Become a Leader in Veteran Care: Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director in Saint Louis

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is actively recruiting a compassionate, driven, and highly skilled Clinical Psychologist to fill a high-impact leadership role: Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director in Saint Louis, Missouri. Operating at the GS-14 level within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), this critical position serves as the clinical and administrative cornerstone for the Saint Louis Vet Center, providing vital readjustment counseling and support services to those who have served our country.

This role is designed for a licensed professional psychologist who excels not only in direct clinical care but also in programmatic oversight, strategic community outreach, fiscal planning, and clinical team leadership. Offering a competitive salary ranging from $150,424 to $195,558 per year, premium federal benefits, and eligibility for a student loan repayment program worth up to $200,000, this career path provides an unparalleled opportunity to make a profound difference while advancing your professional career in the civil service.

About the Agency: Readjustment Counseling Services (RCS)

The Vet Center program is a unique, community-based branch of the Veterans Health Administration's Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS). Rooted in the promise to care for those who have served in combat zones, survived military sexual trauma, or served in critical defense capacities, Vet Centers provide an welcoming, accessible environment separate from traditional VA medical centers.

Vet Centers are multidisciplinary environments offering rapid-response, holistic mental health services. These services include direct readjustment counseling, intensive community outreach, and active coordination with local healthcare systems. As a Vet Center Director, you will help lead RCS District 3 in fulfilling its noble mission of providing supportive, stigma-free counseling to Veterans, active duty service members, and their families.

Job Responsibilities

As the Psychology Program Manager and Vet Center Director, you will operate at the intersection of executive administration and advanced clinical practice. This is a multidisciplinary leadership role with direct oversight of all counseling operations, outreach, administrative systems, and community partnerships within your designated service area.

Clinical and Administrative Oversight

Supervision: Provide professional and administrative supervision to a multidisciplinary team of licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, family therapists, readjustment counselors, outreach staff, and administrative support personnel.
Program Planning: Establish, implement, and monitor Vet Center operational policies, setting strategic performance priorities and tracking staff clinical standards.
Fiscal Management: Manage the Vet Center’s operational budget, control allocation points, monitor fiscal spending, and coordinate annual resource reviews.
Community Representation: Act as the lead coordinator for stakeholder meetings, collaborating directly with community partners, military leaders, and congressional representatives.

Direct Clinical Services

Readjustment Counseling: Deliver face-to-face and virtual clinical counseling to eligible individuals presenting with complex trauma, post-traumatic stress, and transitioning concerns.
Specialized Assessment: Formulate multi-causational diagnoses and design treatment plans for clients experiencing complex readjustment struggles.

Clinical Focus Areas	Administrative Focus Areas
Individual & Group Therapy	Multi-disciplinary Staff Supervision
Multidimensional Diagnostics	Budget Planning & Annual Allocations
Direct Outreach & Crisis Response	Congressional Relations & Local Advocacy
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Guidance	Policy Implementation & Quality Control

Job Requirements and Qualifications

To be considered for this GS-14 Psychology Program Manager position, candidates must meet rigorous academic, clinical, and background standards.

Basic Requirements

Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed under strict VA policy when qualified citizens are unavailable.
Education: A doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited program recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).
Internship: Successful completion of a professional psychology internship training program accredited by the APA or CPA (or documented equivalent pathways for older degrees).
Licensure: Hold a current, active, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in any US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in both written and spoken English.

Grade-Specific Requirements (GS-14)

To qualify for this GS-14 performance level, candidates must demonstrate at least three years of professional experience as a clinical psychologist, with at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Candidates must prove proficiency in the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Demonstrated ability to coordinate workflow, delegate tasks, and meet complex organizational deadlines.
Expertise in guiding clinical staff in utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities.
Strong leadership capabilities in managing staff conflict and building diverse, cohesive clinical teams.
Ability to translate organizational milestones into structured clinical programs.

Salary Overview & Financial Incentives

The salary for this GS-14 role is highly competitive, starting at $150,424 and progressing up to $195,558 annually, depending on experience, credentials, and step determinations.

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

This vacancy is fully authorized for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which provides up to $200,000 in student loan repayment assistance. Qualified individuals may receive annual reimbursements over a one-to-five-year period to pay off their educational debt, making this one of the most financially rewarding opportunities in federal service.

Premium Federal Benefits

Joining the Department of Veterans Affairs brings a robust suite of federal benefits designed to support your work-life balance, long-term health, and retirement planning.

Paid Leave: Enjoy 13 to 26 days of annual vacation leave (accrual rates may be adjusted based on prior military or non-federal experience), 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
Parental Leave: Receive up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after your first year of federal employment.
Childcare Assistance: Full-time staff with eligible family income can qualify for a child care subsidy covering up to 25% of costs (up to $416.66 monthly).
Health Insurance: Select from a diverse array of federal medical, vision, dental, and life insurance plans, many of which can be carried directly into retirement.
Retirement Security: Participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.

Step-by-Step Application Guide & Tips

Applying for a federal psychology position requires close attention to detail and adherence to specific submission policies.

Essential Application Steps

Standard Clinical Resume: Download the mandatory standard Clinical Resume Document from the VA Careers site. This standard one-page form must be uploaded to the primary "Resume" slot in your USAJobs application without any modifications.
Comprehensive CV: Upload your complete, unrestricted curriculum vitae containing full career detail to the "Other" document upload slot.
Transcripts: Ensure you submit a transcript clearly showing the degree conferral date of your doctoral degree.
Licensure Document: Include a current copy of your active state clinical license.
Complete Questionnaire: Navigate through USA Staffing to complete the formal occupational questionnaire before the final deadline of July 23, 2026.

Crucial Application Tips

Verify Your Transcripts: Applications listing doctoral degrees without a listed conferral date are frequently disqualified during initial screening.
Do Not Group Dates: On your CV, clearly define the beginning and ending dates of your past roles (including month and year) to prove you meet the GS-13/GS-14 time-in-grade requirements.
Submit Early: Do not wait until the final hours on closing day. High volume can lead to upload delays, and late packages are never accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this job open to remote workers?

No. This Vet Center Director role is located in Saint Louis, Missouri. While ad-hoc telework may be allowed under exceptional circumstances, this is a local, on-site leadership position.

Q2: Can non-US citizens apply for this role?

Under VA guidelines, non-citizens are only considered when there are no qualified US citizens available for the position. All primary candidates must be US citizens.

Q3: What happens during the trial period?

As a condition of appointment, new employees serve a 1-to-2-year trial period where clinical performance, leadership capabilities, and conduct are evaluated to ensure they support the goals of the agency.

Q4: Are relocation benefits authorized?

No. Travel expenses, permanent change of station (PCS) reimbursements, and recruitment incentives are not authorized for this vacancy.

The Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director position in Saint Louis is more than a clinical job; it is a profound leadership calling. By stepping into this GS-14 role, you will lead a dedicated clinical team, manage crucial community networks, and ensure our nation's heroes receive the highest standard of readjustment counseling. Backed by competitive pay, up to $200k in student loan assistance, and comprehensive federal benefits, this role is the ideal next step for an accomplished clinical psychologist seeking a meaningful public service career.

Why This Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director Job Matters

Step into a premium federal leadership role as Vet Center Director in Saint Louis. Lead a dedicated team of mental health professionals, direct critical community outreach, and clinical programs for Veterans, all while enjoying a competitive GS-14 salary and up to $200,000 in student loan repayment (EDRP).

Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a highly qualified and compassionate licensed Psychologist to serve as the Psychology Program Manager and Vet Center Director in Saint Louis, Missouri. This GS-14 position operates under the Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS), delivering direct clinical counseling, supervising a multidisciplinary team of therapists and outreach workers, and overseeing administrative and fiscal operations. It is an exceptional career move for a clinical leader dedicated to supporting Veterans, active service members, and their families.

Requirements for Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director

United States Citizenship (Non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens are unavailable).
Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited graduate program (APA, PCSAS, or CPA) at the completion time.
Completion of a professional psychology internship accredited by the APA or CPA, or a documented equivalent.
Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in any US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English.
Minimum of three years of professional experience as a psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.
Pass a pre-employment physical examination and a urinalysis drug screen.
Consent to a background and security investigation.
Possess a REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification or driver's license by May 7, 2025.
Participate in the mandatory annual seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a 1-to-2-year initial trial period to evaluate fitness for continued federal service.

Preferred Qualifications for Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director

Prior experience leading and supervising multidisciplinary mental health clinical teams in a healthcare environment.
Proven track record managing programmatic budgets, resources, and fiscal controls.
Experience coordinating care and outreach initiatives with community partners, military entities, and local stakeholders.
Excellence in utilizing evidence-based treatment practices and clinical practice guidelines.
Strong conflict resolution skills and experience interfacing with executive stakeholders or congressional representatives.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student loan reimbursement up to $200,000 over a 1-to-5-year period.
✓Highly competitive GS-14 salary with standard step increases.
✓Generous paid leave allowance ranging from 37 to 50 days annually (including 13-26 days of annual leave, 13 sick days, and 11 paid federal holidays).
✓Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave after completing 12 months of service.
✓Childcare subsidy up to 25% of eligible costs (maximum of $416.66/month) for qualified families.
✓Traditional Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan with a 5-year vesting period.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k) equivalent with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
✓Robust federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance programs that can carry into retirement.

💡 How to Apply Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Psychology Program Manager - Vet Center Director Job

Go to the USAJobs system and locate the official vacancy listing.
Download the mandatory standard Clinical Resume Document from the VA Careers portal.
Upload the unmodified, one-page Clinical Resume Document to the standard 'Resume' upload field.
Upload your complete, unrestricted CV or detailed professional resume to the 'Other' document upload field.
Submit your formal academic transcripts displaying the exact date your doctoral degree was conferred.
Provide a copy of your active, unrestricted professional psychology state license.
Upload other supporting documents as applicable (such as DD-214, SF-50, or disability letters).
Complete the occupational questionnaire fully and submit the application package before July 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your academic transcript lists the specific date your doctoral degree was conferred. Missing this date can lead to an automatic disqualification.
Follow the resume formatting instructions carefully: put the standard one-page template in the 'Resume' section, and upload your full-length multi-page CV under 'Other'.
Carefully address the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed under the GS-14 grade criteria directly within your CV work history.
Provide clear, non-overlapping dates of employment on your resume, emphasizing professional experience equivalent to the GS-13 level for at least one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is relocation assistance or a sign-on bonus available for this position?

No, recruitment incentives and permanent change of station (PCS) relocation assistance are not authorized for this vacancy.

Can I work remotely or telework in this role?

This is a local, on-site leadership position in Saint Louis, Missouri. Ad-hoc telework may be authorized based on agency needs, but it is not a virtual or fully remote opportunity.

What is the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)?

The EDRP is a student loan payment reimbursement program. Qualified candidates can receive up to $200,000 over five years to pay down qualifying student loans, subject to program approval and review.

Do I need a specific license to apply?

Yes. You must hold a full, active, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in any US State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.