SOCIAL WORKER

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. NEW MEXICO AIR NATIONAL GUARD This National Guard position is for a SOCIAL WORKER, Position Description Number T59128P1 and is part of the NM 150th Special Operations Wing, National Guard.

The primary purpose of this position is: to provide operational leadership consultation, direct client services, community capacity building, preventive, remedial, and support services aimed at improving and sustaining the psychological health of Air National Guard (ANG) military members and their families. As a part of the ANG Wing Director of Psychological Health (WDPH) Program, the incumbent of this position provides access to a full range of professional services for the populations served. The Air National Guard Psychological Health Program (ANG PHP) will provide consultation to operational leadership on psychological health issues and vertical integration of Military Service and Department of Defense (DOD)-wide psychological health initiatives and population-health monitoring. Actively supports the commander's leadership team in addressing the psychological health of their installation.

Provides strategic planning and leadership to implement an ANG comprehensive psychological health strategic plan. Assist leadership in understanding the interface between psychological health and operational readiness, and the role of the DPH in developing and helping leadership apply psychological health solutions to functional/operational problems. Encourage and coach unit leadership to actively promote psychological health and help-seeking as part of the wingman culture at the wing.

Consult with leadership on workplace issues identified by unit leadership, (e.g., unit cohesiveness, conflict in the unit, unit stressors, etc). Consultation with leadership may include, but is not limited to, coaching and change management. Provide ANG PHP briefing to newly-appointed commanders and others in leadership positions as they assume new leadership roles, to include key unit leadership; including, Group, and Squadron Commanders and First Sergeants.

Conducts assessments, routine and crisis evaluations, psycho-diagnostic assessments, provides short-term, evidence-based problem resolution strategies and services. Provides on-site and telephonic access to psychological health assessments and individual consultation to facilitate coordination of clinical, counseling, and other services promoting the psychological health of NG members and their families. Applies professional knowledge of the principles, theories, procedures, and practices of social work to conduct needs assessments and/or intake evaluations on a limited but routine and emergency basis in accordance with applicable USAF and DoD guidelines.

On occasion, conducts comprehensive psycho-diagnostic evaluations to help clients resolve problems and to address more complex (interrelated bio psychosocial) diagnostic issues. Designs, develops, coordinates, and implements prevention and community outreach and education programs. Implements community organization strategies in collaboration with the Integrated Delivery System (IDS) Team and other key organizations to increase awareness of psychological health, develop coordinated plans for reducing risk factors for individuals and within the community, and build and enhance a general culture that promotes psychological health and wellness.

Develops and provides access to primary prevention services to inform and educate base leadership and the ANG community at large about the dynamics, treatment, and life skills and behaviors associated with psychological illness and methods to improve wellness. Responsible for marketing and marketing evaluation activities. Serves as primary consultant and advisor on methods to successfully market the ANG PHP.

Formulates strategies to generate interest, acceptance, and participation by Air National Guard community consumers, resource suppliers, and eligible National Guard Airmen and family members regarding psychological health services and community prevention for the general population. Employs social marketing of primary and secondary prevention interventions to promote utilization of military and non-military resources and services. Provides professional consultation, advice, education, and training to other military and non-military health care professionals, medical personnel, military commanders/senior leaders, wing personnel and their family members, and community agencies concerning primary and secondary prevention programs.

Provides consultation to the commanders and operational leadership to promote well- being, improve resilience, and increase personal and unit combat readiness. Apprises the NG leadership of the status of psychological health in the local beneficiary population, and the degree to which needs for prevention, early intervention, and treatment are being met. Participates as an active member with various teams and groups and, when appropriate, provides mutual consultative support for other mental health providers.

Performs other duties as assigned.