Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager)

To qualify for this GS-13 Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Manager) position, you must meet basic education, licensure, and experience requirements. Applicants pending completion of requirements may be referred but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.

• U.S. Citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens are not available per VA policy.
• Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program. Related fields include Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, and Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling.
• Full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, demonstrating advanced practice skills and judgment.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities: ability to make judgments and decisions associated with program management; ability to monitor program outcomes using data-driven quality assurance; ability to develop productivity standards; ability to manage many clinical, training, or administrative programs.
• Transcript must be submitted with application. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Traditional Rehabilitation counseling programs accredited by CACREP do not meet the LPMHC qualification standards.

Serve as Vet Center Director (VCD) responsible for professional and administrative supervision of readjustment counseling, outreach, referrals, and follow-up care coordination.

• Supervise a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals and nonprofessional staff across multiple locations (Vet Centers, outstations, community access points).
• Oversee fiscal, contractual, and operational obligations of the community-based Vet Center.
• Lead coordination and budgeting for outreach services, often in conjunction with Mobile Vet Centers.
• Ensure compliance with VA policies and procedures, including clinical documentation and quality assurance.
• Develop and implement productivity standards and monitor program outcomes using data-driven processes.
• Provide direct clinical services as needed, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of eligible individuals.
• Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to enhance access to care for veterans and their families.

Must be a U.S. Citizen.

• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete a 1- or 2-year trial period; continued employment depends on performance and agency needs.
• Must provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025).
• Must complete online onboarding process.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Complete federal benefits package including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.

• Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
• up to $200,000 student loan repayment, subject to VHA policy and application approval within four months of appointment.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service; prior work or military experience may qualify for credit toward leave accrual rate.
• Access to career development and training opportunities.
• Veterans' preference applies for eligible applicants.

Review the full announcement and required documents on the official application portal.

• To your the official application portal account (or create one) using Login.gov.
• Complete the online application and occupational questionnaire.
• Upload your federal resume, license, transcript, and any other required documents.
• Submit your application package before the closing date: 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/10/2026.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

• First area of consideration: current permanent RCS employees; second: current permanent VHA employees; third: current permanent VA employees; then all other qualified applicants.
• Telework is eligible on an ad hoc basis; this is not a remote position.
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.
• Physical requirements: The work does not inherently include physical requirements that cannot be accommodated; a pre-placement exam is not required.
• VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to visit VA for Vets for career tools.
• Contact VHA National Recruitment Center at (844)456-5208 or [email protected] with questions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a cabinet-level agency that provides essential services to U.S. Veterans, including healthcare, benefits, and memorial affairs. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, operating over 1,200 healthcare facilities. Readjustment Counseling Services (RCS) is a specialized program within VHA that offers readjustment counseling to combat veterans and their families through a network of Vet Centers. These community-based centers provide a range of mental health services, including individual and group counseling, outreach, and referral services.