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:
Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States.
English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Serving as a full assistant to the chief social work service for both administrative and professional practice of a small to moderately complex social work service within a healthcare organization; responsible for supporting clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision, and organizational stewardship for the social work program per the direction of the chief. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment.
Licensure/Certification. The assistant service chief must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills, must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions, clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments, and quality improvement.
- Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to social work practice.
- Ability to develop, maintain, and oversee social work programs in all settings.
- Knowledge of social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.
- Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements.
Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This position is restricted to those serving as a full assistant to the chief social work service for both administrative and professional practice. These individuals share with the chief full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations. At the GS-13 grade level, individuals are typically assigned as assistant chief of a large complex social work service within the organization that offers social work services at VHA facilities with one or more divisions. While the chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision, and organizational stewardship for the social work program, the assistant chief is responsible for supporting these functions per the direction of the chief. In the absence of the social work chief, the assistant chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for the social work program. The assistant chief provides supervision to a moderate social work service and staff, members of different grades that may include multiple disciplines; treatment sites are limited and in close proximity to the medical center, and programs are with limited administrative oversite responsibility. Such facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. The assistant chief develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and are in compliance with regulations. The assistant chief has responsibility for utilization of resources and budget. They make selections, assign personnel, and serve as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential.]
Preferred Experience: Must have three (3) years of supervisory experience in social work.
Reference: Meets the qualification standard for the GS 13 Senior Social Worker as defined in VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA-specific qualification standards: please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is a 13.
Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional travel. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self-awareness is essential.