Supervisory Social Worker Job in Buffalo, NY

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

This Supervisory Social Worker position is located at VA Western New York Healthcare System within the Geriatrics Extended Care (GEC) Service.

The Supervisory Social Worker is full time position with administrative, supervisory, and clinical oversight for all Social Work Staff within Geriatrics and Extended Care. The incumbent independently supervises a group of employees performing work at the GS11 and GS12 level and provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the service. The incumbent performs the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised within established guidelines and performance expectations for staff, clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system.

The incumbent will report to the Care Line Manager but practices independently, exercising initiative and independent judgment in day-to-day activities, performing the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised. Supervision/consultation is of an administrative and professional nature; with the Social Work Executive providing guidance on policy and direction of Social Work Services. In unusual and/or complex administrative and clinical problems, the incumbent initiates consultation with the Chiefs and Service Leads as well as with other authoritative resources at the Medical Center (following proper chain-of command), such as Regional Counsel, Business Services, Fiscal, and Human Resources. His/her work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance with procedures and practices applicable to facility level and national policy.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques, provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance.
• Coordinates the work responsibilities of clinical staff assigned to Medical Social Work.
• Acts as consultant to other team/staff members on the psychosocial treatment of patients treated in specialty areas, rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise and role modeling effective social work practice skills.
• Is knowledgeable in and promotes Recovery Oriented Care Principles, Evidence Based Practice for Social Work, and patient centered care practice with Social Work Staff.
• Participate in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by Social Work Service and Care Line Leadership. May serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility, VISN, and/or VA Central Office levels.
• Works to resolves informal complaints and grievances. Develops work improvement plans and personnel actions as necessary.
• Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area.
• Supervises employees to accomplish work of the organization unit. Exercise's supervisor authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review, as well as the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised.
• Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning, and assessment of Medical Social Work programs. In regard to direct, clinical patient care responsibilities, the incumbent will exercise their approved clinical privileges to screen; assess; and development or contribute to social work treatment plans for Veterans assigned to the Supervisor.
• Provides clinical training supervision to graduate social work students.
• Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests in coordination with other programs
• All other duties assigned

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-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

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 09/05/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12791763.

1. 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.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

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.