Marriage And Family Therapist - Local Recovery Coordinator

Join the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), providing essential mental health services to Veterans and their families. We are hiring for both Full Performance (GS-11) and Advanced (GS-12) levels.

• *Core Responsibilities (Across Levels):**
• Conduct independent psychosocial assessments of Veterans and their family members.
• Provide counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, groups, couples, and families using family systems theory/therapy.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans, families, and colleagues.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and thorough clinical documentation.
• *Specific Responsibilities by Grade Level:**
• **GS-11 (Full Performance):**

* Deliver comprehensive therapy services to facilitate positive change. * Collaborate on treatment plans, addressing clinical, ethical, and legal issues. * May provide orientation, training, and clinical oversight to MFT graduate students or pre-licensure MFTs.

• **GS-12 (Advanced):**

* Provide specialized consultation for complex cases (individuals, families, couples) using evidence-based family systems theory/therapy. * Deliver crisis intervention, including assessment, safety planning, and complex treatment planning. * Offer systemic clinical supervision to unlicensed MFT staff/trainees towards licensure (AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential required for supervision roles). * May serve as the sole licensed mental health provider in certain clinic settings. * Develop and conduct behavioral health training curriculum for clinical staff. * Collaborate with inter-professional teams and leadership on program and Veteran/family issues.

• *Required Qualifications:**
• **Citizenship:** United States Citizenship.
• **English Language Proficiency:** Proficient in spoken and written English.
• **Licensure:** Hold a full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State.
• **Education:** Master's or Doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from a COAMFTE-approved program or regionally accredited institution, or a comparable mental health degree (e.g., Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, Psychiatry) meeting VA standards for that profession.
• **Experience & Additional Requirements by Grade:**

* **GS-11 (Full Performance):** * Minimum of one year of post-master's degree experience in marriage and family therapy. * *or* a doctoral degree in MFT or comparable mental health degree can substitute for one year of experience. * Must be licensed at the independent practice level. * **GS-12 (Advanced):** * Successfully completed evidence-based training in family therapy. * Graduated from a COAMFTE accredited program or passed the AMFTRE. * At least five years of post-licensed clinical experience in family systems therapy, including one year equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. * Experience must demonstrate use of an evidence-based family therapy model and progressive professional competency. * AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential required for assignments involving clinical supervision.

• *Preferred Experience:**
• Familiarity with working with Veterans, especially in Substance Abuse Recovery Programs.
• Skill in evidence-based practices.
• At least two years of specialized social work practice in mental health and substance abuse treatment.
• Post two years independent clinical license or advanced practice certification (e.g., ASWB advanced generalist or clinical examination).
• *Physical Requirements:**

Ability to perform light to moderate lifting, carrying, reaching, walking, standing, kneeling, with requirements for vision, hearing, and mental/emotional stability.