Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder)

Summary
The employee will serve as the Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder) which is part of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). The VCL is a 24-hour - 7-days-a-week - 365-days-a-year service aimed at connecting callers worldwide to a caring - qualified Veterans Administration employee. The VCL's mission is to provide 24/7 - world-class suicide prevention and crisis intervention services to Veterans - Service Members and their family members.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/25/2026.
Basic Requirements
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency: Social Science Specialists (Crisis Responders) must be proficient in spoken and written English
See 38 U.S.C.
7403(f)
Education and Experience: Applicants must meet at least one of the basic requirements below: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
The degree must be in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g. - psychology - social work - sociology - family counseling - mental health counseling - nursing - ministry and criminal justice)
OR - Two years of specialized experience as a first responder (e.g. - Police - Medic - Emergency Medical Technician - Emergency Dispatch - etc.) or in a social science related field that included behavioral health crisis response - and two years of higher education (i.e. - above the high school level) from an accredited college or university in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g. - psychology - social work - sociology - family counseling - mental health counseling - nursing - ministry and criminal justice)
OR - Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any field and - one year of specialized experience that included behavioral health crisis response or mental health counseling
Grade Determinations for Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder) - GS-11: Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic requirements - you must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level - which is directly related to the position to be filled
OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university in a behavioral health related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g. - psychology - social work - sociology - or family counseling)
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
In addition to meeting the specialized experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide an evidenced based crisis intervention through a variety of modalities (e.g. - telephone interviews - chat/text services - or social media forums)
Ability to carry out crisis management steps while withholding judgment on controversial behaviors and not imposing one's values during the contact
Ability to effectively prioritize complex problems quickly and respond appropriately in a crisis situation
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Duties
Major duties of the Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder) position include - but are not limited to - the following: Implements suicide/mental health crisis prevention strategies
Conducts interviews and utilizes assessments tools to assess emotional - functional - and/or psychological conditions
Assists Veterans and their family/friend/significant other with issues regarding the Veterans' mental health issues - referrals - benefits - support groups
Provides psycho-education and directs advice regarding suicide/mental illness crisis
Provides support for the identification of veterans at high risk - and coordinates enhanced care
Completes structured diagnostic and clinical assessments
Keeping a caller - texter - or chatter engaged while multi-tasking to document work - look up resources - and instant message for assistance when needed
Prepares and maintains records and reports in accordance with program guidelines
Works collaboratively with other members of the VA Crisis Hotline Program to identify appropriate services for Veterans in crisis
Makes outgoing calls to Veterans if a Veteran has sent an email or letter to the White House - or some other government agency
If selected for the position - the Veterans Crisis Line has a comprehensive training that you will attend during your first weeks
As a new employee you will be expected to successfully complete all parts of the training - to include completing a final competency assessment with a score of 80% or higher
Failure to attain a passing score on the cumulative competency assessment may result in a determination that you are not qualified to progress in your employment with the Veterans Crisis Line
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process that will be directed from the VCL Onboarding Team and the Staffing Onboarding Team
This will include pre-employment tasks to be completed prior to final job offer
Work Schedule: Varied work schedule to include evenings - nights - weekends and holidays to provide 24/7 call center coverage
Tour will be determined after final selections and will be based on seniority
Tour is subject to change based on program needs
Selectees will be expected to work all shifts
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
This is a remote position
Selectees will work 100% of the time in a non-VA-owned space outside of the local commuting area of a parent station
The employee's workspace must be suitable for conducting business and as such - remote employees are expected to provide a secure - distraction-free home-based worksite with reliable high speed internet connectivity
The employee will be required to travel to the closest VA Medical Center or VA Outpatient Clinic for issuance of equipment - and as needed for technical support
Selectees will be required to self-certify that their remote workplace meets all safety - privacy - and internet speed requirements
Selectees are responsible for providing their own physical equipment like desks - chairs - lamps - etc
Functional Statement #: 07742A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This is a bargaining unit position The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is aware of the inherent risks involved in managing callers who frequently contact VCL and may exhibit inappropriate or abusive behaviors
Crisis Responders will be expected to manage stressful interactions with callers while maintaining a high level of professionalism and emotional resilience
VCL utilizes standard operating procedures and best practices /interventions to identify patterns of abusive behavior to ensure the well-being and safety of the customer and VCL staff are encouraged through supportive measures.

Work arrangement
No