Advance Your Career as a Social Worker with VA Puget Sound

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Puget Sound Health Care System is seeking a compassionate and skilled Social Worker to support our Veterans. If you are looking for a career that combines clinical excellence with a profound sense of purpose, this HUD-VASH position in Tacoma offers the opportunity to provide vital housing and supportive services to those who have sacrificed for our nation.

Job Responsibilities

As a HUD-VASH Social Worker, you will perform essential duties to help Veterans achieve residential and personal stability:

Conduct outreach and case finding to identify Veterans in need.
Perform comprehensive psychosocial assessments and mental health screenings.
Provide evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions (individual, family, and group).
Develop and implement interdisciplinary treatment plans.
Coordinate community-based services and provide complex crisis intervention.

Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must meet the following criteria:

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school.
Possession of an active, unrestricted independent social work license.
Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
Compliance with all onboarding, physical, and background requirements.

Salary and Grade Comparison

Grade Level	Experience/Licensure Requirement
GS-9	Basic education/licensure requirements met.
GS-11	1 year post-MSW experience + independent license.

Benefits

Education: Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).
Time Off: 13–26 days of annual leave and 13 sick days annually.
Health: Extensive federal health, vision, and dental insurance options.
Retirement: Federal pension and 401K matching contributions.
Work-Life: Paid parental leave and child care subsidy options.

Application Tips

Use the Template: Always use the official VA Clinical Resume Document.
Be Specific: Include job duties, dates of employment (month/year), and hours worked per week for every entry.
Stay Current: Ensure your license and education documents are clearly uploaded.
Review: Double-check your application for omissions, as the agency cannot make assumptions about your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is this a remote position? A: No, this is an onsite position located in the Puget Sound region.

Q: What if I have a criminal record? A: The VA follows the Fair Chance to Compete Act and does not request criminal history information prior to a tentative job offer.

Join a team where your expertise directly transforms the lives of Veterans. With competitive pay, robust federal benefits, and the chance to engage in meaningful social work, the VA Puget Sound Health Care System is an exceptional place to grow your career.

Why This Social Worker (Chos) Job Matters

Make a lasting impact on the lives of those who served. Join the VA Puget Sound team as a Social Worker and help our Veterans secure housing and achieve independence through our HUD-VASH program.

Social Worker (Chos) Job Overview

The VA Puget Sound Health Care System is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to join the Community Housing and Outreach Services (CHOS) team. This role is pivotal in providing clinical case management and outreach within the HUD-VASH program. You will work in a complex, interdisciplinary environment, delivering evidence-based psychotherapy, psychosocial assessments, and crisis intervention to Veterans in the Tacoma region. If you are passionate about whole-health care and supporting our nation's heroes, this is your opportunity to contribute to a premier healthcare organization.

Requirements for Social Worker (Chos)

U.S. Citizenship
Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program
Active, full, and unrestricted state-level independent license for social work
Proficiency in spoken and written English
Valid state driver's license for government vehicle use
Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination
Registration with the Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959
Commitment to annual seasonal influenza vaccination or authorized exemption

Preferred Qualifications for Social Worker (Chos)

Minimum of one year post-MSW clinical experience equivalent to GS-9 level
Prior experience in health care or social work-related settings
Doctoral degree in social work may substitute for one year of required experience
Demonstrated ability to perform complex psychosocial assessments and implement independent treatment modalities

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility up to $200,000
✓Comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, and life insurance
✓Generous paid time off: 13-26 days annual leave plus 13 days sick leave
✓11 paid Federal holidays per year
✓Federal 401K retirement plan with matching and traditional pension
✓Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months
✓Child care subsidy for eligible employees

💡 How to Apply Social Worker (Chos) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Social Worker (Chos) Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Review the full vacancy requirements and prepare your resume using the standard VA Clinical Resume template.
Complete the online occupational questionnaire.
Upload required documents, including your transcript, license, and SF-50 (if applicable).
Submit your application package via the online portal before the deadline.

💡 General Tips

Use the provided VA Clinical Resume template to ensure your experience is formatted correctly.
Be detailed: List duties, start/end dates (month/year), and hours per week for every position.
Ensure your resume explicitly supports your answers to the questionnaire.
Verify your license or certification status matches the grade level you are applying for.
Apply well before the deadline to account for any technical issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is relocation assistance available?

No, this position does not offer recruitment incentives or permanent change of station (relocation) assistance.

Can I apply if I am not yet licensed?

Licensure is required for GS-11. For GS-9, some exceptions exist for those pending state examination prerequisites, but you must actively pursue licensure to remain in the position.

What is the HUD-VASH program?

It is a collaborative program between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the VA to provide permanent supportive housing and case management services for homeless Veterans.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The VA Puget Sound Health Care System is a Level 1a teaching healthcare facility, recognized as one of the most complex in the nation. We offer a full range of medical, psychiatric, and rehabilitation services. Our core values—Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (I CARE)—guide every action we take to serve our Veterans, their families, and caregivers.