Social Worker-HUD VASH
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dakota Dunes, SD, United States
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must satisfy specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit an 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
United States Citizenship : Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education
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 is fully accredited.
A doctoral degree in social work may not substitute for the master's degree.
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 master 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 practice social work independently at the master’s level.
Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations, but this exception applies only at the GS‑9 grade level.
For the GS‑11 grade level and above – the candidate must be licensed or certified.
Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services.
English Language Proficiency : Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). They may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applies only to current VHA employees).
Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the candidate’s grade.
GS‑9: Experience/Education/Licensure – none beyond the basic requirements.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to utilize a veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors; assess psychosocial functioning and needs; formulate and implement treatment plans; implement treatment modalities; establish effective working relationships; fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, medications, and medical terminology; supporting problem‑solving and crisis intervention techniques.
GS‑11: Minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 level in health care or related settings (VA or non‑VA) and licensure or certification at the independent practice level. A doctoral degree may substitute for the required year of experience under paragraph 3C.OR Education.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; proficiency in psychosocial assessments and interventions; consultation services to new social workers and staff about psychosocial needs.
Duties
Coordinate and provide services for Veterans struggling with homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Operate within a community‑based program delivering services with multiple responsibilities and accountability requirements.
Provide supportive case management services and partner with community agencies to link Veterans to community‑wide housing services.
Deliver psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, individual, group, and family therapy, discharge planning, crisis intervention, case management, and resource development and coordination as clinically indicated.
Develop working relationships with other organizations and directly coordinate with the designated PHA regarding housing voucher application and award processing for each veteran.
Coordinate between Section 8 landlords, PHAs, and the VA to establish appropriate referral sites for patients.
Establish and maintain referral and screening procedures for potential HUD/VASH veteran participants that meet national policy and the needs of medical center health services and residential programs.
Provide referrals to VA medical and mental health inpatient and outpatient treatment and to other VA services, including VA benefits; and to community‑based social services and non‑VA entitlement programs such as Compensated Work Therapy and Supportive Employment.
Maintain and establish new relationships with other community‑based service providers for the homeless and, when appropriate, represent VA at community service provider meetings.
Conduct home visits to the veteran’s residence, when clinically necessary and in accordance with handbooks and directives.
Evaluate the veteran’s situation, abilities, and vulnerability to arrive at a reasoned conclusion for admission priority.
Develop psychosocial treatment plans, actively involving the veteran and their family or significant others in coordination with interdisciplinary team members.
Provide direct mental health and substance abuse services to veterans and family members or significant others in support of the treatment.
Possess a current driver’s license and drive a government vehicle when required for professional duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off 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 for 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 eligible childcare costs for up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Candidates must satisfy specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit an 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
United States Citizenship : Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education
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 is fully accredited.
A doctoral degree in social work may not substitute for the master's degree.
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 master 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 practice social work independently at the master’s level.
Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations, but this exception applies only at the GS‑9 grade level.
For the GS‑11 grade level and above – the candidate must be licensed or certified.
Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Services.
English Language Proficiency : Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). They may qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applies only to current VHA employees).
Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the candidate’s grade.
GS‑9: Experience/Education/Licensure – none beyond the basic requirements.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to utilize a veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors; assess psychosocial functioning and needs; formulate and implement treatment plans; implement treatment modalities; establish effective working relationships; fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses and treatment procedures, including acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, medications, and medical terminology; supporting problem‑solving and crisis intervention techniques.
GS‑11: Minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 level in health care or related settings (VA or non‑VA) and licensure or certification at the independent practice level. A doctoral degree may substitute for the required year of experience under paragraph 3C.OR Education.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; proficiency in psychosocial assessments and interventions; consultation services to new social workers and staff about psychosocial needs.
Duties
Coordinate and provide services for Veterans struggling with homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Operate within a community‑based program delivering services with multiple responsibilities and accountability requirements.
Provide supportive case management services and partner with community agencies to link Veterans to community‑wide housing services.
Deliver psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, individual, group, and family therapy, discharge planning, crisis intervention, case management, and resource development and coordination as clinically indicated.
Develop working relationships with other organizations and directly coordinate with the designated PHA regarding housing voucher application and award processing for each veteran.
Coordinate between Section 8 landlords, PHAs, and the VA to establish appropriate referral sites for patients.
Establish and maintain referral and screening procedures for potential HUD/VASH veteran participants that meet national policy and the needs of medical center health services and residential programs.
Provide referrals to VA medical and mental health inpatient and outpatient treatment and to other VA services, including VA benefits; and to community‑based social services and non‑VA entitlement programs such as Compensated Work Therapy and Supportive Employment.
Maintain and establish new relationships with other community‑based service providers for the homeless and, when appropriate, represent VA at community service provider meetings.
Conduct home visits to the veteran’s residence, when clinically necessary and in accordance with handbooks and directives.
Evaluate the veteran’s situation, abilities, and vulnerability to arrive at a reasoned conclusion for admission priority.
Develop psychosocial treatment plans, actively involving the veteran and their family or significant others in coordination with interdisciplinary team members.
Provide direct mental health and substance abuse services to veterans and family members or significant others in support of the treatment.
Possess a current driver’s license and drive a government vehicle when required for professional duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off 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 for 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 eligible childcare costs for up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
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