Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager)

To qualify for this GS-13 Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager) position, you must meet basic requirements including U.S. Citizenship, a qualifying master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a comparable mental health field, and a full, current, unrestricted MFT license. Additionally, you need at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-12, five years of post-licensed clinical experience in family systems therapy, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential.

• 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 marriage and family therapy from a COAMFTE-approved program, or from a regionally accredited institution, OR a comparable mental health degree (e.g., Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, Psychiatry) meeting VA qualification standards.
• Full, current, and unrestricted MFT license to independently practice marriage and family therapy in a State.
• English language proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level, demonstrating directly related knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Graduation from a COAMFTE-approved program OR passing the AMFTRB examination.
• Five years of post-licensed clinical experience in family systems theory/therapy, demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise.
• AAMFT Approved Supervisor credential.
• Demonstrated KSAs: skill in assessing staff qualifications and performance; ability to facilitate professional development of other MFTs; ability to collaborate with leaders across facilities, community, VISN, and VACO; skill in managing and directing work to accomplish program goals; ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and implement solutions; ability to clinically supervise in marital and fa…
• Transcript required with application; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Supervise a multidisciplinary staff of clinical and administrative team members providing direct readjustment counseling to eligible individuals.

• Focus on suicide prevention, crisis intervention, short- and long-term treatment for PTSD and readjustment issues.
• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate professional services rendered by subordinates.
• Set guidelines and establish intervention strategies and treatment priorities for individual, group, conjoint, and family therapy using various clinical modalities.
• Conduct Performance Based Interviews (PBI) for staff selection.
• Ensure compliance with VA policies and procedures, and adapt work operations to changing program, staffing, and budget requirements.
• Collaborate with leaders of other disciplines within facilities, the community, VISN, and VACO.
• Provide clinical supervision in areas related to marital and family therapy services to accomplish organizational goals.

Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must complete an online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025).
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for all VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a 1- or 2-year trial period; continued employment must advance the public interest.
• May be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) with up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement; application required within four months of appointment.

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

• Annual leave accrual based on years of service; prior work or military experience may qualify for credit toward a higher accrual rate.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility for student loan repayment up to $200,000.
• Telework eligible on an ad hoc basis.
• Career development and training opportunities through VA.

Review the full announcement on the official application portal and ensure you meet all qualifications and requirements.

• Prepare your application package: a federal-style resume, transcripts, license, AAMFT supervision designation proof, and any other required documents (e.g., DD-214, SF-50).
• Go to the official application portal and click 'Apply Online' to or create a the official application portal account using Login.gov.
• Complete the occupational questionnaire and attach your resume and supporting documents.
• Review your application and click 'Submit My Answers' to submit your package before the deadline: 11:59 PM (ET) on August 10, 2026.

This position is multidisciplinary and may also be filled as a Psychologist, Social Worker, or Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor. Each discipline is announced separately; apply to the correct announcement.

• First area of consideration: current permanent Readjustment Counseling Service employees. Second: current permanent VHA employees. Third: current permanent VA employees. Then all other qualified applicants.
• The 2-page resume requirement does not apply to this position; use the standard Clinical Resume Document for the two-page field and upload full resume/CV in 'Other'.
• Veterans' preference applies; eligible veterans should claim preference in the questionnaire and provide required documentation (DD-214, SF-15, etc.).
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of employment for all VA Health Care Personnel.
• Selected applicants must serve a 1- or 2-year trial period.
• For questions, contact the VHA National Recruitment Center at (844) 456-5208 or [email protected].
• The address for the Readjustment Counseling Service is 120 SE 6th Avenue, Ste. 102, Topeka, KS 66603.

The Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) is part of the Veterans Health Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs. RCS operates Vet Centers across the country, providing readjustment counseling and support services to veterans, service members, and their families. These services include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and referral for benefits and resources. This Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager) position is based at the RCS office in Topeka, Kansas. The role involves supervising a multidisciplinary team that delivers direct clinical services to eligible individuals, focusing on PTSD, suicide prevention, and readjustment issues.