Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent employees of the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, including VA Clinics.

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

The Supervisory Social Worker serves within the Social Work Homeless Program at the Quad Cities VA Clinic in Davenport, IA. The incumbent provides comprehensive administrative leadership while also maintaining a reduced active clinical workload within the assigned program. In this dual-function role, the Supervisory Social Worker oversees the daily operations of a small to moderate interdisciplinary team and ensures that all aspects of the program meet VA, VISN, and facility standards for service delivery, documentation, and quality of care.

Major duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for planning, developing, and evaluating program activities, managing workflow, monitoring staff performance, and ensuring that clinical services are delivered efficiently and in alignment with evidence-based practice and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains an advanced clinical practice and carries a caseload appropriate for a GS-12 supervisory clinician. This includes independently conducting complex biopsychosocial assessments, formulating treatment plans, and providing a range of evidence-based therapeutic interventions to Veterans with diverse and often high-acuity needs.
• Applies specialized clinical knowledge to address psychosocial, behavioral, environmental, and systemic barriers that impact Veteran care.
• Ensures that clinical documentation is timely, accurate, and comprehensive, supporting continuity of care and adherence to Joint Commission, CARF, and VHA standards. Their ongoing clinical involvement also serves as a model of professional practice for the staff they supervise.
• Exercises full responsibility for providing clinical supervision and consultation to licensed and unlicensed social workers, including those seeking advanced practice licensure.
• Guides staff in managing complex cases, refining clinical skills, resolving ethical dilemmas, and improving care processes.
• Oversees staff productivity, coordinates assignments, manages leave and coverage, evaluates performance, and addresses performance or conduct issues when necessary.
• Provides orientation, coaching, and ongoing training to social work staff, fostering a culture of learning, ethical practice, and continuous professional growth. They support staff in maintaining clinical competencies and staying informed about emerging practices in social work and Veteran care.
• Leads program development and quality improvement efforts. They review program data, evaluate trends, and use findings to improve workflow, expand services, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the program.
• Develops and implements policies, procedures, and practice guidelines, ensuring consistency with national directives and accreditation standards.
• Prepare required reports, manage budgetary needs, and coordinate with facility leadership to secure resources that support program sustainability.
• Represents the program and Social Work Service on committees, task forces, and workgroups at the facility, VISN, and national level. They maintain strong working relationships with internal clinical services and external agencies, facilitating coordinated care, referrals, and resource access for Veterans and their families.
• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is essential, as the position requires driving to various locations within the community, as well as transporting Veteran in a government vehicle. This includes the ability to navigate different types of roads and terrains while ensuring the safety of oneself and others. The role demands that the candidate hold and maintain a valid driver's license.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc telework available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position.
• 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

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.
• Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may 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 Social Worker, GS-12

1. Education and Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate 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 Supervisory Social Workers 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 of the following KSAs:

(a) Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines.
(b) Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement.
(c) Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services.
(d) Ability to provide staff training and development.
(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.

Preferred Experience: Previous experience with Homeless Veterans, Medicaid, and working with Military Veterans.

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-12.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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:

• 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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
• Clinical resume/CV (Can be longer than 2 pages)
• Resume
• 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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