Advance Your Social Work Career with the Alaska VA

Are you a dedicated clinical social worker looking for an impactful career in a unique setting? The Alaska VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting for a Senior Social Worker (PACT/PCMHI) based in the beautiful community of Soldotna, Alaska. This position offers not only a competitive salary but the rare opportunity to provide critical mental health and social support services to the Veterans who have dedicated their lives to our country.

Job Responsibilities

In this 100% clinical role, you will be a vital member of the primary care outpatient clinic. Your daily duties will include:

Psychosocial Assessments: Evaluating patient strengths, coping mechanisms, and needs to develop collaborative treatment plans.
Crisis Intervention: Providing immediate support for high-risk patients and acting as a liaison for families.
Therapeutic Services: Conducting individual and group therapy sessions using evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working alongside various clinical teams to ensure comprehensive care and treatment continuity.

Requirements

To be considered for this GS-12 position, applicants must meet specific federal criteria:

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Education: A Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Licensure: Must hold a current, active license to practice social work independently at the master’s level in any U.S. state.
Experience: At least two years of specialized post-licensure clinical experience.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a robust compensation package designed to support both your professional and personal life.

Benefit Category	Details
Salary Range	$107,301 – $139,494 per year
Leave	13-26 days annual leave + 13 sick days
Retirement	Federal pension + 401(k) with 5% match
Student Loans	EDRP reimbursement up to $200,000

Application Tips

Applying for a federal position requires attention to detail. Use the official VA clinical resume template to ensure your application meets the specific formatting requirements of the agency. Be sure to highlight your specific clinical interventions and demonstrate how your experience meets the GS-12 requirements. Do not wait until the final day to submit your documents.

If you are a clinical professional driven by the desire to serve Veterans, the Alaska VA Healthcare System is the perfect place to grow your career. With excellent pay, a supportive work environment, and the beauty of Alaska at your doorstep, this role provides an unmatched work-life experience. Apply today to secure your future in federal service.

Why This Senior Social Worker (Pact/Pcmhi) Job Matters

Make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who served by joining the Alaska VA Healthcare System in Soldotna as a Senior Social Worker.

Senior Social Worker (Pact/Pcmhi) Job Overview

The Alaska VA Healthcare System is seeking a dedicated Senior Social Worker for its PACT/PCMHI team in Soldotna. This is a vital clinical role where you will provide specialized psychosocial interventions, crisis management, and evidence-based therapeutic services to Veterans. Operating within an interdisciplinary environment, you will play a key role in whole-health patient care, treatment planning, and community resource coordination, helping to ensure the highest standards of mental health and social support for our nation's heroes.

Requirements for Senior Social Worker (Pact/Pcmhi)

U.S. Citizenship status.
Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Current, active state license or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s level.
Minimum of two years of post-licensure clinical experience.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Completion of a pre-employment physical and background security investigation.
Compliance with annual influenza vaccination requirements.
Registration with Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Social Worker (Pact/Pcmhi)

Experience in specialized clinical settings or mental health outpatient programs.
Demonstrated ability to perform advanced psychotherapy, including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy.
History of providing clinical supervision or mentorship to students and colleagues.
Proven experience in developing system-wide policies or psychosocial treatment guidelines.
Certification from a nationally recognized social work professional organization.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive salary with potential for increases based on qualifications.
✓Generous paid time off: 13-26 days of annual leave, 13 sick days, and 11 paid federal holidays.
✓Federal pension plan and 401(k) retirement savings with up to 5% agency matching.
✓Access to comprehensive federal health, dental, vision, and life insurance programs.
✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility up to $200,000.
✓Paid parental leave after 12 months of service.
✓Childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees.

💡 How to Apply Senior Social Worker (Pact/Pcmhi) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Senior Social Worker (Pact/Pcmhi) Job

Log in or create an account on the USAJobs portal.
Download the clinical resume template provided by the VA.
Complete the online occupational questionnaire.
Upload required documents: Clinical resume, SF-50 (if applicable), state license, and transcripts.
Submit your full application package before the closing date of September 30, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Be specific in your resume about your clinical duties to ensure all experience is credited.
Ensure your state license is active and clearly documented.
Use the standard VA clinical resume document to prevent technical submission issues.
Double-check that all supporting documents are uploaded before clicking submit.
Monitor your email for status notifications after the vacancy closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position eligible for loan repayment?

Yes, this role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which provides student loan reimbursement up to $200,000 for qualifying applicants.

What is the work schedule for this position?

The position follows a standard schedule of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Is relocation assistance offered?

No, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation assistance is not authorized for this position.

Is relocation assistance provided?

*A: No, relocation benefits are not authorized for this specific vacancy.*

Can I use a foreign degree?

*A: Yes, provided you include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript confirming its U.S. accreditation standard.*

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to providing comprehensive, whole-health care to our nation’s heroes. The Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS) serves Veterans across the entire state. Working for the VA means becoming part of an "I CARE" culture that values Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. As a member of our team, you gain access to a wide range of professional growth opportunities within one of the largest healthcare networks in the United States.