Telework eligibleFederal

Senior Psychologist (Service Chief) - Mental Health & Behavioral Science Service Line Manager

Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs

Psychology

Salary
$176,938–$228,000/year
Grade
15
Work location
Telework eligible · Prescott, Arizona
Schedule
Full-time
Posted
Sep 25, 2026
Apply by
Dec 18, 2026
Category
Psychology

Apply on USAJOBS →

Source: USAJOBS. Applications happen on the original posting, not on this site.

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 18, 2026 or until the position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 2, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals until the position is filled. This is a multidisciplinary announcement. If you are a Physician (Psychiatrist), apply at CBSX-13068536-26-EY. If you are a Social Worker, apply at CBSX-13068539-26-JS.

Duties

30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager. Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions. After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Manages all professional and administrative activities within MH&BS including selection, orientation, and continuing education of staff. Develops, implements, and evaluates policies, procedures, and clinical care standards to ensure high-quality, safe, and efficient care delivery. Conducts ongoing surveillance and evaluation of clinical performance, including quality of care, appropriateness of treatment, adherence to standards, and performance improvement activities. Leads quality control programs, risk management activities, infection control oversight, and compliance with facility-wide performance measures. Improves patient access, flow, timeliness, and satisfaction through data-driven process improvement. Oversees professional performance reviews, including FPPE/OPPE, peer review, and performance improvement data integration. Coordinates interdepartmental and intradepartmental services to ensure integrated, Veteran-centered mental health care delivery across settings (e.g., PC, ED, acute care, community care). Plans, develops, and leads new or expanded clinical programs, including Telehealth, evidence-based practice implementation, and enhancement of specialty/complexity of care offerings. Analyzes financial, workflow, and operational impacts of proposed policies or initiatives and provide data-supported recommendations. Supervises interdisciplinary staff, resolving personnel issues, conducting evaluations, managing performance, and overseeing continuing education. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) 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: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

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/.

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

About this listing

Veterans Health Administration has 647 open listings on the site: 19 fully remote and 628 telework eligible. This one is telework eligible, based in Prescott, Arizona. See all Veterans Health Administration listings, or read what fully remote and telework eligible mean.

Advertised pay is $176,938 to $228,000 a year. That covers GS-15 on the General Schedule, where pay also depends on step and locality; how GS pay works.

This announcement is open for 84 days, from Sep 25, 2026 to Dec 18, 2026. Among currently open Psychology postings at Veterans Health Administration, the typical advertised window is about 29 days.

Who can apply: the public (U.S. citizens), plus employees of the hiring agency. The announcement's "This job is open to" section has the exact eligibility rules.

Similar open roles

Context computed from the GovRemoteJobs inventory as of Oct 6, 2026, refreshed daily.

Check your resume against this job

Rule-based, on-device analysis — your resume text is never sent to our servers or stored anywhere. Not a substitute for professional resume review.