About the opportunity
The Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Health Administration) is seeking a qualified Staff Psychologist for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The position involves diagnosing mental disorders, conducting psychological and neuropsychological assessments, providing evidence-based psychotherapies, and designing effective treatment strategies. The role also includes participating in peer review, making clinical referrals, offering clinical supervision to trainees, and participating in quality assurance and research activities. This is an on-site, full-time position in the Excepted Service with a grade progression level ranging from GS-11 to GS-13.
Salary and benefits
- Competitive salary and regular salary increases ranging from $94,062 to $175,285 per year
- Paid time off providing 37 to 50 days of annual leave and sick leave per year, plus 11 paid Federal holidays
- Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) offering student loan payment reimbursement up to $200,000
- Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching contributions by the VA
- Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance programs
- Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous employment
- Childcare subsidy eligibility for full-time employees with qualifying family incomes after 60 days of employment
Who can apply?
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Must hold a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program accredited by the APA, PCSAS, or CPA, or meet alternative approved education and re-specialization criteria
- Must have successfully completed an APA- or CPA-accredited professional psychology internship training program or an approved equivalent
- Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a US state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia (non-licensed applicants may be appointed temporarily as a graduate psychologist for up to two years)
- Must be proficient in spoken and written English
- Must register with the Selective Service if born after December 31, 1959, and successfully pass pre-employment drug screening, background checks, and health screenings
Required documents
- Long-form resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- College transcript verifying educational requirements and degree conferral
- Copy of state psychology license, if applicable
- Cover letter
- SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for current or former federal employees, if applicable
- DD-214 or Statement of Service for veterans, if applicable
- Disability letters or documentation (VA or Schedule A), if applicable
When to apply
- Applications open on October 25, 2026
- Application closing date and final deadline is October 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
How to apply
- Create an account or log into your existing account on USAJOBS
- Review the complete job announcement details and qualification requirements
- Prepare your resume, transcripts, license, and other required supporting documentation
- Complete the full online occupational questionnaire via the application portal
- Submit your complete application package and required documents through USAJOBS by the October 30, 2026 deadline
Additional information
- This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status
- Selected applicants will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a mandatory condition of employment for all Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare personnel
- This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies across the healthcare system
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Licensed clinical psychologists or doctoral-level psychology graduates seeking a stable federal career with structured grade progression from GS-11 to GS-13
- Clinicians with specialized training or experience in psychosocial rehabilitation, mental health recovery models, and evidence-based psychotherapy
- Professionals looking to benefit from federal student loan repayment assistance through the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
- Applicants desiring a comprehensive public sector benefits package including a federal pension, robust health insurance, and generous paid time off
What should you think carefully about?
- Strict U.S. citizenship, doctoral education, internship completion, and licensure requirements must be fully documented and met at the time of appointment
- The position is strictly on-site in Salisbury, North Carolina, requiring local relocation if you do not already reside in the area
- Mandatory participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of continued employment
- Selected candidates must successfully complete a 1- or 2-year trial period and pass background investigations and drug screening
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This full-time staff psychologist role fits professionals aiming to build a long-term career within the federal healthcare system while delivering specialized mental health care to veterans. It provides an environment that supports clinical practice, supervision of trainees, and potential engagement in research activities, all backed by stable government benefits and loan repayment options.
Our take
Licensed clinical psychologists and qualifying doctoral graduates who meet the strict citizenship, education, and licensure prerequisites should seriously consider applying before the October 30, 2026 deadline. Candidates unable to relocate to Salisbury, North Carolina or those lacking the required doctoral credentials and professional licensure will find this opportunity unsuitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
