Advance Your Career as a Clinical Psychologist at Fort Wainwright

Are you a licensed psychologist driven to make a difference in the lives of those who protect our nation? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is looking for talented professionals to join our team at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. This is a unique opportunity to serve as a Clinical Psychologist within an integrated healthcare environment, focusing on the mental health and well-being of the Joint Force.

About the Defense Health Agency

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated combat support agency that enables the Department of Defense to achieve medical readiness. We provide comprehensive healthcare services—including medical, dental, and pharmacy programs—to over 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families worldwide. Joining our team means becoming part of a dedicated mission to improve health and support the heroes who serve our country.

Job Responsibilities

As a Clinical Psychologist in this role, your daily contributions will be critical to the success of our multidisciplinary mental health team. Key responsibilities include:

Diagnostic Evaluations: Conducting thorough assessments to identify mental health concerns and developing effective, evidence-based treatment plans.
Crisis Management: Assessing and managing acute and chronic mental health crises, including suicide risk and complex biopsychosocial conditions.
Therapeutic Services: Providing high-quality individual and group therapy sessions.
Collaborative Care: Working closely with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and command teams to coordinate safety planning and referrals.
Quality Assurance: Participating in clinical record reviews and evaluating outcome measures to ensure adherence to federal and state standards.
Professional Development: Educating and training staff on mental health best practices to enhance clinical outcomes.

Requirements and Qualifications

To ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care, candidates must meet specific requirements:

Requirement Type	Specification
Education	Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical psychology.
Experience	1 year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent.
Licensure	Current, active, valid, and unrestricted U.S. psychology license.
Citizenship	U.S. Citizenship is required.
Medical	Must pass a mandatory drug screening.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary range of $120,348 to $156,455 per year, depending on qualifications and location-based pay scales. In addition to base pay, employees in Alaska are currently entitled to a 1.49% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

Federal employees also enjoy a robust benefits package, including:

Health and life insurance options.
Federal pension contributions (FERS).
Paid vacation and sick leave.
Opportunities for professional training and growth.

Application Tips for Success

Applying for a federal position requires precision. Follow these tips to ensure your application stands out:

Respect the Resume Limit: Your federal resume must be exactly two pages or less. Submissions exceeding this limit will not be considered.
Be Detailed: For each role on your resume, include the employer name, your job title, start/end dates (month and year), and the number of hours worked per week.
Use Plain Language: Avoid industry jargon and acronyms that might confuse the human resources reviewer.
Don't Forget Documentation: You must attach your official transcripts and a copy of your current, active psychology license to your application package.

Serving as a Clinical Psychologist at Fort Wainwright offers more than just a job; it offers the chance to support the mission of the Department of Defense in a stunning Alaskan setting. If you meet the qualifications and are ready to advance your career, prepare your documents and submit your application today.

Why This Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job Matters

Make a lasting impact on the mental health and readiness of our military service members at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job Overview

The Defense Health Agency is seeking a dedicated Clinical Psychologist to join our team at Fort Wainwright. In this role, you will provide vital psychological care, diagnostic assessments, and evidence-based therapy to an adult population of uniformed personnel, retirees, and their families. This is a unique opportunity to apply your expertise within a multidisciplinary clinical setting while supporting the overall readiness and well-being of the Joint Force in the heart of Alaska.

Requirements for Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health)

U.S. Citizenship.
Completion of a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical psychology.
Current, active, valid, and unrestricted license to practice psychology independently in a U.S. state, D.C., or U.S. territory.
One year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent in performing behavioral health assessments, testing, and therapy.
Ability to pass a mandatory drug screening.
Completion of a 1-year probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications for Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health)

Experience managing complex biopsychosocial conditions in a clinical setting.
Strong proficiency in evidence-based individual and group therapy modalities.
Proven track record in quality assurance and clinical outcome monitoring.
Experience working within military health or large integrated medical systems.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay.
✓Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Alaska-based federal employees.
✓Access to comprehensive federal health and life insurance plans.
✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
✓Opportunities for professional development and staff training.
✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.

💡 How to Apply Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health) Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Review the full announcement and prepare your federal resume (strictly limited to two pages).
Complete the online application questionnaire.
Upload required documentation, including your Doctoral transcripts and current professional license.
Ensure all contact information and employment history details (including hours worked per week) are clearly documented.
Submit your complete application package before the closing date of November 30, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume to two pages or less; longer resumes will be automatically excluded.
Be specific about your specialized experience; include dates, employer names, and hours worked per week for each role.
Submit transcripts and license copies early to ensure they pass the system virus scan.
Avoid using unexplained acronyms; use plain language to describe your clinical achievements.
Verify that your application status is updated in your dashboard after submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is education substitution allowed for the experience requirement?

No. For this specific position, you must meet the specialized experience requirement through work history; education cannot be substituted for the required year of professional experience.

What is the role of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)?

Federal employees stationed in Alaska currently receive a 1.49% COLA in addition to their base salary to assist with the higher costs associated with living in the region.

Are there recruitment incentives available?

Yes, recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates at the agency's discretion.

Is relocation assistance provided?

*A: While permanent change of station (PCS) costs are not authorized, recruitment or relocation incentives may be available for highly qualified candidates.*

How often is this position filled?

*A: This is a direct-hire solicitation with multiple openings. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.*