Lead with Purpose. Support Well-Being. Make a Difference! Herndon Solutions Group (HSG) is seeking an experienced and compassionate Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Lead to support an exciting opportunity with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Occupational Medical Services program in Bethesda, Maryland. Are you a licensed behavioral health professional who enjoys leading others while making a meaningful impact on employee well-being? This opportunity offers the chance to do both! As our EAP Lead, you'll provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to a team of EAP Consultants, collaborate closely with federal program leadership, and help ensure employees receive timely, confidential, and compassionate support when they need it most. You'll also have the opportunity to apply your clinical expertise through workplace consultations, crisis intervention, employee education, and counseling services as needed. This is a primarily onsite leadership position based at the NIH Bethesda, Maryland, location, where you'll play an important role in supporting a program dedicated to the health and well-being of the federal workforce. This position is contingent upon contract award, with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027. Selection is also subject to government review and approval in accordance with contract requirements. If you're ready to combine your clinical expertise with your passion for leadership and helping others, we'd love to hear from you! Join HSG and help us support the people behind the mission!
General Description The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Lead is responsible for providing clinical counseling and consultation services while guiding and coordinating the work of contract EAP consultants in support of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Occupational Medical Services program. The position is responsible for ensuring consistent delivery of EAP services in accordance with established standard operating procedures, applicable clinical standards, and contract requirements. The EAP Lead works collaboratively with the federal EAP Manager, who provides technical direction on EAP matters, and consults with designated NIH medical leadership regarding clinically complex or high-risk situations. The EAP Lead may also provide direct clinical services, workplace consultations, crisis intervention, employee education, and referrals to appropriate community resources. The EAP Lead is designated as key personnel under the NIH OMS contract. Selection of personnel for this position is subject to government review and approval in accordance with contract requirements. The EAP Lead is based at the NIH Bethesda, Maryland, EAP office and is expected to work onsite daily to provide direct leadership and oversight of the EAP consultant team. The position requires close coordination and regular interaction with the Bethesda-based federal EAP Manager to support daily program operations, clinical oversight, and consistent service delivery across designated NIH locations. How You Will Fulfil Your Mission
- Provide daily onsite leadership, supervision, and coordination of contract EAP consultants, ensuring consistent service delivery, adherence to established procedures, and compliance with applicable clinical and contract requirements.
- Ensure adherence to established standard operating procedures, clinical protocols, and applicable contract requirements.
- Provide evidence-based, short-term individual and group counseling to employees experiencing workplace, personal, or behavioral health challenges.
- Conduct clinical triage, crisis intervention, risk assessments, and critical incident stress debriefings.
- Consult with supervisors, management, and employee relations professionals regarding workplace concerns, employee performance challenges, and appropriate EAP interventions.
- Serve as the primary contract EAP liaison to the federal EAP Manager, coordinating operational and clinical matters and ensuring appropriate consultation with NIH medical leadership.
- Oversee the timely identification, escalation, and coordination of clinically complex or high-risk situations, including consultation with the NIH EAP Federal Coordinator and/or designated OMS leadership within two hours of notification.
- Support compliance with EAP service requirements, including immediate response to urgent requests, counseling appointments offered within three business days, and timely delivery of requested training and organizational support.
- Identify and coordinate appropriate referrals to community-based mental health professionals and other support resources.
- Provide case management and appropriate follow-up to support continuity of care.
- Support EAP activities associated with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Program in accordance with applicable NIH policies.
- Develop and deliver employee and supervisor training on stress management, workplace communication, conflict resolution, grief, organizational change, and related topics.
- Participate in outreach initiatives designed to increase awareness and utilization of EAP services.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Coordinate with NIH stakeholders to support consistent access to EAP services across designated locations.
- Participate in quality improvement activities and support effective communication and collaboration between contract personnel and federal program leadership.
- Perform other related duties consistent with the scope of the contract.
Specific Knowledge/Certification Requirements Minimum Qualifications
- Master's degree in social work, counseling, or a related field.
- Current clinical licensure as a Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or comparable license recognized by the appropriate licensing authority in the state of practice, consistent with contract requirements.
- Minimum of two years of postgraduate employment providing clinical counseling in a mental health setting.
- Demonstrated experience and skills in clinical triage, short-term counseling, supervisory consultations, crisis management, critical incident stress debriefing, training, outreach activities, and referrals to community resources.
- Strong clinical judgment, interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
- Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary clinical teams, federal stakeholders, and organizational leadership.
- Maintain all required professional licenses and comply with applicable confidentiality, privacy, and professional practice requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- At least one year of experience providing Employee Assistance Program services.
- Experience supporting federal employees or working within a government EAP environment.
- Experience coordinating the work of clinical counselors or behavioral health professionals.
- Familiarity with workplace behavioral health issues, employee relations consultations, and organizational crisis response.
Work Location and Working Conditions
- The primary work location is the NIH Employee Assistance Program office in Bethesda, Maryland.
- This is an onsite leadership position requiring daily presence at the Bethesda office to provide supervision, operational oversight, and coordination with the federal EAP Manager.
- The position involves frequent interaction with EAP consultants, federal personnel, NIH medical leadership, and other designated stakeholders.
- Work is performed primarily in a professional office and clinical counseling environment, with responsibilities involving program coordination, staff supervision, meetings, and administrative oversight.
- May provide supplemental counseling, clinical consultations, and other EAP services through approved virtual platforms based on program needs.
- May involve responding to sensitive, emotionally distressing, or high-risk situations requiring sound clinical judgment, professionalism, and strict confidentiality.
- Duties involve extended periods of sitting, computer use, telephone and virtual communication, and review of clinical and administrative documentation.
- Work is generally performed during established business hours, with flexibility required to address urgent program needs and contract requirements.
Benefits
Herndon Solutions Group (HSG) offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. Benefits available to eligible employees include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contributions
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
- Educational reimbursement opportunities
- Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
- Employee wellness programs
Benefits are subject to applicable plan terms, eligibility requirements, and company policies.