Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager) – Vet Center Director
Department of Veterans Affairs
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 (1 to 5 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
- This position is multidisciplinary and maybe filled as a Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, at the Program Manager/Coordinator level.
- Duties of the Supervisory Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Program Manager/VCD and licensed professional with advance practical experience using evidence based family therapy model while demonstrating progressive professional competency and expertise include but are not limited to: Supervising a multidisciplinary staff composed of clinical and administrative team members, whose primary mission is to provide direct readjustment counseling to eligible individuals in the areas of suicide prevention, crisis intervention, short- and long-term treatment for symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and readjustment issues; Planning, developing, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating professional services rendered by subordinates; Setting guidelines and establishing intervention strategies/treatment priorities for individual, group, conjoint and families employing varying clinical and therapeutic modalities; Conducting Performance Based Interviews (PBI) and determining selection processes to ensure fair and equitable recruitment of qualified, high achieving, and well prepared applicants; Developing networks and working relationships external to the St.
- Louis Vet Center Director and the Department of Veteran Affairs with Veteran service organizations, community based agencies, and mental health organizations to enhance service delivery and develop referrals of Veteran clients to appropriate care; Serving as a consultant and subject matter expert to programs and resources external to the Vet Center on matters of readjustment needs of Veterans; Creating, implementing, and measuring market penetration of Vet Center services through a comprehensive outreach plan for the primary service area; Ensuring fiscal/budget management, in compliance with applicable RCS and VHA policies and procedures as an approving official for time & attendance reports, leases/contracts management, staff local travel, Government Purchase Card (GPC) purchases, etc.; and Screening/assessing of Veteran clients, treatment planning and goal setting, referral to service providers, development of a resource file, Veteran advocacy, crisis intervention, education/health promotion, coordination of non-institutional and institutional services, and individual/group counseling.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Available on an ad-hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
- Functional Statement #: 78047A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
- Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, 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. 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
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.
Required Documents
- To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Resume Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
- This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
- Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
- The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Additional CV/Resume AAMFT Designated Supervisor OR evidence of passing AMFTRB examination Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
- You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
- If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
- Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
- Documentation is required to award preference.
- For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans' Preference.
- Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
About this role
The Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager) – Vet Center Director position with the Department of Veterans Affairs is based in East Moline, Illinois. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. The role pays $108,137 to $140,580 per year.
Day to day, the work involves work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Available on an ad-hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for United States citizenship, the relevant certifications named in the posting, and a valid driver's license. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Marriage and Family Therapist (Program Manager) – Vet Center Director position with the Department of Veterans Affairs in East Moline, Illinois, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
At $108,137 to $140,580 per year, this is a mid-to-senior role where a precisely tailored application matters most. Because it is a supervisory or senior position, expect experienced candidates and a strong emphasis on a documented leadership and performance record. Based in East Moline, Illinois, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on June 29, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.