Lead Change: Become a Supervisory Social Worker for Homeless Veterans

Are you a dedicated social worker looking to transition into a leadership role that directly serves those who served our country? The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) at the Detroit Healthcare System is currently recruiting for a Supervisory Social Worker to head mental health and homeless care initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to shape service delivery, manage clinical staff, and drive policy for vital community-based programs.

Job Responsibilities

As the Mental Health Homeless Program Team Supervisor, your duties are both administrative and clinical:

Leadership: Supervise a diverse team of professional and support staff, set performance expectations, and manage scheduling.
Program Oversight: Lead initiatives such as Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV), Veteran Justice Outreach, and Grant Per Diem programs.
Compliance: Ensure all programs align with VA Central Office and Joint Commission standards.
Clinical Care: Maintain a clinical caseload while providing supervision to subordinates and trainees.
Community Advocacy: Represent the VA at local boards and task forces to improve housing outcomes for Veterans.

Comparison: Standard Social Work vs. Supervisory Social Work

Feature	Standard Social Worker	Supervisory Social Worker (GS-12)
Scope of Practice	Direct Patient Care	Clinical + Administrative Management
Personnel Duties	Individual Caseload	Staff supervision & performance review
Policy Development	Following SOPs	Creating & maintaining SOPs
Decision Making	Clinical judgment	Strategic & Fiscal decision making

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet several specific federal requirements:

Education: Master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited school of social work.
Licensure: Current, active license to practice independently at the master’s level.
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
English Proficiency: Must be fluent in written and spoken English.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive GS-12 salary range of $101,099 to $131,432 per year. Beyond the base pay, federal employees enjoy an industry-leading benefits package:

Leave: 37-50 days of paid time off per year (Annual, Sick, and Federal Holidays).
Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid leave.
Retirement: Federal pension plus a 401K-style Thrift Savings Plan with 5% matching.
Childcare: Subsidy programs available for those with family incomes below $144,000.

Application Tips

The Resume: The VA requires a specific clinical resume format. Download the standard document from the VA Careers website and ensure your experience is detailed in terms of hours worked per week and specific dates.
The SF-50: If you are a current federal employee, your SF-50 is mandatory. Failure to upload the most recent document will result in your disqualification.
Detail Matters: We cannot make assumptions about your experience. Use your resume to map your past experience directly to the required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed in the job description.

This position is more than just a job; it is a chance to advocate for the dignity of homeless Veterans. If you are a licensed social worker with a passion for leadership and community outreach, the Detroit VA is ready to help you take the next step in your federal career. Apply before the July 27, 2026, deadline to be considered.

Why This Supervisory Social Worker - Mental Health Homeless Care For Homeless Veterans Job Matters

Lead a mission-driven team and make a tangible impact on the lives of homeless Veterans in Detroit by stepping into this senior leadership role at the VA.

Supervisory Social Worker - Mental Health Homeless Care For Homeless Veterans Job Overview

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a dedicated Supervisory Social Worker to join the Mental Health Service in Detroit, Michigan. In this pivotal role, you will oversee comprehensive programs designed to support Veterans facing housing instability, including Homeless Veterans (HCHV), Community Resource and Referral centers, and Veteran Justice Outreach initiatives. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, manage program compliance, and provide high-level clinical oversight, all while upholding the VA's commitment to whole-health care for those who have served our nation.

Requirements for Supervisory Social Worker - Mental Health Homeless Care For Homeless Veterans

United States Citizenship.
Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Valid state-issued license to independently practice social work at the master's level.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Completion of a 1- or 2-year trial period.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Ability to perform light lifting and navigate various professional and community settings.

Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory Social Worker - Mental Health Homeless Care For Homeless Veterans

Clinical and Macro-level social work licensure.
Professional experience specifically within homeless service programs.
Proven experience with fiscal and budget management.
Prior supervisory experience within a VA clinical setting.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with regular performance-based increases.
✓Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and life insurance plans.
✓Traditional federal pension plan with 5-year vesting.
✓Federal 401k (TSP) with agency matching up to 5%.
✓Generous paid time off: 13-26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
✓Paid parental leave for eligible employees.
✓Childcare subsidies for qualified families.

💡 How to Apply Supervisory Social Worker - Mental Health Homeless Care For Homeless Veterans Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Supervisory Social Worker - Mental Health Homeless Care For Homeless Veterans Job

Log in or create a profile on the USAJobs portal.
Prepare your resume using the VA’s specified clinical template.
Upload all required documentation, including transcripts and your professional license.
Complete the occupational questionnaire.
Submit your full application package before the deadline on July 27, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Use the specific Clinical Resume template provided by the VA to avoid processing delays.
Clearly define your duties, start/end dates (month/year), and hours worked per week for every position listed.
Do not include personal information like photos, social security numbers, or age on your resume.
Ensure your current, active license is explicitly included in your application package.
Federal employees must submit their most recent SF-50 dated 01/11/2026 or later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of this role?

The role focuses on supervising social workers and managing mental health programs dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness among Veterans in the Detroit area.

Is telework available for this position?

Yes, ad-hoc telework may be authorized based on agency policy and supervisory approval, though this is not a fully remote position.

Is a doctorate required for this position?

*A: No, a master's degree in social work from an accredited school is the required qualification.*

Do I need a driver's license?

*A: Yes, because this role involves community work and partnering with agencies, a valid driver's license is required.*

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit is a world-class, 160-bed teaching hospital. As a Level 1B facility, the center provides comprehensive primary, secondary, and tertiary care to thousands of Veterans throughout Southeast Michigan. By joining the VHA, you become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to 'Whole Health' care—an approach that focuses on personal well-being, relationship-based healing, and integration back into the community.