Social Worker (Mental Health Consultant) Opportunities at Lackland AFB

Are you an experienced clinical social worker passionate about delivering high-impact behavioral healthcare to service members and military families? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is actively seeking licensed clinical social workers to join the medical team at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. As a Social Worker (Mental Health Consultant) at the GS-12 grade level, you will serve as an integral clinical asset inside primary care clinics, bridging the gap between general medicine and mental health.

This continuous direct-hire recruitment initiative provides qualified clinicians a rewarding pathway into federal service. Operating within Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, you will collaborate directly with primary care physicians, deliver brief evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and lead psychoeducational programs designed to build resilience across the military community.

---

About the Agency: Defense Health Agency (DHA)

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated combat support agency that enables the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force in peacetime and wartime. Serving over 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families worldwide, the DHA fosters an environment of clinical excellence, cutting-edge healthcare delivery, and collaborative care.

At Lackland Air Force Base's MTF Wilford Hall, healthcare professionals work in modern, well-equipped environments focused on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Joining the DHA means becoming part of an interprofessional network dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of those who defend our nation.

---

Key Job Responsibilities & Clinical Duties

As a Mental Health Consultant operating within a Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model, your daily duties will extend beyond traditional long-term outpatient therapy. You will provide timely, targeted interventions to patients during routine primary care visits.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Comprehensive Biopsychosocial Evaluations: Conduct rapid, focused assessments to evaluate psychological, behavioral, and social factors impacting physical health and emotional well-being.
• Evidence-Based Interventions: Deliver short-term individual and group therapeutic treatments utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and short-term problem-solving approaches.
• Interprofessional Consultation: Provide medical providers and clinic personnel with timely, concise feedback regarding referred patients, suggesting actionable clinical management plans.
• Psychoeducational Instruction: Formulate and facilitate educational classes targeting high-frequency diagnoses encountered in primary care, such as insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, and stress management.
• EHR Documentation: Maintain thorough, accurate clinical documentation within the military electronic health record system during patient encounters.
• Emergency & Contingency Response: Perform duties as a Mission Essential and Inclement Weather Essential employee, maintaining continuity of patient care during severe weather or emergency scenarios.

---

Qualification and Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this GS-12 position under Direct Hire Authority (DHA), candidates must meet both general federal eligibility rules and specific professional credentials.

Mandatory Qualifications:

1. U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must provide proof of United States citizenship.
2. Education: A Master’s degree (or higher) in Social Work granted by a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). (Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a recognized U.S. credentialing organization).
3. Independent Clinical Licensure: Candidates must hold an active, valid, current, and unrestricted independent clinical social work license (e.g., LCSW, LICSW) issued by a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
4. Specialized Experience: At least one full year (52 weeks) of post-licensure clinical experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in federal service. Qualifying experience must include conducting clinical assessments, delivering individual/group therapy, and working inside multidisciplinary teams.
5. No Education Substitution: Unlike lower grade levels, education cannot be substituted for work experience at the GS-12 level.
6. Strict Resume Page Limit: Your resume must not exceed two pages. Resumes longer than two pages are automatically disqualified.

---

Salary Overview & Position Comparison

This position is classified under the Federal General Schedule (GS) system at the GS-12 grade level. Total compensation includes base pay plus the San Antonio locality pay adjustment.

• Annual Pay Range: $90,823 – $118,072 per year.
• Pay Rate Interval: Per Annum (PA).
• Appointment Type: Permanent, Full-Time.

Position Comparison: GS-11 vs. GS-12 Mental Health Consultant

To help you understand how this opportunity compares to standard federal social work roles, review the matrix below:

Feature / Requirement	Standard GS-11 Social Worker	GS-12 Mental Health Consultant (This Role)
Primary Work Setting	Outpatient Mental Health / Specialty Care	Integrated Primary Care Clinic / PCBH Model
Licensure Requirement	Supervised or Independent License	Active, Unrestricted Independent Clinical License
Education Substitution	Allowed (Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree)	Not Allowed (Experience alone required)
Min. Specialized Experience	Entry-level or supervised clinical practice	1 Year GS-11 equivalent independent practice
Resume Requirement	Standard federal format	Strict maximum of 2 pages
Starting Salary Range	~$75,000 - $97,000 / year	$90,823 - $118,072 / year

---

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Federal employment with the Defense Health Agency offers an exceptionally strong compensation and benefits package designed to support work-life balance and long-term financial security:

• Healthcare Coverage: Select from dozens of high-quality health plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, with significant government premium contributions.
• Retirement System: Dual-tier retirement benefits including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching.
• Paid Time Off: Earn 13 to 26 days of paid annual leave per year (based on service computation), 13 days of paid sick leave annually, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Incentives: Recruitment or relocation financial incentives may be authorized for qualified candidates.
• Leave Crediting: Non-federal clinical work experience may be credited to increase your initial annual leave accrual rate.
• Insurance Add-ons: Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI).

---

Application Guide & Key Tips

Applying for a federal position under a Direct Hire Authority continuous announcement requires attention to detail. Follow these steps to maximize your rating:

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Prepare Your Resume: Draft a concise resume detailing your specialized clinical experience. Verify that it does not exceed two pages.
2. Gather Required Supporting Documents:
   • Copy of your official or unofficial MSW transcripts showing CSWE accreditation.
   • Copy of your active, unrestricted independent clinical license.
   • Optional: Most recent performance appraisal, cover letter.
3. Access USAJobs: Navigate to the official announcement link and click Apply.
4. Complete the Assessment Questionnaire: Answer all screening questions accurately regarding your credentials and clinical background.
5. Submit & Confirm: Review your uploaded documents and complete the submission prior to December 31, 2026.

Essential Resume Tips:

• Include detailed employment records for each employer: job title, company name, start/end dates (MM/YYYY), and hours worked per week.
• Avoid clinical acronyms; explicitly describe tasks such as assessment, crisis management, and consultation.
• Double-check that all uploaded files clear virus scanning and remain attached to your active profile.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Direct Hire Authority (DHA)? A: Direct Hire Authority enables federal agencies to hire qualified candidates directly without going through competitive ranking procedures, accelerating the hiring process for critical roles.

Q: Is telework or remote work available for this position? A: No. This role requires on-site clinical support at Lackland Air Force Base to deliver direct patient care inside primary care clinics.

Q: What happens if my clinical license is from a state other than Texas? A: As a federal healthcare professional, you may practice at military installations nationwide as long as you maintain a current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license from any U.S. state, territory, or District of Columbia.

Q: Are relocation expenses (PCS) paid by the government? A: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are not authorized. However, relocation or recruitment incentives may be approved on an individual basis.

---

Serving as a Social Worker (Mental Health Consultant) with the Defense Health Agency at Lackland Air Force Base offers a meaningful career path combining clinical autonomy, direct patient impact, and federal career stability. If you hold an MSW and an independent clinical license, step forward to support our nation's armed forces. Ensure your resume meets the two-page requirement and submit your application package today!