Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Open to all federal employees.

Duties are but not limited to:

Program Leadership & Administration

• Directs organization, administration, planning, and evaluation of all vocational rehabilitation programs.
• Ensures fiscal integrity, manages multiple fund control points, oversees procurement, billing, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Develops SOPs for vocational services and ensures compliance with VA, VISN, accreditation bodies, and local policies.
• Conducts program evaluation, data analysis, and prepares required reports for VA Central Office and local leadership.

Clinical Duties

• Performs counseling, crisis management, suicide/homicide risk assessments, safety planning, and psychological assessments.
• Provides clinical consultation to staff and responds to Veteran complaints.
• Delivers evidence-based therapeutic modalities to support Veterans' employment and functional independence.

Veteran Employment & Community Engagement

• Manages evaluation and placement of Veterans facing homelessness, mental health issues, and substance use disorders into employment and stable housing.
• Serves as liaison to employers, community partners, service organizations, and agencies.
• Conducts outreach, marketing, and develops community resources and agreements to enhance employment opportunities.

Supervision & Staff Management

• Supervises multidisciplinary staff across multiple vocational programs.
• Plans and assigns work, evaluates performance, provides training and counseling, selects candidates, and manages disciplinary actions.
• Identifies staff development needs and arranges training.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Establishes program goals, priorities, and admission criteria.
• Ensures integration with medical center operations and community agencies.
• Maintains compliance with Joint Commission, CARF, OIG, and research fidelity models.
• Ensures documentation meets all required standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinates public affairs activities related to unemployment and vocational rehabilitation.
• Participates in program conference calls, updates handbooks, and resolves staff concerns.
• Performs other administrative and programmatic duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30am- 4pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:56293F

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 examination.
• 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.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Texas and Federal Driver License to operate a government vehicle.

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

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. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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.

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).

Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-13
Experience: Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill in leading others, assessing employee strengths, opportunities for growth and qualifications to accomplish program goals, adapt work operations and guide staff. (b) Knowledge of labor/management agreements and how to follow their provisions to effectively manage issues and concerns. (c) Knowledge of applicable accreditation bodies and their standards to ensure continuous compliance and successful maintenance of program accreditations. (d) Ability to use both qualitative and quantitative methods for the development and implementation of meaningful program evaluation tools, study of program trends and program improvement. (e) Knowledge of business administration practices such as managing payroll, accounting, budget planning, marketing, workforce development and customer service to successfully operate a rehabilitation program.

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory RCs typically supervise a significant number of professional staff at the SE/Mentor Trainer and RC (Coordinator) level and below as well as other equivalent clinical staff. Lead, coordinate and manage all aspects of a clinical rehabilitation service delivery system within an organization. Supervise daily operations to include coordinating interdisciplinary staffing, treatment services, work assignments, budget, staff schedules, safety in the community, training requirements and conducts meetings. Determine which programs/projects should be initiated, expanded, revised or replaced through systematic analyses, program evaluations and accountability measures. Develop and revise comprehensive policies, risk management and strategic plans based on feedback from stakeholders, accrediting bodies and program evaluation data. Allocate program resources to improve quality and delivery of care provided to Veterans while considering staff talents and achieving program mission. Establish staff performance expectations and conduct staff work performance reviews. Effect disciplinary measures as appropriate based on the authority delegated to this area. Write position descriptions and/or functional statements and recommend or select for positions, career ladder promotions, withingrade increases, status changes, awards, staff travel and overtime. Maintain effective labor/management relationships and manage personnel in accordance with applicable laws, policies, directives and labor/management agreements. Resolve formal and informal complaints and grievances. Project budget based on historical and anticipated workload taking into consideration the production capability of the unit to make justified requests or proposals. Oversee the maintenance of billings, payroll, pay records, specific to the CWT-TW program and the accuracy of all financial reports connected with the program which are submitted to VACO. Maintain oversight of the administrative and programmatic resource allocations (e.g., budgets, purchasing, labor mapping) within the VHA Vocational Rehabilitation (VHA VR) programs, including oversight for Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) related to CWT-TW. Maintain accounting controls, functions as an approving official for purchase cards and fund control points.

Preferred Experience:

• 3+ Years of Vocational Rehabilitation Experience Active CRC License or Equivalent.
• 3+ Years of Leadership Experience.
• Experience serving Veterans with Mental Health Issues and/or Homelessness.
• Experience with Individual Placement and Supports Model.

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: Light lifting: under 15 pounds; straight pulling (up to 1 hour); pushing (1- 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (up to 3 hours); standing (up to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 1 hour); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required for depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted); climbing stairs; mentally alert; both legs required for operation of motor vehicle; and frequent keyboarding to operate a computer.

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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• 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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