Rehabilitation Counselor (Substance Abuse Disorders) Job in Harlingen, TX

Vacancy No. CAZM-12239813-24-JRH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $57,118.00 to $89,835.00 Grade 9 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/8/2023 Close Date 12/6/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Harlingen, TX


Summary

Rehabilitation Counselors in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) work with persons who experience functional impairments and disabilities associated with mental health, Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), physical, and/or psychosocial challenges affecting employment, independent living, or personal adjustment.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens. If you are a (Current & Permanent) Federal Employee or (Current or Former) Participant of a VA Health Profession Trainee Program, please apply to our Internal Announcement: CAZM-12239812-24-JRH.

Duties

Rehabilitation Counselors utilize various professional counseling and clinical modalities to promote and support optimal functioning, independence, personal adjustment, adaptation to disability, community reintegration, and recover. Rehabilitation Counselors work with an interdisciplinary team to provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling services to Veterans with disabilities, including assessment, counselling and case management services, development of rehabilitation plans, and assistance in attaining and maintaining employment, independent living, and attaining personal goals. Rehabilitation Counselors are nationally certified as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) and be State licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors. Rehabilitation Counselors may be designated as a licensed independent provider (LIP) when they hold State licensure and are included as a LIP in their VA medical center bylaws.


In this role, the Rehabilitation Counselor will operate within the Compensated Work Therapy - Supported Employment (CWT-SE) model under the umbrella of the Vocational Rehabilitation Service and ultimately the Recovery Services Program. CWT-SE is a clinical model that helps individuals with serious mental illness or physical impairments co-occurring with mental illness engage in competitive employment in the community. This position will place additional emphasis on serving individuals with co-occurring mental health and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).

The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor is a key treatment team member focused on employment issues. Typically, 60 to 75 percent of the SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor's time is spent in the community providing employment services, engaging with Veterans, developing jobs, and supporting employers and Veterans. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor helps Veterans find jobs appropriate for their interest and abilities as quickly as possible, identifies and addresses employment barriers, facilitates workplace accommodations, and provides ongoing community support as needed. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor interacts with businesses for competitive job development, job matching and employment services, and communicates with employers, the community, treatment staff, and Veterans and their families. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor has an active caseload of 20 to 25 Veterans at any time.

Supported Employment services entail assessment, job development, job matching, job placement, employer contacts, and on the job support, as well as crisis management by the SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor and mental health support teams. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor has the authority to develop partnerships with both public entities and private sec businesses, working closely with the VA Contracting Official to ensure appropriate MOUs and MOAs are in place.


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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 Policy.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Education.
(1) A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Directory - CACREP. If your degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.
OR
(2) A master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org)
OR
(3) A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org).
OR
(4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Home - CRCC COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION (crccertification.com).

Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation
counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.

Exceptions for Graduate RCs.
(a) RC graduates from an approved counseling or rehabilitation counseling program who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and the additional degree requirements for CRC certification by the CRCC, but do not possess the required certification, may be appointed, pending certification, as a graduate RC on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D).
(b) Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
(c) Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the
following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-09

(1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of human development and behavior, medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of disability and differential influences of environmental and cultural factors to assist persons with disabilities in determining suitable vocational goals.
(b) Knowledge of history, philosophy and disability rights legislation in the field of rehabilitation to apply in the practice of rehabilitation counseling.
(c) Ability to synthesize assessment and diagnosis information in conjunction with labor market trends and community/educational resources to develop an effective individual service delivery plan.
(d) Knowledge of caseload management strategies to maximize an individual's independent functioning from assessment through provision of post-employment services.
(e) Ability to employ person-centered job development strategies to facilitate successful job placement.
(f) Knowledge of assessment tools and methods, functional capacity evaluations and specific vocational preparation to evaluate transferrable skills, residual capacities and needs for accommodations and assistive technology.

(3) GS-9 Assignment. Employees at this level serve as entry level RCs. Provide vocational and personal adjustment counseling, case management and transferrable skills analyses to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in pursuit of their self-determined employment, educational and independent living goals. Conduct assessments through record reviews, observations and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate and document personal, vocational and educational histories. Customize evaluation of abilities, aptitudes, interests, values and preferences. Assist Veterans in vocational exploration activities to include informational interviews and labor market research. Examine the impact of employment income on Veteran's benefits. In coordination with Veteran's interdisciplinary teams (IDT), develop and amend patient-centered treatment plans utilizing specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic and time-based (SMART) goals. Promote employment programs to community employers to establish relationships that will result in providing work opportunities for Veterans with significant behavioral, physical, emotional and/or cognitive challenges under the general supervision of certified RCs. Conduct outreach and job development to match Veterans strengths to local workforce needs. Facilitate job placement for Veterans by teaching valuable job search skills, resume/application development, interview skills and basic computer skills. Coordinate transportation to interviews/hiring events. Complete job analyses to facilitate job coaching and retention services to aid Veterans in learning and maintaining proficiency in performance of essential job tasks. Counsel Veterans regarding importance of soft skills (e.g. personal hygiene, cooperation with coworkers,
and following instructions) when employed to enhance job satisfaction and foster natural supports in the workplace. Coordinate job search clubs for Veterans to improve in self-directed job search activities. Complete clinical charting and participate in professional peer reviews.

Qualifications are continued in the Education section of this announcement.



Education

Qualifications Continued:

Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-11

(1) Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
OR
(2) Education. A doctoral degree in rehabilitation counselor education or related field (e.g. rehabilitation psychology) from a CACREP accredited institution or from an institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities, appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate and reduce or
eliminate barriers to integrate into the community.
(b) Knowledge of counseling theory, medical and psychiatric terminology and signs and symptomology of suicidal and homicidal ideations, to communicate appropriately with community health care professionals to provide useful input to other team members and employers in relation to the Veteran and/or his/her family's psychosocial needs and to recommend and help implement suitable treatment plans.
(c) Ability to use evidence-based and evidence informed vocational and professional counseling practices to include individual placement and support (IPS), customized employment and supported employment models and motivational interviewing skills to promote self-awareness, adjustment to disability, enhanced job retention and successful integration to the community.
(d) Knowledge of career development processes and job analysis methodology to determine essential functions of jobs, worksite modifications and/or alternative vocational goals given the work history and residual functional capacities of individuals with disabilities.
(e) Ability to administer and interpret a wide variety of assessment methods including transferrable skills and labor market analyses to evaluate for individual interests, aptitudes and abilities and to identify suitable vocational goals for the development of an effective individual service delivery plan.
(f) Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships/Memorandums of Agreement within VA and local business
community to enhance employment and/or work opportunities.
(g) Knowledge of military culture and specific factors and dynamics associated with Veterans, particularly combat Veterans, to assist those who are returning to community and community based-work.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G62, Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standard, date July 21, 2020.

Physical Requirements: There are no set physical requirements for this occupation. The ability to communicate and cognitive/mental stability will be needed to perform the duties of this position.

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience, in an official capacity, providing vocational rehabilitation services
  • Experience providing community-based case management/clinical services
  • Experience working with an integrated disciplinary mental health clinical
    team
  • Experience in leading and/or contributing to programmatic components (i.e.,
    development) of service
  • Experience building community partnerships in formal position
  • Experience providing recovery-oriented substance abuse treatment services



Education.
(1) A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling
from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation
of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Directory - CACREP. If the applicant's
degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the
Council on Rehabilitation Education.
OR
(2) A master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or
university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council
for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org)
OR
(3) A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that
emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment,
wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a
national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org).
OR
(4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification (CRCC) Home - CRCC COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION (crccertification.com).

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by, CACREP Directory - CACREP the U.S. Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Department of education website http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.


Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • Transcript


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Diploma/ GED
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • OF-306
  • Copy of CRC Certification from the CRCC
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Other (4)
  • Other (5)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Proof of Enrollment
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/06/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12239813.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
Address
VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS
2601 Veterans Drive
Harlingen, TX 78550
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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