Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) to support HUD-VASH housing and outreach for Veterans, working within the Community Outreach Division of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service.

This role emphasizes assessing Veterans' needs, coordinating care, collaborating with community providers, and promoting engagement with housing and social services.

Qualifications

• Citizenship and language requirements: US citizen; English proficiency required.
• Master's degree in social work from CSWE-accredited program; licensure/certification required for practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach to engage homeless Veterans and build collaborations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently conduct interviews and assessments for program enrollment and treatment planning.
• Assist Veterans to obtain HUD-VASH vouchers and support housing placement and continuity of care.

Skills

Advanced clinical social work

Program coordination

Advocacy

Housing support

Education

Master's in Social Work (CSWE accredited)

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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Grandfather Provision: A Social Worker employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (9/10/2019) who did not meet all the basic requirements in this standard may not be promoted beyond the full performance level (GS-0185-11) or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions until meeting the full qualification requirements
• Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) – GS-12 To qualify for the GS-12 grade level – you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment – demonstrating progressively more professional competency
• Examples of specialized experience at the GS-11 include – but are not limited to: assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse – neglect – exploitation and/or intimate partner violence
• use of clinical social work skills
• maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality per policies – handbooks or directives
• acting as an advocate with appropriate community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver
• independently assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members – identifying the patient's strengths – weaknesses – coping skills – and psychosocial acuity
• Licensure/Certification: Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator 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: Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation – negotiation – and monitoring
• Knowledge and ability to write policies – procedures – and/or practice guidelines for the program
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program
• Skill in organizing work – setting priorities – meeting multiple deadlines – and evaluating assigned program areas
• Ability to provide training – orientation – and guidance within clinical practice
• Preferred Experience: Experience working with individuals who have mental health diagnoses – substance use disorders – those experiencing homelessness – and aging Veteran populations
• Significant experience with and knowledge of community resources to address needs of vulnerable populations
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The work requires the ability use a computer and ability to navigate throughout an office building environment
• As a mobile worker – the work may require engaging Veterans in their environment
• This may include emergency shelters – community agencies – veteran's residences and places not meant for habitation
• Some encounters may be outdoors during all times of the year
• There will be some walking
• standing
• bending
• carrying of light items such as papers – book – small parts
• or driving an automobile – etc
• The incumbent is required to transport veterans using a government assigned vehicle – therefore – would need to pass a driver's physical sufficient to meet the standards outlined in policies.

Duties

• VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent – a professional licensed independent clinical social worker – functions at an advanced level as a case manager for the VAACC's Housing and Urban Development/VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program – aligned under the Community Outreach Division within the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service
• The duties include but not limited to: Providing outreach services to engage homeless Veterans – to include building collaborations with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure service delivery methods and service patterns match the identified patient need
• Independently conducting interviews and assessments for the purpose of program enrollment and to aid in the development of treatment plans
• Utilizing Housing First and other evidence-based practice models to promote Veteran engagement and self-efficacy
• Assisting the Veteran with housing placement – beginning with the process of obtaining a HUD-VASH voucher from the Public Housing Authority (PHA) through the lease up process
• Advocating on behalf of Veterans and their families with landlords – PHAs – community providers and VA programs
• Developing and maintaining relationships and processes with the Continuum of Care – Coordinated Entry System – HUD Regional Offices – PHAs – and/or other internal and external stakeholders
• Assisting Veterans to form and achieve goals to improve quality of life – to include the pursuit of employment – engagement in medical and mental health care – increased social support – access to benefits and end of life planning
• Providing community-based – clinical case management and care coordination services at the frequency commensurate with the Veteran's stage of case management – clinical needs – and preferences for care
• Conducting home visits – with the intent of removing barriers for access to care – supporting housing stability and assessing social and community integration
• Proposing and implementing projects to improve service delivery to the cohort of veterans
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday – 8:00 a.m to 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 [e-mail] – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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: Ad-Hoc Virtual – This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement # 93704-0 – Social Worker (Program Coordinator)/CBSR-13057943-26-JD
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized