Duties

This position will:

• Serve as a program manager/counselor for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), developing and implementing programs to improve and/or maintain the productivity and healthy functioning of the workplace and to address a work organization's particular business needs through the application of specialized knowledge and expertise about human behavior and mental health.
• Serves as a recognized expert in all aspects of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, frequently responding to EAP inquiries from employees and managers. Works collaboratively in conjunction with other resource programs at NIST. Represents NIST at conferences, meetings, and other events related to Employee Assistance Program and services.
• Provide support to the NIST community with confidential and timely problem identification/assessment through short term counseling and consultation services for all employee clients and/or their immediate family members experiencing personal concerns that may affect job performance.
• Assist NIST leadership in the use of constructive confrontation, motivation, and short-term intervention to address problems that may adversely affect performance and/or conduct.
• Refer employee clients for diagnosis, treatment, and assistance, as well as case monitoring and follow-up services where needed.
• Provide Critical Incident Team (CIT) support and expertise. Debriefs leadership, staff, and management in the aftermath of a critical incident, i.e., on the job accident, death of a coworker, workplace violence, or other such events.
• Design, develop, and conduct training and outreach on EAP and well-being-related subjects such as Stress Management, Change Management, Establishing Mental Illness Awareness in the Workplace, and Enhancing Interpersonal Communication.
• Conduct research and report on topics related to the services provided by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Such topics may include, but are not limited to mental health, interpersonal relationships, workplace conflict, community-based resources, and family dynamics.
• Oversee the quality of work and activities of contract EAP Specialists; track contractor hours and ensure the contract requirements are met.
• Complete case management of individuals utilizing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services. Intakes to include an assessment of the nature and severity of the problem and overall treatment needs. Manage and track cases.
• Develops and conducts presentations and listening opportunities on areas of expertise and topics of interest for all levels of NIST management and non-supervisory staff.
• Conducts periodic assessments and evaluations of EAP programs and impact at the organizational and individual level; reports out on results to facilitate optimal workplace and program performance.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Qualifications

Basic Requirements for Counseling Psychologist:

Degree: Two full academic years of graduate study directly related to professional work in counseling psychology, or a master's degree directly related to counseling psychology.

IN ADDITION to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements below:
ZA-III:
To qualify, applicants must have at least 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level (or ZA-II at NIST). Specialized Experience is defined as performing professional counseling services specifically designed to maintain the productivity and healthy functioning of the workplace and to address a work organization's business needs through the application of experience with human behavior and mental health.

ZA-IV:
To qualify, applicants must have at least 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level (or ZA-III at NIST). Specialized Experience is defined as performing professional counseling services specifically designed to improve and/or maintain the productivity and healthy functioning of the workplace and to address a work organization's particular business needs through the application of extensive specialized experience and expertise about human behavior and mental health.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done. We will credit all qualifying volunteer experience in your application.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook .

Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required prior to a final offer of employment.

Education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course by course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

The physical worksite for this position is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. However, the Compensation, Recognition, and Effectiveness Division is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework schedule. The position's telework schedule will likely change in the future when Compensation, Recognition, and Effectiveness Division moves away from its maximum telework posture. At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor. The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit's telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval. Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement. Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action, including separation.

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS). The APMS is a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Find out more about the APMS here !

A probationary period may be required.

We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as:

• Telework
• Flexible work schedules
• Paid parental leave
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Family-friendly leave
• Child and elder-care resources
• On-site childcare center
• Lactation spaces
• Wellness programs
• Fitness center
• Employee assistance programs