The Housing Specialist position is located within the Healthcare
for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV). The Housing Specialist works directly with
the Homeless Coordinator and provides housing services to all HCHV programs; Grant
and Per Diem (GPO}, HUD-VASH, Shelter Plus Care, Emergency Housing and Veterans
Justice Outreach. This position supports the Housing First/ACT treatment teams.
Driving responsibilities include but are not limited to the Clarksville, TN–Hopkinsville, KY area as assigned by the HCHV
Program Manager.
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.
This position requires a full performance level Social Worker.
Summary
The Housing Specialist position is located within the Healthcare
for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV). The Housing Specialist works directly with
the Homeless Coordinator and provides housing services to all HCHV programs; Grant
and Per Diem (GPO}, HUD-VASH, Shelter Plus Care, Emergency Housing and Veterans
Justice Outreach. This position supports the Housing First/ACT treatment teams.
Driving responsibilities include but are not limited to the Clarksville, TN–Hopkinsville, KY area as assigned by the HCHV
Program Manager.
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.
This position requires a full performance level Social Worker.
The Housing Specialist provides housing information for veterans, conducts
housing seminars, and is basically a housing resource person for veterans who are
homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Direct housing search includes, but
is not limited to, driving Veterans to or meeting Veterans at housing units both
for viewing and walk-through purposes, and providing housing lists to Veterans.
This will require coordination between the VA program and facility leadership, Public
Housing Authority {PHA) executive leadership, independent landlords as well as rental
associations, community and government agency executive leadership, and/or leadership
of corporations involved with the development of affordable housing. The social worker works independently and in a variety of settings as assigned by the HCHV program manager. The incumbent attends VA and community related housing meetings, providing program presentations and updates, as well as conducting housing seminars. The incumbent will function independently and work across different agencies such as the Veterans Administration, and Vet Centers as well as the Community Based Outpatient Clinics in the VHA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System catchment area..
Work Schedule: Based on needs of service
Functional Statement Title/#: Social Worker (Housing Specialist - HUD/VASH)/#000000
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be licensed/certified at Master's Degree level of Social Work
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license
Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary. Typically, the social worker sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books small pieces of equipment and supplies, or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The work is stress related and requires emotional stability and maturity in the face of crisis and/or prolonged anxiety.
Work Environment: Work environment involves everyday risks or discomfort of a medical center/hospital environment that requires normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. the workspace is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
Citizenship: United States Citizen.
Education: Must have a master's degree in social work (MSW) 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.
Licensure: Must be licensed or certified in a state at the independent practice level.
Driver's License: Must possess and maintain a current driver's license.
GS-11 Social Worker
(a) Experience,Education and Licensure. Social Worker, GS-11, requires completion of a minimum of 1 year
of post-MSW degree experience in the field of health care social work (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. NOTE:For appointment licensure or certification at this
level please refer to paragraph 2c.
OR,
In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs in subparagraph (b) below.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Knowledge of community resources, how to makeappropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
2. Ability to independently assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the patient’s problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and assistance needed, in collaboration with the patient, family and interdisciplinary treatment team.
3. Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds. This requires knowledge of human development and behavior (physical and psychological) and the differential influences of the environment, society and culture.
4. Knowledge and experience in the use 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.
5. Knowledge of psychosocial treatment and ability to independently implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. This requires independent judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving or crisis intervention techniques.
6. Ability to independently provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. Social workers must practice within the bounds of their license or certification. For example, some states may require social workers providing psychotherapy to have a clinical level of licensure.
7. Ability to provide consultation services to other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment. Ability to provide orientation and coaching to new social workers and social work graduate students. Ability to serve as a field instructor for social work graduate students who are completing VHA field placements.
8. Ability to independently evaluate his/her own practice through participation in professional peer review case conferences, research studies, or other organized means.
9. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VHA.
(c) Assignments. This is the full performance level for social workers. GS-11 social workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. They are assigned to all program areas, including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent in the assigned area.
NOTE: If social workers covered under the grandfathering provision of the 1991 Federal law regarding licensure
or certification of VHA social workers leave the GS-185 social work series, they lose the grandfathering protection.
If they choose to return at a later date to the GS-185 series, they must be licensed or certified to qualify for employment as a social worker.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
Additional information
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
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.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary for new appointments. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
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.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
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.
Copy of your transcript which shows that a MSW degree was conferred and date (Required)
Copy of your professional license (Required)
Copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) stating your grade and step (Required if applicable)
If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 or proof of service (Required if applicable). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, must also complete and submit an SF-15, Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf
You will not be contacted for additional information.
If you are selected, you will be required to complete and return a Declaration of Federal Employment OF-306 and an Application for Associated Health Occupation VA Form 10-2850c.
Use this checklistto make sure you
have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of
your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation
to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for
displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional
information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying
for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the
Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible
copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty
service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable,
general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Additionally,
disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as
widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15
"Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as
stated on the form. For more information, please review the information
for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1994884.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, August 18, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
VHA Tennessee Valley HCS
Department of Veterans Affairs
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Next steps
After we receive application packages (including all required
documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to
ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and
application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust
your rating accordingly. After the
review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be
notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will
receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such
and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final
notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging
into your USAJOBS account and clicking on “Application Status.” For a more detailed update of your status,
click on “more information.” Information
regarding applicant
notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Copy of your transcript which shows that a MSW degree was conferred and date (Required)
Copy of your professional license (Required)
Copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) stating your grade and step (Required if applicable)
If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 or proof of service (Required if applicable). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, must also complete and submit an SF-15, Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf
You will not be contacted for additional information.
If you are selected, you will be required to complete and return a Declaration of Federal Employment OF-306 and an Application for Associated Health Occupation VA Form 10-2850c.
Use this checklistto make sure you
have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of
your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation
to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for
displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional
information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying
for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the
Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible
copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty
service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable,
general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Additionally,
disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as
widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15
"Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as
stated on the form. For more information, please review the information
for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1994884.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, August 18, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
VHA Tennessee Valley HCS
Department of Veterans Affairs
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Next steps
After we receive application packages (including all required
documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to
ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and
application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust
your rating accordingly. After the
review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be
notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will
receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such
and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final
notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging
into your USAJOBS account and clicking on “Application Status.” For a more detailed update of your status,
click on “more information.” Information
regarding applicant
notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
