Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees in the St. Louis VA Health Care System.

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Manage and provide oversight for multiple program components and/or multiple locations.
• Leads, coordinates, and manages all aspects of a clinical rehabilitation service delivery system within the organization assigned.
• Provide advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both clinical and administrative matters.
• Serve as the Affiliate Coordinator for Graduate Trainee Educational Affiliation Agreements and directs clinical trainee program for trainees in Rehabilitation Counseling assigned to VHA Voc Rehab.
• Manage personnel in accordance with applicable laws, policies, directives, and labor and management agreements.
• Provide direction and guidance in accomplishing major milestones, goals, and objectives.
• Determine which programs and projects should be initiated, expanded, revised, or replaced through systematic analyses, program evaluations, and accountability measures.
• Estimate budgetary needs based on history, anticipated workload, resource need, and the workload capacity of the VHA Voc Rehab Service and makes justified requests or proposals.
• Provide leadership in a wide range of areas affecting the management and operations of VHA Voc Rehab, including such areas as clinical specialties, finance, accountability, oversight of work performed by program staff, consultation, negotiation and monitoring to successfully operate and enhance all programs.
• Perform other related duties assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: This position is authorized for telework but has not been authorized as virtual or remote (i.e., the employee must be able to work at the location the position is being announced for). VA Supports the use of telework to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. Telework eligibility may be discussed during the interview process.
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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.
  • (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). 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).
    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.
    OR
    (4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
• Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.
  • Loss of Certification. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
• 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: Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-13

1. Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
   1. Skilled in program management/administration of a wide range of rehabilitation programs, including such areas as clinical specialties, finance, accountability, oversight of work performed by program staff, consultation, negotiation and monitoring to successfully operate and enhance all programs.
   2. Ability to provide individual and group training, orientation, consultation and guidance within clinical specialization of rehabilitation counseling practice to develop, improve and maintain programming.
   3. Ability to monitor program outcomes using a data driven quality assurance process to make decisions associated with program management and the development of productivity standards appropriate to the service provided.
   4. Ability to translate leadership goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work processes for effective program operations.
   5. Extensive knowledge of all legal guidelines governing the operation of CWT programs, their scope and their effect on clinical programming and service delivery.
   6. Skill in leading others, assess employee strengths, opportunities for growth and qualifications to accomplish program goals, adapt work operations and guide staff.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: The work requires reaching, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. You will be required to assist patients with a variety of medical conditions and/or disabilities. Associated duties require stopping, bending, lifting, climbing, and securing patients, oxygen, and wheelchairs, with appropriate securing devices. Lifts and carries objects weighing up to 15 pounds. You must follow prescribed safety procedures using appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving of heavy objects.

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:

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

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.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• 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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