Veteran Transition and Suicide Prevention Program Consultant

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Job Title:  

Veteran Transition and Suicide Prevention Program Consultant

Agency:

Department of Veterans Service

Job Requisition ID:

JR0000007547

Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Compensation Details:

Job Description:

Under supervision, coordinates, implements, and evaluates statewide veteran transition and suicide prevention initiatives for the Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS).

Supports implementation of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), emphasizing proactive engagement with transitioning service members, identification of suicide risk factors and unmet social needs, administration or coordination of approved screening instruments, and connections to VA healthcare, benefits, and community-based support services.

Serves as the lead coordinator for Georgia's statewide Veteran Suicide Mortality Review Board, facilitating multidisciplinary case reviews, conducting voluntary and trauma-informed interviews with surviving family members, and identifying other service members or veterans who may benefit from suicide prevention outreach and support.

Analyzes mortality review findings, screening results, program performance measures, and available demographic and social needs data to identify trends, systemic gaps, and opportunities for earlier intervention. Tracks implementation of mortality review recommendations and coordinates follow-up with participating agencies to improve statewide suicide prevention practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. SSG Fox Program Coordination — 65%

• Coordinate outreach to transitioning service members and veterans through military installations, Transition Assistance Programs, VA facilities, and community partners.
• Connect transitioning service members with VA healthcare, disability benefits, mental health services, employment assistance, housing, financial support, and other available resources.
• Support implementation of SSG Fox suicide prevention activities, including outreach, screening, referrals, follow-up, and program evaluation.
• Identify transition-related risk factors, including social isolation, financial instability, unemployment, housing insecurity, and barriers to healthcare.
• Coordinate with GDVS Veterans Service Officers and program navigators to facilitate timely access to benefits and services.
• Support administration of approved suicide risk and psychosocial screening instruments by appropriately trained personnel.
• Coordinate timely referrals to qualified clinical professionals when screening results indicate elevated suicide risk or other behavioral health concerns.
• Monitor referral completion and service connections to identify individuals requiring additional outreach or assistance.
• Maintain program documentation and support compliance with federal grant reporting requirements.

• Serve as lead coordinator for Georgia's statewide Veteran Suicide Mortality Review Board.
• Coordinate meetings, case preparation, documentation, and multidisciplinary review activities.
• Conduct voluntary, trauma-informed interviews with surviving family members, close friends, military colleagues, and other appropriate individuals to better understand circumstances preceding a veteran suicide death.
• Review available information to identify potential gaps in healthcare, transition assistance, benefits access, behavioral health services, and community support.
• Develop case chronologies to identify potential missed opportunities for prevention or intervention.
• Assist in analyzing recurring circumstances, contributing factors, and service delivery gaps across reviewed cases.
• Document findings and recommendations in accordance with established board procedures.
• Prepare summary reports identifying trends, systemic vulnerabilities, and opportunities for prevention.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and comply with applicable privacy and records protection requirements.

• Coordinate compassionate outreach to families affected by veteran suicide.
• Conduct structured, voluntary, trauma-informed interviews to identify circumstances surrounding the death and potential unmet needs among surviving family members.
• Connect surviving family members with grief counseling, survivor benefits, peer support, and other appropriate resources.
• Identify, through authorized mortality review activities and voluntary interviews, other service members, veterans, military colleagues, or individuals who may be experiencing increased suicide risk following a death.
• Coordinate supportive outreach and referrals through VA suicide prevention coordinators, Vet Centers, military behavioral health programs, and community providers.
• Administer or coordinate approved suicide prevention and psychosocial screening instruments, consistent with training, agency protocols, and professional scope of practice, including:
  • Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS): Screening for suicidal ideation and behavior.
  • Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): Screening for depressive symptoms, including potential suicidal ideation.
  • Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS): Assessing mental well-being and changes over time.
  • Approved psychosocial assessments: Identifying social determinants of health, unmet needs, and barriers to accessing services.
• Follow established procedures for immediate escalation and referral when screening results indicate potential suicide risk.
• Coordinate follow-up to determine whether individuals have been connected with appropriate services.
• Support postvention initiatives designed to reduce the risk of additional suicide deaths within affected communities.
• Maintain accurate documentation of screening, outreach, referrals, and follow-up activities in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

Screening responsibilities do not include independent clinical diagnosis, treatment, or comprehensive clinical suicide risk assessment unless the incumbent possesses the required professional qualifications and authorization.

4. Recommendation Implementation and Follow-Up — 15%

• Maintain a centralized tracking system for recommendations resulting from statewide veteran suicide mortality reviews.
• Translate board recommendations into specific action items with identified responsible agencies, implementation milestones, and anticipated completion dates.
• Coordinate with participating agencies to develop implementation plans addressing identified gaps in prevention, intervention, and service delivery.
• Conduct periodic follow-up with agency representatives to monitor progress toward implementing recommendations.
• Document completed actions, outstanding recommendations, and implementation barriers.
• Analyze implementation data to determine whether recommendations have resulted in changes to policies, procedures, training, referral practices, or service delivery.
• Prepare periodic status reports for GDVS leadership and the Mortality Review Board.
• Identify recurring systemic issues requiring additional coordination, resources, or policy consideration.
• Recommend adjustments to prevention strategies based on implementation findings and emerging evidence.
• Elevate unresolved implementation issues to appropriate leadership.

5. Data Analysis, Program Evaluation, and Prevention Strategy Development — 15%

• Collect, compile, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data related to veteran suicide prevention, transition assistance, and mortality review activities.
• Analyze screening results, referral patterns, service utilization, and follow-up outcomes to identify trends and potential gaps in care.
• Review available demographic, geographic, and social determinants of health data to identify veteran populations and communities that may benefit from targeted outreach.
• Examine mortality review findings to identify recurring circumstances, potential contributing factors, and opportunities for earlier intervention.
• Compare trends across reviewed cases to identify patterns involving military transition, behavioral health access, financial instability, social isolation, and other relevant factors.
• Develop and maintain performance measures, tracking reports, and dashboards to evaluate program implementation and outcomes.
• Monitor measures such as screening completion, referral acceptance, successful service connections, follow-up timeliness, and implementation of mortality review recommendations.
• Analyze stakeholder feedback and program outcomes to identify opportunities for continuous quality improvement.
• Prepare data-informed reports, presentations, and recommendations for GDVS leadership, grant administrators, and authorized stakeholders.
• Support development of proactive outreach strategies targeting veterans with identified social needs or barriers to services.
• Use available data to recommend improvements to interagency coordination, referral procedures, and suicide prevention activities.
• Ensure data collection, analysis, and reporting comply with applicable confidentiality, privacy, and grant requirements.

6. Suicide Prevention Training, Education, and Interagency Collaboration — 5%

• Complete required suicide prevention training and maintain proficiency in approved screening, referral, and crisis response procedures.
• Participate in continuing education concerning suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, military transition, and postvention practices.
• Support delivery of suicide prevention awareness and resource education to transitioning service members, veterans, families, and community partners.
• Coordinate with VA, DoD, state agencies, and community organizations to strengthen suicide prevention referral pathways.
• Assist in developing educational materials, outreach presentations, and program guidance.
• Represent GDVS at designated suicide prevention meetings, training events, and community outreach activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in public health, social work, psychology, human services, public administration, data analytics, or a related field.
• Experience in veteran services, suicide prevention, behavioral health program coordination, public health, or community outreach.
• Experience working with military personnel, veterans, or military families.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary committees, mortality review activities, or public health initiatives.
• Familiarity with VA programs and military transition services.
• Experience conducting sensitive interviews, coordinating referrals, or supporting individuals affected by traumatic loss.
• Experience administering or coordinating standardized screening instruments.
• Experience analyzing program data, identifying trends, developing performance measures, or preparing evaluation reports.
• Experience tracking implementation of program recommendations or quality improvement initiatives.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The incumbent must complete designated training within an agency-established period following appointment and maintain proficiency through continuing education, as applicable.

Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training

• VA S.A.V.E. Training.
• Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) or an equivalent approved suicide prevention gatekeeper training.
• C-SSRS screening administration and associated escalation protocols.
• PHQ-9 administration, interpretation within the nonclinical role, and referral procedures.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), safeTALK, or other agency-approved training, as assigned.
• Agency-approved crisis response and referral procedures.

Trauma-Informed Care and Postvention Training

• Trauma-informed interviewing techniques.
• Suicide loss survivor support and postvention practices.
• Recognizing grief, trauma responses, and potential suicide risk among individuals affected by a suicide death.
• Appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and referral practices.
• Culturally responsive engagement with military personnel, veterans, and surviving families.

Program and Data Management Training

• SSG Fox program requirements and performance reporting.
• Mortality review procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Data collection, analysis, and program evaluation.
• Secure records management and applicable privacy protections.
• Recommendation tracking and continuous quality improvement processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma/GED and one (1) year of job-related experience or completion of an apprenticeship/internship that sufficiently supplied experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position or any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.