Supervisory Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Deputy District Director)

Full Job Description

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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/05/2026. BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

The basic requirements for employment as a LPMHC are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. §7402(b)(11). To qualify for appointment as a LPMHC 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 VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). b. Education.

Hold a master's or doctoral degree in: Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; or a related field, from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Examples of related mental health counseling fields include, but are not limited to Addiction Counseling; Community Counseling; Gerontology Counseling; Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling.

CACREP defines the date when graduates are considered to have graduated from a CACREP accredited program. Additional information may be obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/.

NOTE: Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs that are accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards as Traditional Rehabilitation counseling differs from Clinical Rehabilitation counseling.

c. Licensure.

Persons hired or reassigned to LPMHC positions in the GS-0183 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment.

NOTE: It is VHA policy that a LPMHC who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.

d. English Language Proficiency. LPMHCs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.j.

Preferred Experience: Evidence of strategic planning, program operations, policy development, data analysis, and program/project implementation.

Three or more years of Readjustment Counseling Service Vet Center experience at the Vet Center Director level and above (Vet Center Director level and higher).

Demonstrated clinical supervisory experience in a mental health setting.

Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Care Line Manager/VISN/National), GS-14 - Program Manager Leadership Assignment In addition to the basic requirements above for employment, the following criteria must be met: Experience: candidates must have at least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.

They must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-13 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 mental health counseling practice 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. Major Duties:

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: Ad hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Deputy District Director)/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Hired employee will need to currently live with permanent residence, within one of the states falling under the 10RCS North Atlantic District 1, to include Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, or North Carolina, or willing to relocate.