Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Provide, supervise, and coordinate rehabilitation services for Veterans or Servicemembers participating in programs under Chapters 36, 31, 18, and 35 of Title 38 U.S.C.
• Authorize necessary services and benefits, review and approve all service charges, and submit invoices to the Finance Division for payment.
• Deliver case‑management services, including coordination of rehabilitation and employment services, documentation of progress and adjustment, and maintenance of case records in accordance with VA regulations.
• Act as Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) to acquire evaluation, case‑management, employment, and other services required for the rehabilitation process.
• Train and supervise contract service providers to ensure services are appropriate and meet accepted professional standards.
• Assist clients in applying for VA benefits, resolve individual VA benefits issues, refer for medical and mental‑health services, provide transition support, and develop community and on‑campus resources for Veteran students.
• Coordinate all rehabilitation services, make financial decisions, adjust rehabilitation plans, and coordinate employment services.
• Make minor adjustments to rehabilitation plans when necessary to meet the original goals.
• Research community resources and funding opportunities available to consumers.
• Provide comprehensive employment and post‑employment services, including employability assessment and development of an employment assistance plan.
• Obtain written reports on client progress, document progress and adjustment as needed, and maintain case records in compliance with laws and regulations.
• Utilize information from a variety of sources—disability assessments, VA regulations, medical and psychological data, vocational evaluations, and labor‑market information—to inform case decisions.

Promotion Potential

The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Grade progression for this position is GS‑09/11.

Schedule

Full‑time, Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. A compressed/flexible schedule is available. Telework is situational (ad hoc) only; the position is not virtual and the employee must report to the official duty station each scheduled workday.

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• May be required to serve a one‑year probationary period during which performance, conduct, and alignment with agency goals will be evaluated.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Completion of an online onboarding process is required; acceptable identification must be REAL ID‑compliant.
• Relocation/recruitment incentives are not authorized.
• Financial disclosure report is not required.
• No bargaining unit affiliation.

Qualifications

• Time‑in‑grade: For a GS‑09 position, 52 weeks of service at the GS‑07 level are required.
• Education: Undergraduate and graduate study with a major in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or a related field.
• Specialized experience (equivalent to the next lower grade, GS‑07) may include:
  • Obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities.
  • Knowledge of interrelationships among professional and specialist services.
  • Use of counseling methodology and techniques to motivate individuals.
  • Familiarity with vocational‑rehabilitation problems, resources, and adjustment issues for disabled or disadvantaged populations.
  • Experience in vocational guidance, teaching in recognized rehabilitation programs, supervisory work in rehabilitation or training programs, or personnel/employment placement work.
• Minimum qualification for GS‑09:
  • One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS‑07 level, demonstrating knowledge of rehabilitation, counseling, disability, health, employment, wellness, or human‑development theory and principles; or
  • Education substitution: a master’s (or equivalent graduate) degree in a related field, or two full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree.
  • Combination: a mix of specialized experience and education that together meet the requirement.
• Volunteer experience (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) is counted toward qualifying experience.
• Full‑time employment is defined as at least 35 hours per week; part‑time experience is pro‑rated.
• Physical requirements: Primarily office‑based work; occasional travel for training, meetings, or customer interactions.
• Transcripts must be submitted if education is used to qualify; unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application, but official transcripts or equivalent documentation will be required if selected.