Advance Your Career as a Senior Social Worker with the VA in White City, OR

Are you a dedicated social worker looking to make a transformative impact on the lives of those who have served our nation? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently hiring a Senior Social Worker for the Veterans Health Administration in White City, Oregon. This position offers not just a competitive salary, but the opportunity to work in an environment where your clinical expertise directly improves the recovery and well-being of our Veterans.

Job Responsibilities

As a Senior Social Worker, your duties are multifaceted and critical to the success of our residential treatment programs. Key responsibilities include:

Psychosocial Assessment: Independently conducting thorough assessments to determine the needs of our Veterans.
Recovery-Oriented Treatment: Implementing the recovery model of care, developing treatment plans, and monitoring progress against established goals.
Coordination of Care: Managing discharge planning and community service referrals to ensure seamless transitions for Veterans.
Group and Individual Therapy: Providing significant clinical hours through group sessions and personalized one-on-one counseling.
Crisis Intervention: Identifying high-risk patients and providing immediate stabilization services.

Comparison of Benefits: Private Sector vs. VA

Feature	VA Social Worker	Typical Private Sector
Loan Repayment	EDRP (Up to $200k)	Rare
Pension	Included (5yr Vesting)	Typically 401k only
Paid Time Off	37-50 Days	15-25 Days
Job Security	Federal Standards	Performance-based

Requirements

Candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered for this GS-12 position:

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen.
Education: A Master’s Degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school.
Licensure: State-level license or certification to practice independently at the master’s level.
Health: Passing a pre-employment physical and meeting immunization requirements, including seasonal flu vaccines.

Salary and Benefits

This role is compensated within the range of $104,372 to $135,686 annually. Beyond the paycheck, the VA provides an unmatched benefits package, including federal health insurance, a robust retirement plan, and eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

If you are an experienced, licensed clinical social worker with a passion for serving Veterans, we encourage you to apply. This role offers the professional development, financial stability, and personal fulfillment of serving those who have given so much to our country. Submit your application through the official portal before the September 14, 2026 deadline.

Why This Senior Social Worker Job Matters

Advance your clinical career while directly supporting the men and women who served our nation as a Senior Social Worker with the VA in White City, Oregon.

Senior Social Worker Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a dedicated Senior Social Worker to join the Veterans Health Administration in White City, Oregon. This vital role focuses on providing comprehensive, recovery-oriented psychosocial support, treatment coordination, and crisis intervention for Veterans. As a Senior Social Worker, you will operate within a multidisciplinary team, utilizing your advanced practice skills to develop treatment plans, facilitate group sessions, and ensure that Veterans receive the highest quality of compassionate whole-health care throughout their residential treatment programs.

Requirements for Senior Social Worker

Must be a United States Citizen.
Must possess a Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Must hold a state license or certification to practice social work independently at the master’s level.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background investigation.
Must be registered with the Selective Service if male and born after 12/31/1959.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is mandatory.

Preferred Qualifications for Senior Social Worker

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex programs and multidisciplinary teams.
Advanced skills in writing policies, procedures, and practice guidelines.
Proven competency in crisis intervention and psychosocial assessment.
Expertise in navigating VA benefits and community-based support services.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility (up to $200,000).
✓37-50 days of paid time off per year including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
✓Comprehensive federal health, vision, dental, and life insurance programs.
✓Traditional federal pension plan with 5-year vesting.
✓Federal 401K (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching.
✓Paid parental leave for up to 12 weeks.
✓Childcare subsidy options for eligible families.

💡 How to Apply Senior Social Worker Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Senior Social Worker Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Prepare your resume and supporting documentation such as transcripts and license verification.
Complete the online questionnaire as prompted.
Submit your full application package before the closing date.
Monitor your status via the USAJOBS dashboard for confirmation and status updates.

💡 General Tips

Be specific in your resume—do not leave room for assumptions about your experience level.
Ensure your license status is clearly documented and active.
Double-check that all required documents, including SF-50s if you are a current federal employee, are uploaded correctly.
Apply early to avoid technical issues as the deadline approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this position eligible for remote or telework?

No, this is an onsite position located in White City, Oregon, and does not support remote or telework arrangements.

What is the Education Debt Reduction Program?

The EDRP is a VA-specific program that provides student loan reimbursement for qualifying employees, offering up to $200,000 toward eligible student loans.

Can I apply if I am not currently licensed?

The position generally requires licensure for the GS-12 level. Please review the vacancy announcement carefully for specific exceptions or requirements regarding the timeline for licensure attainment.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States. Providing comprehensive care to millions of Veterans, the VHA is committed to President Lincoln’s promise: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." By joining the VHA, you become part of a mission-driven team dedicated to compassionate, whole-health care.