Career Center

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g this part) 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: 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 the social worker position GS-0185 series in the VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/ORHM//T38Hybrids
• Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations
• This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level
• For the GS-11 grade level and above - the candidate must be licensed or certified
• At the time of appointment - the supervisor - chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification - including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline
• For appointments at the GS-9 grade level - VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent - master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker
• Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam - and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam
• In states such as California - Washington - and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years - social workers must become licensed at the independent - master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure
• Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases - social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
• Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment
• 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
• 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 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
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to independently organize work - set priorities - and meet multiple deadlines
• Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision - consultation - negotiation with other departments and quality improvement
• Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services
• Ability to provide staff training and development
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees - team leaders - and managers
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and community is required - as is performing activities involving sitting - walking - and standing - bending and carrying such items as books - papers - and files
• In carrying out responsibilities it will be necessary for the incumbent to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans - their families - representatives of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies
• Incumbent must possess and maintain a current valid state driver's license.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Social Work: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Social-Worker-Career-Flyer.pdf Administrative - technical - and clinical supervision of advanced practice - licensed Social Workers and Counselors - Peer Supports - and Administrative Staff
• Performs administrative and personnel management functions including resolution of complaints and grievances
• Enacts disciplinary measures as appropriate
• Monitors staff productivity - maps staff clinical and administrative duties - establishes performance expectations - evaluates performance outcomes and audits clinical documentation
• Develops work improvement plans and ensures that staff are adequately trained and meet competency standards to complete their work duties
• Exercises supervisory authorities and responsibilities involving staff workload including assignment of additional duties
• Determines and evaluates current staffing needs and caseloads and approves or denies time and leave requests
• Serves as the primary case manager for a partial caseload of HUD-VASH clients
• Provides coverage of staff duties as needed and clinical care and case management at the advanced practice level
• Assists in developing personnel documents such as position descriptions and functional statements
• Assists in the hiring process to fill vacant positions to include conducting applicant interviews
• Assures accuracy of programmatic data - conducts necessary reconciliations and audits and oversees data reporting
• Provides training and oversight of data collection systems to include HOMES - CMS - CPRS - MHS - etc
• Performs program analysis - review and design
• Assists in developing new templates - brochures - handbooks - forms - etc
• for each program ensuring compliance with regulatory standards
• Conducts regularly scheduled team meetings and keeps staff apprised of changes in policies and procedures as determined by local leadership - VISN - HPO - and VACO
• Administers informational and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of services provided to Veterans
• Responds to Veteran complaints and grievances specific to each program
• Tracks and ensures completion of program consults and National Hotline calls according to set standards
• Assists HCHV Coordinators with scheduling and oversight of Stand Downs across the state
• Ensures staff compliance with accreditation standards - VA directives and handbooks - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) - and standards developed specific to the program
• Develops working partnerships and coordinates with community partners to meet Veteran care needs
• Establishes strong working relationships with local partners to include but not limited to Volunteers of America - Veterans Inc - Joining Community Forces - Continuums of Care - Public Housing Authorities - Property Managers - HUD - Coordinated Entry Systems - Contract Emergency Shelters - Stand Down providers - Probation & Parole - Veterans Treatment Courts - etc
• Attends National programmatic conference calls and webinars
• Relays critical information and programmatic changes to staff
• Ensures staff follow-up with required National programmatic changes
• Provides new employee training ensuring that staff are adequately trained in their job duties - safety in the field and VA policies and procedures
• Coordinates with VA departments to ensure adequate training and issuance of necessary equipment to include vehicles - cell phones - laptop computers - desktops - etc
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact michael.warner3@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 436-56747-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized