Social Worker (HUD-VASH)

Summary MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. Must meet specific eligibility requirements and submit EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program approval - award amount - and eligibility period are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Qualifications This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until filled or September 30 - 2027. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accreditedA doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social workVerification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social workLicensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree levelCurrent state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinationsThis exception only applies at the GS-9 grade levelFor the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certifiedAt the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadlineFailure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointmentFailure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employmentLoss of Licensure or Certification: Once licensed or certified - social workers must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employmentLoss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employmentEnglish Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Grade Determinations: Social Worker - GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirementsIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivorsAbility to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - and to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the Veterans problems - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance neededAbility to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to achieve treatment goalsThis requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniquesAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agenciesFundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment proceduresThis includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuriescommon medications and their effects/side effectsand medical terminologySocial Worker - GS-11 Experience and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings - (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice levelNOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3cOR Education: In addition to meeting basic requirements - a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical settingIn addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate servicesSkill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgroundsKnowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.eacute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment planSkill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - medical - and social problems to achieve treatment goalsAbility to provide consultation services to new social workers - social work graduate students - and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatmentPreferred Experience: Experience with homeless population - VA experience - and case management experienceReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11Physical Requirements: This work requires light lifting (under 15lbs) - moderate carrying (15-44lbs) - use of fingers - walking - standing - operation of motor vehicle - near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - Hearing (aid may be permitted) - and emotional/mental stabilityEnvironmental factors are working outside and inside - dry atmospheric conditions - working closely with others - and working alone. Duties This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until filled or September 30 - 2027All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basisTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Part of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program - providing intensive case management and mental health services to Veterans experiencing housing instability and other economic challengesHUD-VASH utilizes a Housing First evidence-based clinical practice that centers on rapid housing for homeless people with high service needs - providing comprehensive case management - and supportive services to assist Veterans sustain housingServes a large catchment area and provides community-based services to Veterans who struggle with housing and employment stability related to complex socioeconomic factorsDuties will vary by grade level - but at the GS-11: Provides direct care in the community and home settingsProvides intensive case management and mental health servicesProvides evidence-based practice treatment to Veterans consistent with Housing First and Critical Time Intervention modelsUses evidence-based treatment modalities that are effective with the homeless populationUses evidence-based practice techniques to engage Veterans in setting individualized treatment planning goals and will monitor progress over timeAssigned as a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for assigned caseload and will provide expert case management servicesExpert on VA and community resourcesUses knowledge of medical and mental health diagnosis - disabilities - and treatment proceduresCollaborative and participating member of the multidisciplinary HUD-VASH teamWorks with vulnerable Veterans with underlying chronic medical or mental health conditions that will substantially impact Veteran's lifeProvides outreach to Veterans to assist with housing searches and housing retentionCompletes comprehensive assessments and collaborative safety plans when clinically indicatedProvides follow up to Veterans who fail to attend appointments and consults as needed to ensure the safety and welfare of all VeteransProvide health promotion educationUses the VA Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES) databaseProvides consultation services to new social workers - social work graduate students - and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatmentOther duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentivePosition listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement programApplicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offerThe selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointmentProgram approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) - and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP applicationFormer EDRP participants are ineligible to applyContact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistanceLearn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior work experience or military service experienceParental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a childChild Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized