Social Worker

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Telework available

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a social worker to support homeless Veterans through HUD-VASH and related programs. The role emphasizes direct outreach, case coordination, and collaborative care within the VA homeless programs.

The ideal candidate has an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, is licensed to practice social work, and can coordinate with community partners. Telework is available on an ad-hoc basis under VA policies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Must be licensed or certified to independently practice social work at the master’s level.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Participate in HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) meetings and planning efforts.
• Provide direct linkage from community services to VHA homeless program services.
• Develop partnerships with community agencies with regular contact.
• Provide clinical documentation for all contacts with Veterans engaged through outreach.

Skills

Veteran-centric approach

Psychosocial assessment

Crisis intervention

Interagency collaboration

Communication with clients and staff

Education

MSW from CSWE-accredited program

Tools

HMIS/HOMES data standards

Legal/ethical documentation

Job description

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

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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:Social Worker - GS-9 Experience - Education - and Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivors
• Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - and to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the Veterans problems - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
• Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to achieve treatment goals
• This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies
• Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures
• This includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuries
• common medications and their effects/side effects
• and medical terminology
• GS-11 Experience and Licensure
• Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings - (VA or non VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level
• OR Education
• In addition to meeting basic requirements - a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources - how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services - and ability to coordinate services
• Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic - educational - and other backgrounds
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e
• acute - chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries - common medications and their effects/side effects - and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan
• Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric - 8 medical - and social problems to achieve treatment goals
• Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers - social work graduate students - and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment
• Preferred Experience: One year of experience working with people who are experiencing homelessness
• 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 11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 11
• Physical Requirements: Position is primarily sitting and standing but does require some bending - pulling - lifting up to 25lbs
• The incumbent must possess and maintain a current - valid state driver's license.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
• Major duties and responsibilities: A
• Participate in HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) meetings and planning efforts which may include leadership roles within the CoC group
• B
• Provide direct linkage from community services to VHA homeless program services through regular and consistent outreach and communication with community providers
• This includes - but is not limited to - direct linkage to VA mental health services for those Veterans who are at high risk for suicide
• C
• Participate in case conferencing process within the CoC's coordinated entry system to help inform and facilitate referrals to VA programs such as HUD-VASH - SSVF - HCHV CRS - and GPD
• D
• Ensures efficient sharing of Veteran data and program information - as allowable under VA Privacy and Information Security policies and Directives
• This will include knowledge of HMIS and HOMES data standards - data sharing and privacy authorities - HUD guidance - and other applicable documents or established guidance
• E
• Provide support to the VA homeless program teams as a functional member of the team - to include participation in outreach activities and subject matter consultation on community involved interventions for homeless Veterans
• F
• Develop partnerships with community agencies with regular contact and communication
• G
• Provide appropriate clinical documentation for all contacts with or about Veterans who are engaged through outreach services - HUD VASH or coordinated Entry System
• H
• Provide recovery-oriented and housing first services in outreach and to the caseload of HUD VASH Veterans - with the goal of establishing the Veteran independently in the community at the Veteran's highest level of functioning
• I
• Performs site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes
• J
• Transport veterans in government vehicles in support of meeting the goals identified in the veteran's recovery plan
• The employee will adhere to the requirements and guidance offered in ECHCS Policy 00-104 - "Transporting Patients in Government Vehicles." K
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Anthony Salas ([e-mail]). - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 #: GS-9: 554-616300 - GS-11: 554-616310 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized