in order to identify psychosocial stressors and barriers to optimal human performance.

Develops and implements initiatives to mitigate psychosocial stressors and risks and optimize airmen performance.

Provides psychological consultation, education, and training to military commanders/senior leaders, other mental health professionals, and medical staff.

Conducts psychodiagnostic assessments and provides evidence-based psychotherapy.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 4/8/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/9/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 8N-AFPC-12932501-234478-CMI