Social Worker (Program Manager) - Homeless Program

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This position is only open to current, permanent employees in the Mental Health Department at Kansas City VAMC.

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

Duties include but are not limited to:

Program Management & Oversight

• Leads and manages the full Homeless Program across the Kansas City VA Medical Center, nine CBOCs, and extensive community settings, ensuring compliance with facility, VISN, and national directives.
• Oversees implementation and integration of major specialty programs including Grant Per Diem, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, Coordinated Entry, Homeless Outreach, HUD-VASH, Homeless Veterans Community Employment Services, Veterans Justice Program, and Healthcare for Reentry Veterans.
• Directly manages program operations, criteria development, staffing assignments, and clinical services meeting VA homeless program standards.

System-Level Leadership

• Develops policies, procedures, and system-wide strategies to enhance service delivery for homeless and at-risk Veterans.
• Provides oversight and consultation across multiple facilities and agencies, including VISN, HPO/VACO, and external partners; may interface with congressional offices.
• Chairs the Kansas City "One Team," driving process improvement, community policy development, coordinated outreach, and Functional Zero initiatives.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Collaborates with federal, state, local, and community stakeholders; conducts onsite oversight of Veteran Treatment Courts and community partnerships.
• Leads outreach efforts to unsheltered Veterans and participates in Stand Down and community engagement events.

Data Analytics & Evaluation

• Conducts system-wide analysis of program data to identify trends, gaps, service needs, and outcomes; uses data to inform program development and strategic planning.
• Maintains computerized reporting and monitors compliance with national and VISN performance measures.

Compliance & Training

• Develops and monitors compliance with operational practices, standards, licensure requirements, VA-OIG expectations, and Joint Commission standards.
• Designs and delivers national, VISN, local, and community partner training programs related to homelessness services and system-level practices.

Budget & Resource Management

• Oversees and allocates approximately $9.6 million annually across multiple homeless programs, including contracts, grants, salaries, and general-purpose funds.

Recruitment, Retention & Supervision

• Supervises 30+ multidisciplinary staff and provides leadership for 70+ Mental Health Social Workers across the service line.
• Leads recruitment, retention, training, performance evaluation, and professional development efforts for Social Workers and Homeless Program staff.

Clinical Duties

• Provides advanced clinical assessment, outreach, crisis intervention, and evidence-based treatment for highly complex homeless and justice-involved Veterans.
• Coordinates care across VA and community systems and consults with providers on complex homelessness-related psychosocial issues.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 pm
Telework: Adhoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• Education: 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 accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. 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.
• Licensure: 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 level. Current state requirements may be found by going to SW Licensure by State
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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

Social Worker (Program Manager), GS-14

(1) Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS- 13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Individual may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.

(2) Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

(a) Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites, which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
(b) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
(c) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.
(d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.
(e) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluations; selection of staff, training, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary action.
(f) Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
(g) Skill in developing policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program and in participating in national program development.
(h) Ability to collaborate with internal VHA partners, locally and on a national level, as well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care.

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 14.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to read fine print and view a computer screen; frequently use a computer/laptop, keyboard and mouse; speak and hear well enough to understand, respond and communicate clearly in person and on the telephone; possess independent body mobility sufficient to stand, sit, walk, stoop, bend, reach, twist and push to access the work environment, workshop and a standard office environment; manual dexterity and sufficient use of hands, arms and shoulders to operate a keyboard and write; ability to sit or walk for prolonged periods of time; lift or carry items weighing up to 40 pounds; and regularly drive a government motor vehicle to attend meetings and visit clients if applicable.

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.

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

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• 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.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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