Duties
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w
The incumbent functions as the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Outreach Specialist Coordinator. The incumbent is responsible for street outreach providing direct clinical case management in order to serve homeless Veteran who live unsheltered and/or are in homeless shelters and other emergency room/inpatient services that may become more invisible upon discharge than those homeless veterans who can accept support and more easily move to stable living situations.
The HCHV HUD VASH Program Coordinator:
- builds connections with homeless Veterans through street or unsheltered and shelter outreach to provide intensive ongoing clinical case management and other program support with placement into permanent housing appropriate to the individual need as the goal.
- builds, cultivates connections and coordinates with community partners, stakeholders and other agencies that provide services with goals to end homelessness through outreach, consultation/education about VA services and benefits and will act as liaison between VA and community resources to include marketing and public relation duties as needed
- is responsible for community outreach through agency site visits, participating and organizing VA Stand Downs, attending and participating in community meetings, Continuum of Care, established homeless coalitions and support in creation of homeless coalition(s) within the catchment area and participation in annual Point In Time count.
- gathers and analyzes data to identify trends regarding homelessness reporting as well as adhering to station and VISN reporting requirements and timelines. The incumbent is responsible for completing and reporting after report for Stand Downs that collects data on Veteran and community partner participation. Is responsible for surveys that collects data from community partner participation and Veterans participation with HUD/VASH.
- provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family conference and serves as liaison to family members.
- maintains knowledge of Suicide Prevention policy and procedure, recognizes warning signs for suicide ideation or recent self-directed violence, and utilizes the identified screening tools to assess suicide risk.
Duties are continued in the Education Section of this announcement.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator at visn17edrp2@va.gov for questions/assistance.
Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When 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 experience.
Parental 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 child.
Child 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 $416.66
.
Retirement: 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: This is an onsite position. Telework may be offered when deemed necessary by the department AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 52169F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- 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 trial period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-placement examination.
- Valid driver's license required.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
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 - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
- Education -
You must possess 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 accredited. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work.
- License - You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-0185-12
Licensure Requirement: You must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
Experience Requirement: You must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence; use of clinical social work skills; maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives; acting as an advocate with appropriate community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; independently assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, identifying the patient's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity.
Note: To be equivalent to the GS-11 level, experience must also be earned while being licensed at the independent (master's level) in a U.S. State or Territory.
In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
- Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
- Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
- Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
- Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience in crisis intervention, case management, resources, community referrals and discharge planning
- Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, shelter utilization, housing rules and regulations.
- Experience with working in high stress atmosphere with the ability to adapt and adjust to daily schedule changes with a positive professional attitude.
- Knowledge of addressing and assessing complicated psychosocial problems with those experiencing crisis to include provision of short-term, solution-focused counseling.
- Advanced clinical knowledge with ability to provide consultation of psychosocial needs and concerns to master's level and advance standing professionals. (LCSW Certification is not required).
- Certification in case management is preferred, not required.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements:
Assessment must be made for any acute or chronic medical/physical condition or medication use which interferes with the ability operate the appropriate Government-owned or -leased vehicle safely and without undue risk to themselves or others. The following requirements must be met:
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- distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction,
- field of vision 70 degrees,
- ability to distinguish red, green and amber,
- whispered voice at five feet, or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs. at 500, 1000 and 2,000 Hz.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to provide transcripts may result in non-referral of your application if education cannot be verified.
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 the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Verification 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 work.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Duties Continued:
- provides psychosocial assessments, case management services, individual, family and group counseling as appropriate, continuous quality improvement activities, evaluation/consultation, placement services, and referral and linkage to various community agencies for Veterans who are identified as homeless without means or opportunity to enroll in the HUDVASH program.
- provides a full range of social work services within commonly accepted standards of social work practice which includes case work, motivational interviewing, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate.
- addresses Advance Directives and Organ Donation in accordance with the standards of their work area, provide wellness/prevention education and facilitate Patient/family support groups as appropriate.
- as appropriate, supervises the practice of social work students, or a less experienced social worker.
- coordinates treatment and communicate with the care lines to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans.
- prepares and maintains client records/administrative records and reports in accordance with program guidelines and policies; implements legal and ethical standard of conduct, privacy, and confidentiality.
- participates in administrative, staff, clinical, and in-service meetings at the West Texas VA Health Care System and at other locations as directed by the HCHV Program Manager/Coordinator.
- maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with Joint Commission, CARF, VA and health care system policy and procedures.
- uses business productivity software to execute several office automation function such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, report and memoranda; and transmitting/reducing email.
- uses the VISTA to access information the Medical Center Computer System.
- performs daily operations, develops policies and procedures for program operations, and prepares reports and statistics for SWS, the facility, the VISN and national use.
- collects and submits participant data and the HOMES procedures on a regular basis and complete and comply with all HCHV and VA documentation and reporting requirements.
- performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contract work as possible with various agencies (public, DOD, state, HOMES, etc).
- meets the needs of customers while supporting the WTVAHCS mission.
- provides customer with consistent information according to the established policies and procedures.
- handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
- responds to National Homeless Hotline Call referrals and interfacility consults and phone inquiries from VA staff and community stakeholders to address needs of at-risk Veterans.
- works with health care system multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive for developing more effective and efficient ways of delivering healthcare services to homeless Veterans.
- provides clinical support and provides shared case load support on an as needed basis.
- openly accepts other assignment and/or collateral duties as directed by the HCHV Program Manager/coordinator or Chief of Social Work Service to support the Mission of the WTVAHCS.
- participates in "on call" coverage for Social Work Service.
- takes responsibility for improving professional skills, participating in planning and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested. Completes all required VA training annually. Performs other related duties as assigned. This Social Worker evaluates their own practice on an ongoing basis through participation in professional peer review, case conferences, research studies, or other organized means.
- works with the Homeless Programs Manager/Coordinator and staff to coordinating outreach activities with VA and non-VA programs in the Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Social Work, and other relevant service lines for increased coordination of services.
- In carrying out responsibilities it may be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representative of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. The incumbent must possess current, valid driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed applicable.
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.
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 09/01/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12785219.
- 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.
- 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.
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.