Advance Your Career as a Clinical Social Worker in Oak Harbor
Are you a licensed clinical social worker looking for a career that combines high-level clinical practice with a noble mission? The Defense Health Agency is currently hiring a Social Worker for the Naval Health Clinic in Oak Harbor, Washington. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to serve those who have served our country by managing and delivering specialized behavioral health and substance use disorder services.
Job Responsibilities
As a Clinical Social Worker at the Naval Health Clinic, you will serve as a key member of the Directorate of Behavioral Health. Your primary responsibilities include:
- Program Management: Overseeing an outpatient substance use disorder assessment and treatment program.
- Clinical Care: Conducting interviews and gathering collateral information to assess psychological, cognitive, and emotional status.
- Treatment Planning: Developing individualized behavioral health treatment plans and making referrals to specialized care as necessary.
- Leadership: Providing supervision and work assignments for counseling staff, including civilian, contractor, and military personnel.
Comparison of Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Master's degree (or higher) in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program |
| Licensure | Current, active, unrestricted clinical license to practice independently |
| Experience | 1+ year of specialized work in substance use disorder diagnosis/treatment |
| Security | Must be able to obtain/maintain a Secret Clearance |
Requirements and Qualifications
This position requires a candidate who is both clinically sound and capable of navigating a military environment. You must possess a Master’s degree in Social Work and a valid, unrestricted clinical license. Additionally, your professional background must demonstrate specific proficiency in substance use disorder counseling and treatment plan development. Please note that for this specific opening, education cannot be substituted for the required professional experience.
Salary and Benefits
This position offers a highly competitive salary range of $100,602 to $130,786 per year, reflecting the specialized nature of the clinical work and the locality of the position. In addition to base pay, federal employees are eligible for a robust benefits package, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement program through the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and paid federal holidays. Depending on the candidate, relocation incentives or advanced leave accrual may be authorized.
Application Tips
To ensure your application is successful, keep these pointers in mind:
- Respect the Limits: Your resume must be two pages or less. Even minor formatting issues can lead to disqualification.
- Be Detailed: Ensure every job entry includes dates of employment (month/year), hours worked per week, and a specific description of your tasks as they relate to substance use disorder treatment.
- Verify Your Documents: You must attach a copy of your clinical license and your graduate transcripts. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
This position represents a unique blend of clinical leadership and community impact. If you are a social worker looking for a role that challenges you professionally while supporting the military community, we encourage you to apply by the closing date of June 30, 2026. Your skills are vital to the health and readiness of the Joint Force.
Why This Social Worker Job Matters
Make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who serve—join the Defense Health Agency as a clinical Social Worker in Oak Harbor.
Social Worker Job Overview
The Naval Health Clinic in Oak Harbor, Washington, is seeking a dedicated Social Worker to join the Directorate of Behavioral Health. This role centers on providing high-quality care through a comprehensive outpatient substance use disorder treatment program. You will play a pivotal role in diagnosing disorders, developing effective treatment plans, and leading clinical counseling efforts. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply your clinical expertise in a supportive, mission-driven military environment, ensuring that active-duty service members receive the behavioral health resources they need.
Requirements for Social Worker
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Master's degree or higher in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school.
- Possession of a current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license to practice social work independently in any U.S. state or territory.
- Minimum of one year of specialized experience in substance use disorder diagnosis, clinical counseling, and treatment planning.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
- Must pass a drug screening.
- Completion of a one-year probationary period.
Preferred Qualifications for Social Worker
- Proven experience in clinical supervision of professional, paraprofessional, or military counseling staff.
- Advanced skills in psychological and cognitive assessments for patients with co-occurring behavioral health conditions.
- Ability to effectively coordinate care plans with multidisciplinary medical teams.
- Strong communication skills for gathering collateral information and collaborating with external healthcare institutions.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay.
- ✓Comprehensive health and life insurance options.
- ✓Federal retirement savings plan (Thrift Savings Plan).
- ✓Potential for advanced leave accrual for highly qualified candidates.
- ✓Potential for recruitment or relocation incentives for select candidates.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development within the Defense Health Agency.
💡 How to Apply Social Worker Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Social Worker Job
- Log into your USAJOBS account or create a new profile.
- Prepare your resume, ensuring it is two pages or less and contains all required details (dates, hours per week, employer names).
- Complete the mandatory online assessment questionnaire.
- Upload all necessary supporting documents, including your clinical license and academic transcripts.
- Review your application package for completeness and accuracy before submitting.
- Monitor your status via the USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume strictly to two pages or less to ensure it is not disqualified.
- Clearly highlight your substance use disorder experience in your work history.
- Use plain language and avoid internal organizational acronyms.
- Ensure your license and transcripts are clearly attached; failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
- Submit your application well before the deadline to account for potential technical delays during virus scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Secret security clearance required?
Yes, this position requires a Secret security clearance and is classified as Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS) with Moderate Risk.
Can I use education to substitute for the specialized experience?
No, for this specific position, applicants must meet the qualification requirements using professional experience alone.
What is the page limit for the resume?
Resumes must be no longer than two pages. Exceeding this limit will result in your application being removed from consideration.
Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is the backbone of healthcare for the Department of Defense. Operating as an integrated health system, the DHA provides comprehensive medical, dental, and pharmacy services to millions of service members, retirees, and their families. Working here means being part of a team dedicated to medical readiness and world-class care anytime, anywhere.