Telework eligibleFederal

Senior Psychologist (Service Chief)

Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs

Psychology

Salary
$199,687–$228,000/year
Grade
15
Work location
Telework eligible · San Francisco, California
Schedule
Full-time
Posted
Sep 30, 2026
Apply by
Oct 20, 2026
Category
Psychology

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Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

The Service Chief is responsible for all professional, management, and administrative aspects of the service including supervision and resource management which involve major decisions, and work activities that significantly affect the ability of staff to provide comprehensive services to Veterans. Duties for the position may include but are not limited to: Assist the full range of diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative and evaluative techniques. Provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient mental health care for Veterans. Evaluates crisis intervention, medication management, case management, psychiatric emergency services, psychotherapy, inpatient consultations, neuropsychiatric evaluations, MHICM program, suicide prevention services and civil commitments Consist of program planning and development, implementation, review, evaluation, and retention of effective programs and discarding or modifying less effective programs. Maintains administrative and professional leadership of the different programs of the Mental Health Service subject to broad policies and guidelines established by the agency and with the scope of the Processional Services of the medical center. Knowledges of EEO regulations; supports partnership with employee Unions by actively seeking opportunities to develop productive labor relations and is guided by ethical standards of the profession. Possess sound fiscal and budgetary management and accountability as well as human resource management knowledge. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Available Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10770F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact: [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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 San Francisco, California. See all Veterans Health Administration listings, or read what fully remote and telework eligible mean.

Advertised pay is $199,687 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 20 days, from Sep 30, 2026 to Oct 20, 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.

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

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