Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist participates in the planning, review and evaluation of proposed therapy programs at the inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC). The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for assisting other section supervisors in scheduling the patient's treatment program. The Supervisor manages the weekly/daily staff teaching schedule and patient assignments for the department. Supervises a staff of employees to accomplish the work of the organizational unit; assigns and reviews work as well as the administrative and personnel management functions. The Supervisor identifies developmental and training needs for instructors and provides provisions for appropriate training. The Supervisor assigns departmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of these duties. It is the responsibility of the Supervisor to resolve instructor problems or complaints, and to advise, counsel, and instruct these employees on both work and administrative matters. The Supervisor is also responsible for dealing with grievances, disciplinary problems or conflicts involving other instructors.

The Supervisor is responsible for counseling staff in matters of performance, meeting on a regular basis to encourage personal and professional growth and increased involvement in the rehabilitation program. Periodic performance appraisals provide both the instructors and the supervisor with a formal opportunity to set goals and discuss individual performance. The Supervisor schedules, plans, and coordinates training programs for family members and visitors. The Supervisor educates visitors and family members about the Blind Rehabilitation Program. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• 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 Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

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.
• You must be proficient in the English Language.

Education: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education, or health care (Transcripts Required);OR,A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined above) that included or was supplemented by at least one of the following:
At least 30 semester hours of directly related, upper level undergraduate courses (e.g., at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university).
(Transcripts Required)OR
,One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours).(Transcripts Required)OR,A certificate in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy or low vision therapy from an accredited college or university and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree.

Certification:
(1) Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. Certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation.
NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below:

1. BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows:
2. Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®).
3. Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®).
4. [(d) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®).

GS-12 Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of 1 year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the KSAs required for the specific assignment and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs. Specialized experience for this position include: Ability to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs; Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas; Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities; Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor; Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders; Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors; Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short term and long range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources.


The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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:

• License
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

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.

• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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

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