Social Worker

Summary Senior social workers assigned to the HUD-VASH program have specialized clinical expertise in an area applicable to the HUD-VASH program, such as care to Veterans experiencing homelessness, care to Veterans recovering from trauma, experience in the treatment of mental illness or experience with evidence-based treatment modalities. Duties Help The Social Worker (HUD-VASH) is responsible for (but not limited to): Providing leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education program Clinical program development and accountability for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. Incorporates complex multiple causations in differential diagnoses and treatments. Responsible for completing the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C- SSRS) and if applicable the Comprehensive Suicide Risk Evaluation (CSRE). Performs site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes. Coordinates services related to obtaining and maintaining housing including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery and linking and referring veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies. Complies with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct so as to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as the HUD-VASH Case Manager. Participates in the HUD-VASH Program conference calls and attends training offered by the HUD-VASH. Follows local policy and SOP for the HUD- VASH Program. This includes following policies and documentation requirements as required for Joint Commission accreditation. Participates in program planning and development, advising the supervisor of shifting trends with housing resources and identifying the need for and making recommendations on program procedure or policy changes based upon work experiences. Improves professional skills, participating in planning, and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested. Coordinates all activities related to obtaining and maintaining housing for Veteran participants. Educates prospective landlords of the HUD-VASH program; and maintain good public relations with landlords and developers in the community. Assists Veterans with applications for various rental assistance resources including print and Internet resources; and with housing searches that meet the minimum qualifications per Public Housing Administration (PHA). Participates in the interviewing process of HUD-VASH participants to determine eligibility and a needs assessment. Works closely and collaborate with the HUD-VASH Case Managers, WVAMC staff, Community Partners, Landlords, Veterans, and PHA staff. Assists with negotiating various aspects of maintaining housing such as utility bills, and monthly lease amounts. Counsels Veteran applicants on housing eligibility and assist Veterans and landlords in the leasing process, as well monitor units under lease. Assists Veterans with housing related issues relevant to obtaining/fulfilling lease requirements such as initial household set up, budgeting, housekeeping, health, safety/security concerns, contacting the landlord about repairs and other problems in the home. Assists, guide, and refer HUD-VASH participants and non-HUD- VASH eligible Veterans to other resources as needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Help Conditions of employment NOTE: Prior to accepting a final employment offer, all selected applicants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding deployment responsibilities You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Must possess a valid, unrestricted state driver's license. 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 (). 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). Must be able to meet physical demands which include strenuous physical activity to include carrying persons and equipment, walking long distances over difficult terrain, running, climbing, working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions, long periods of standing, and bending and stooping. 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-year 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. Note: 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 to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. Experience: At least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment and are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred ExperienceAt least two years of specialized experience in community social work practices, preferably in VA Homeless Services. . Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Additional information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.