Licensed Clinical Social Worker (SWLNA)

As a Foreign Service Limited Non-career Appointment (LNA) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you will work in U.S. embassies overseas in Iraq and Pakistan alongside Foreign Service Officers, other U.S. agency personnel, and locally-employed staff.  You will serve on the Mental Health Programs staff and as a resident professional counselor providing services for employees at Foreign Service posts. As a member of a diplomatic team, you help to accomplish the mission of the Department of State, and will also be a representative of the United States to the people of other nations. This position involves hardships, as well as unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to accept this appointment should be based on extraordinary motivation and a firm dedication to public service.

This is a paid, Limited Non-career Appointment (LNA) Foreign Service position. It is not an alternate entry method to the Foreign Service or the Department of State, i.e., this service does not lead to onward employment at the Department of State or with the U.S. government. Medical Service LNAs are welcome to apply to become Foreign Service Specialists, Foreign Service Generalists, or Civil Service employees, but they must complete the standard application and assessment processes.

In return for your service, you’ll have access to continued medical training and career development programs; health and medical coverage; federal retirement benefits; and generous paid leave. When serving overseas, you’ll receive paid housing or an appropriate housing allowance, and paid K-12 education for dependent children.  Not all benefits are available to LNA positions. The Student Loan Repayment and Language Incentive Pay (if language is a hiring prerequisite) programs are not included under the LNA program.

Conditions of Employment

  • Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
  • Be able to meet the appropriate Foreign Service Minimum Medical Qualifications.
  • Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
  • Be at least 20 years old to apply; at least 21 years old to be appointed.
  • Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service.*

Requirements

  • Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain national security eligibility.
  • Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE);
  • At least five years of progressively responsible experience in psychiatric social work, earned within the last 10 years; and
  • The highest level of independent clinical licensure for professional Social Work practice level (LICSW, CSW, LCSW, etc.) in any U.S. state.

Learn more about the duties and find all the requirements for the position and the application process by visiting an archived USAJOBS listing.  This is for informational purposes only.  Candidates must adhere to the requirements listed in the open vacancy announcement at the time of their application.  Sign up to receive a notification when the vacancy is open for application.

*EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

**The Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/.

***For more information about Veteran’s Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: http://careers.state.gov/faqs/