Advance Your Career as a Supervisory Social Worker with the Defense Health Agency
Are you a dedicated clinical professional looking to take the next step in your career while serving those who serve our country? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently hiring a Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical) in Fort Richardson, Alaska. This is a unique opportunity to lead, innovate, and provide high-quality behavioral health care within an integrated military healthcare system.
Job Responsibilities
In this supervisory role, your days will be dynamic and impactful. Key duties include:
- Clinical Leadership: Provide expert bio-psychosocial evaluations and develop comprehensive care plans.
- Therapeutic Services: Facilitate both individual and group therapy sessions utilizing evidence-based modalities.
- Staff Supervision: Manage and provide technical oversight for professional and paraprofessional employees, including contract and military staff.
- Administrative Oversight: Identify training needs, organize team workflows, and ensure precise medical documentation.
Requirements
To qualify for this GS-13 level position, candidates must meet specific criteria:
- Education: A Master's degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school.
- Licensure: You must hold an active, unrestricted clinical license to practice independently in any U.S. jurisdiction.
- Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 federal level.
Qualifications Comparison Table
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a U.S. Citizen |
| Education | Master’s Degree (CSWE accredited) |
| License | Current Clinical License Required |
| Experience | 1 Year Specialized (GS-12 level) |
Salary Overview
This position offers a competitive salary range of $120,348 to $156,455 per year, commensurate with experience. Additionally, federal employees in Alaska are eligible for a 1.49% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), providing an extra boost to your compensation package.
Benefits
Employees of the DHA enjoy a robust federal benefits package:
- Comprehensive health and life insurance options.
- Retirement plans, including FERS and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
- Paid annual and sick leave.
- Opportunities for federal career advancement.
Application Tips
- Respect the Page Limit: Your resume must be two pages or less. This is a hard limit.
- Documentation is Key: Ensure your transcripts and state license are attached to your profile upon submission.
- Detail Your Work: When describing your experience, clearly list the employer name, dates (month/year), and hours worked per week.
This role is more than just a job; it is a commitment to the mental health and readiness of our military forces. If you meet the qualifications and are ready for a challenging and rewarding career in the beautiful setting of Alaska, we encourage you to apply before December 7, 2026.
Why This Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical) Job Matters
Advance your clinical career with the Defense Health Agency in the scenic landscape of Alaska, providing vital behavioral health leadership to our nation's service members.
Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical) Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency is seeking a dedicated Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical) to join our healthcare team in Fort Richardson, Alaska. This role is pivotal in delivering comprehensive behavioral health services to uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. As a supervisor, you will oversee clinical staff and manage specialized care programs, ensuring our mission to build health and readiness is met every day.
Requirements for Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical)
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Master's degree or higher in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license to practice social work independently.
- One year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent.
- Must pass a probationary period (1 year for regular duties, 1 year for supervisory duties).
- Must be able to provide transcripts and licensure documentation upon application.
Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical)
- Proven experience in clinical supervision of professional and paraprofessional staff.
- Extensive background in conducting comprehensive bio-psychosocial evaluations.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement individual and group therapy treatment plans.
- Experience working within a multi-disciplinary military or federal healthcare setting.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Federal healthcare and life insurance programs
- ✓Annual and sick leave accrual
- ✓Retirement benefits including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
- ✓Thrift Savings Plan (401k equivalent)
- ✓Potential for locality pay and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in Alaska
- ✓Professional development and training opportunities
💡 How to Apply Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical) Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Supervisory Social Worker (Clinical) Job
- Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
- Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less, detailing your relevant experience, hours worked per week, and dates of employment.
- Upload all required documentation, including clinical transcripts and a copy of your active state license.
- Complete the online questionnaire through the provided portal.
- Submit your complete application package before the closing date of December 7, 2026.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume to two pages or less; longer resumes will result in immediate disqualification.
- Be specific about your hours worked per week, as this is used to calculate your experience level.
- Ensure your transcripts are legible and clearly show the degree and accreditation.
- Double-check your uploaded documents before submitting; you cannot add documents after the deadline.
- Use clear, professional language and avoid excessive military acronyms that a human resources specialist might not recognize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is education substitution allowed for this position?
No, you must meet the qualification requirements using professional experience alone.
Can I apply if I do not live in Alaska?
Yes, but please note that the agency does not authorize Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs for this position.
What happens if my resume is over two pages?
Your application will be removed from consideration entirely.
Job from Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency is a vital component of the Department of Defense. We deliver medical, dental, and pharmacy programs to over 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. Our clinicians are the backbone of this mission, ensuring that health readiness is maintained globally.