Social Worker - Health Care for Homeless Veterans Referral Specialist
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Walla Walla, WA, United States
Summary
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The first cut‑off dates for referral of eligible applications will be 4/30/2026. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager no later than 5/8/2026. Eligible applications received after 4/30/2026 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met. To qualify, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
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 of this part
English Language Proficiency
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
Education
Master’s degree in Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Graduates of schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until full accreditation is achieved
A doctoral degree in Social Work may not substitute for the master’s degree
Verification can be made at http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation
Licensure/Certification
Licensed or certified by a state to practice social work at the master’s level
Current state requirements available at http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
Exception: for GS‑9 the requirement may be waived pending completion of state prerequisites
For GS‑11 and above the candidate must be licensed or certified
Other Qualifications (granted to current VHA employees only)
Grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
Ability to work with diverse Veterans and families using counseling skills
Assess psychosocial functioning, formulate and implement treatment plans
Implement treatment modalities for individuals, families, and groups
Establish effective working relationships with clients, staff, and community agencies
Fundamental knowledge of medical/mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and terminology
Duties
Respond to incoming referrals for homeless programs
Gather Veteran clinical information and facilitate assessments
Assist with benefits applications and negotiate service systems
Coordinate placements in therapeutic housing and other residence options
Maintain interest lists for all homeless programs and prioritize per program requirements
Respond to NCCHV hotline referrals within appropriate timeframes
Provide assessment, psychotherapeutic, and training services
Make evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning
Define problems and maintain counseling relationships using advanced counseling skills
Establish treatment goals collaboratively with patients
Provide direct psychological treatment services including intake assessment, treatment plan development, therapy, case management, education, advocacy, and support group leadership
Offer crisis intervention and stabilization for patients in distress
Use individual, group, or family counseling interventions and demonstrate sensitivity to diversity
Develop psycho‑education groups on life skills, family support, and community integration
Make DSM diagnoses and formulate treatment plans using DSM‑5
Provide consultation to colleagues, students, and staff on counseling processes
Supervise graduate LPMHC students or other human services students as directed by leadership
Record clinical information in the electronic medical record and collect statistical data
Participate in community or field activities to coordinate care resources
Benefits & Miscellaneous
Competitive salary with regular increases
37‑50 days of annual paid time off (13‑26 days leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays)
Parental leave up to 12 weeks paid following 12 months employment
Child‑care subsidy up to 25% of eligible costs after 60 days employment
Federal pension, 401(k) with up to 5% contribution, health/vision/dental/term life insurance
Telework not available (ad‑hoc virtual only)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The first cut‑off dates for referral of eligible applications will be 4/30/2026. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager no later than 5/8/2026. Eligible applications received after 4/30/2026 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met. To qualify, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
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 of this part
English Language Proficiency
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
Education
Master’s degree in Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Graduates of schools in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until full accreditation is achieved
A doctoral degree in Social Work may not substitute for the master’s degree
Verification can be made at http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation
Licensure/Certification
Licensed or certified by a state to practice social work at the master’s level
Current state requirements available at http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/
Exception: for GS‑9 the requirement may be waived pending completion of state prerequisites
For GS‑11 and above the candidate must be licensed or certified
Other Qualifications (granted to current VHA employees only)
Grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
Ability to work with diverse Veterans and families using counseling skills
Assess psychosocial functioning, formulate and implement treatment plans
Implement treatment modalities for individuals, families, and groups
Establish effective working relationships with clients, staff, and community agencies
Fundamental knowledge of medical/mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, medications, and terminology
Duties
Respond to incoming referrals for homeless programs
Gather Veteran clinical information and facilitate assessments
Assist with benefits applications and negotiate service systems
Coordinate placements in therapeutic housing and other residence options
Maintain interest lists for all homeless programs and prioritize per program requirements
Respond to NCCHV hotline referrals within appropriate timeframes
Provide assessment, psychotherapeutic, and training services
Make evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning
Define problems and maintain counseling relationships using advanced counseling skills
Establish treatment goals collaboratively with patients
Provide direct psychological treatment services including intake assessment, treatment plan development, therapy, case management, education, advocacy, and support group leadership
Offer crisis intervention and stabilization for patients in distress
Use individual, group, or family counseling interventions and demonstrate sensitivity to diversity
Develop psycho‑education groups on life skills, family support, and community integration
Make DSM diagnoses and formulate treatment plans using DSM‑5
Provide consultation to colleagues, students, and staff on counseling processes
Supervise graduate LPMHC students or other human services students as directed by leadership
Record clinical information in the electronic medical record and collect statistical data
Participate in community or field activities to coordinate care resources
Benefits & Miscellaneous
Competitive salary with regular increases
37‑50 days of annual paid time off (13‑26 days leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays)
Parental leave up to 12 weeks paid following 12 months employment
Child‑care subsidy up to 25% of eligible costs after 60 days employment
Federal pension, 401(k) with up to 5% contribution, health/vision/dental/term life insurance
Telework not available (ad‑hoc virtual only)
#J-18808-Ljbffr