About the opportunity
The Veterans Health Administration is hiring a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LPMHC) for the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (RRTP) at the VA Medical Center in Sheridan, Wyoming. The position operates within the GS-9 to GS-11 grade levels. The incumbent will identify patient needs, develop individual treatment plans, provide individual and group professional counseling, handle psychological crises, and conduct therapeutic lectures related to general mental health, substance use disorders, PTSD, and serious mental illness. Responsibilities also include case management, multidisciplinary team collaboration, outpatient aftercare development, and serving as a field instructor, preceptor, or mentor to interns and new clinicians. The work schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program providing up to $200,000.
Salary and benefits
- Salary range of $76,981 to $121,089 per year (PA)
- Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) for student loan payment reimbursement up to $200,000
- Federal employee benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave
- Potential service credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service
Who can apply?
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy
- Education: Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or a related field (such as Addiction Counseling, Community Counseling, Gerontology Counseling, Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling) from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Licensure: Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, which includes diagnosis and treatment (required at the GS-11 full performance level; a waiver of licensure may apply for entry-level GS-9 positions pending completion of state prerequisites)
- For GS-9 entry level: Less than one year of post-master's experience or graduates not yet licensed at the independent practice level, working toward licensure prerequisites while demonstrating required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
- For GS-11 full performance level: At least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral mental health counseling experience and licensure to practice at the independent practice level
- Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program or approved medical/religious exemption
Required documents
- Resume
- SF-50 / Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable)
- Standard Clinical Resume Document (downloaded via provided VA link and uploaded into the restricted two-page 'Resume' field)
- Full resume/CV (uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field)
- Cover Letter (if applicable)
- DD-214 / Statement of Service (if applicable)
- Disability Letter (VA) (if applicable)
- License (if applicable)
- SF-15 (if applicable)
- Transcript (if using education to qualify)
When to apply
- The announcement is open continuously until October 26, 2026
- The initial cutoff date to review applicants is September 10, 2026
- The application final deadline is October 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM (ET)
How to apply
- Review the vacancy announcement and ensure all required documents are prepared
- Download the standard Clinical Resume Document to use in the primary resume upload field
- Click 'Apply Online' on USAJOBS to create an account or log in to an existing account
- Complete the online occupational questionnaire
- Upload the required documents including transcripts, license, and SF-50 if applicable
- Submit your complete application package before the closing date of October 26, 2026
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
- Physical requirements include normal visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to lift and carry 15-44 pounds
- This is not a virtual position and requires on-site work in Sheridan, Wyoming
- Contact Amber Guinotte at Amber.Guinotte@va.gov for EDRP-related questions
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 Professional Mental Health Counselors (LPMHCs) with a CACREP-accredited degree.
- Counselors with experience in substance use disorders, PTSD, and serious mental illness.
- Clinicians who are comfortable serving as mentors or preceptors to interns.
What should you think carefully about?
- The position requires on-site work in Sheridan, Wyoming, and is not a virtual role.
- Candidates must meet specific physical requirements, including the ability to lift 15-44 pounds.
- The role is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
- New hires must serve a 1-2 year trial period.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This is an excellent opportunity for counselors seeking to significantly reduce their student loan burden through the EDRP while gaining experience in treating PTSD, substance use, and serious mental illness in a veteran population.
Our take
This is an ideal role for licensed counselors who want to combine high-level clinical work with significant student loan relief through the EDRP program.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
