The Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Social Work is the senior social work executive and the highest-level professional position responsible for the practice of social work throughout the facility.
The ACOS translates facility-level clinical and operational priorities set by the DCOS and Chief of Staff into social work program policy, staffing plans, and practice standards, represents the needs, performance, and risks of Social Work Service in facility-level clinical governance.
Duties include but are not limited to: Program and Systems Management: Plans, organizes, and directs a very large, interdisciplinary social work program spanning multiple complex specialty areas and treatment sites. Establishes local policies, procedures, and clinical pathways consistent with national VHA social work program requirements, and adapts staffing and service delivery models to the needs of assigned care/product lines.
Assesses the need for basic and complex social work services across the full range of patient care venues and coordinates the efforts of multiple program elements - inpatient units, outpatient clinics, specialty programs, and community-facing services. Resource, Budget, and Workforce Management: Manages the Social Work Service budget and line authority, including forecasting staffing and equipment needs, monitoring control points, and accounting for appropriated funds.
Directs workforce planning and position management across the service, including recruitment, retention, and succession planning for a large, multi-grade professional and support staff. Exercises full supervisory authority - directly or through subordinate assistant chiefs and supervisory social workers - over assignment of work, performance evaluation, selection, training, awards, and disciplinary action.
Quality, Safety, and Accreditation: Directs data-driven quality assurance and performance improvement activities for social work services, including completion of program evaluations and documentation required by the medical center, VISN, and VHA Central Office.
Ensures ongoing compliance with applicable accrediting and regulatory bodies, such as The Joint Commission (TJC), the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), as applicable to programs under the service's purview.
Education, Consultation, and Professional Development: Serves as a consultant and educational resource to facility staff and trainees on social work practice, competency, and treatment expectations for Veterans, family members, and caregivers. Establishes and oversees orientation, in-service training, and continuing education for social work staff, and supports field placement, internship, or fellowship activities affiliated with the service.
Interdisciplinary, VISN, and Community Coordination: Represents Social Work Service on facility-level clinical governance and safety committees and coordinates with VISN social work leadership, other service lines, and community and Veteran Service Organization partners on care transitions, access initiatives, and population health efforts.
Advises the DCOS and Chief of Staff on social work workforce and program matters as part of the facility's senior clinical leadership team. Correspondence and Executive Reporting: Prepares responses to controlled correspondence concerning social work services and Veteran care, including inquiries from VISN and VHA Central Office, elected officials, and the Office of Inspector General Hotline.
May be assigned additional facility-wide program responsibilities outside Social Work Service at the direction of the DCOS or Chief of Staff.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: AdHoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. You must possess a master's degree in Social Work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited.
Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
NOTE: If your school was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website (https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/), you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $207636 – $228000/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-11-04.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-30 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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