Counseling Psychologist GS-0180-12

PsychologistIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$101K - $132K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 4mo ago

Job Description

Counseling Psychologist (GS-0180-12) - Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Cavazos, TX

*Recruitment/Relocation Incentives may be authorized

*Student loan repayment may be authorized

*Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

Fort Cavazos is located in the beautiful 'hill and lake' country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin, 50 miles south of Waco, 160 miles south of Dallas, and 150 miles north of San Antonio.

Founded in 1942, this 340-sq.-mile military base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces.

A 214,968 acre installation, Fort Cavazos is now the largest active duty armored post in the U.S. Armed Forces and the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions.

The rolling, semi-arid terrain is ideal for multifaceted training and testing of military units and individuals. Additionally, the Killeen community is a model of support for Army families. There are lots of resources and networks available to assist you.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: usajobs.gov

Responsibilities

Conduct evaluations of Soldiers, family members, retirees, and eligible Federal civilian employees referred for consultation.

  • Make clinical assessments to inform treatment decision-making.
  • Collaborate with management/command officials to identify substance abuse issues.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans.
  • Hold primary case management responsibility for patients.
  • Counsel patients on primary and secondary illnesses.

Develop and implement orientation and training for patients, medical staff, commanders and key unit personnel, supervisors, and in the community.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below.

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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Counseling Psychologist (Substance Abuse): 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. (must provide copy of transcripts) In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes conducting clinical assessments of substance abuse patients; formulating behavioral health treatment plans; and providing professional counseling to substance abuse patients.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify.

For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Licensure: The Counseling Psychologist position requires applicants to possess a current, active, valid, unrestricted counseling/psychologist license from a U.S. State, District of Columbia, Commonwealth, territory, or jurisdiction is required. (Note: You must attach a copy of your license.)

Education

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: sites.ed.gov

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentSubstance Abuse CounselingTreatment PlanningPatient CounselingClinical EvaluationTraining Development

Psychologist Career Context

Of the 50 active Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 30% are remote, 32% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

Psychology pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Texas is 97.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$116k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $120k in an average-cost state. 57.7% of Texas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$116k midpoint, that is roughly $5k–$8k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Psychologist Jobs

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Salary Distribution34 jobs · 18 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks31 jobs · 18 employers

401k / retirement match
97% this job
CME allowance
55%
Sign-on bonus
26%
Loan repayment
19% this job
PSLF eligible
13% this job

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.4this job 3.0
Below most Psychology listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,736 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call
Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA logo

About Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

Hospitals and Health Care
Falls Church, VA
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive compensation packages
Paid-time off
Medical benefits
Student loan repayments
Retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan including matching employer contributions
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives may be authorized
Salary negotiation may be available for new Federal service