Clarification from the agency

This position is opened to current permanent Veteran Health Administration (VHA) employees only.

Videos

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU

• Social Work Assistant Chief is responsible for making decisions regarding work problems presented by subordinate social work supervisors and staff. Incumbent collaborates with others in negotiating, deciding upon, and/or coordinating social work-related changes affecting other programs. The Assistant Chief advises Social Work Chief, Care Line Managers/Chiefs on problems involving the relationship of social work activities to the various units and programs.
• Makes selections for supervisory and non-supervisory positions, hear group grievances and serious employee complaints, review serious disciplinary cases (i.e., those proposing suspensions and removals), and disciplinary problems involving key employees. The individual consults with specialists regarding training needs and decide· types of training problems related to the identified problems of the supervised wards/units.
• Develops procedures for and ensures the implementation and achievement of the provision of social work services to medical facility patients on inpatient and outpatient programs. Provides, or ensures that professional staff provides advice, assistance, and consultation to community health and welfare agencies and councils and other community groups to enhance the provision of social services to veteran patients in the community.
• Develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Social Work, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides to professional practice. Develops consistent standard operating procedures required to accomplish clinical care interventions and ensures that they are followed. Incumbent is responsible for developing patient education materials for Social Work.
• Develops and maintains ongoing current Disaster and Emergency Call back rosters for all staff members of the Service.
• Responsible for working with Human Resources and the Resource Management Board providing necessary documents and information regarding staff vacancies and hiring needs of the Service.
• Briefs management orally and in writing on a regular basis concerning matters related to Social Work Service, in order to provide information required to make effective decisions for program planning.
• Incumbent has responsibility for the preparation of reports, as assigned by the Chief, Medical Center Director, or Central Office.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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:

Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States.

English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Serving as a full assistant to the chief social work service for both administrative and professional practice of a small to moderately complex social work service within a healthcare organization; responsible for supporting clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision, and organizational stewardship for the social work program per the direction of the chief. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in administration, demonstrating progressively more professional competency skills and judgment.

Licensure/Certification. The assistant service chief must evidence possession of supervisory and management skills, 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 administrative and supervisory duties which includes personnel actions, clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments, and quality improvement.
• Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to social work practice.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and oversee social work programs in all settings.
• Knowledge of social work practice, policy, and accreditation standards across the continuum of health care.
• Skill in providing consultation to facility leadership, managers, and other staff on social work qualification standards, practice, competency, productivity, and continuing education requirements.

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This position is restricted to those serving as a full assistant to the chief social work service for both administrative and professional practice. These individuals share with the chief full responsibility for managing and supervising all aspects of social work service operations. At the GS-13 grade level, individuals are typically assigned as assistant chief of a large complex social work service within the organization that offers social work services at VHA facilities with one or more divisions. While the chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for clinical practice, program management, education, human resource management and supervision, and organizational stewardship for the social work program, the assistant chief is responsible for supporting these functions per the direction of the chief. In the absence of the social work chief, the assistant chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for the social work program. The assistant chief provides supervision to a moderate social work service and staff, members of different grades that may include multiple disciplines; treatment sites are limited and in close proximity to the medical center, and programs are with limited administrative oversite responsibility. Such facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. The assistant chief develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate at a satisfactory level of performance and are in compliance with regulations. The assistant chief has responsibility for utilization of resources and budget. They make selections, assign personnel, and serve as a mentor to help employees develop their full potential.]

Preferred Experience: Must have three (3) years of supervisory experience in social work.

Reference: Meets the qualification standard for the GS 13 Senior Social Worker as defined in VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard GS-185 Veterans Health Administration. See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA-specific qualification standards: please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is a 13.

Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional travel. Physical activity involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and carrying light items such as papers, books or other supplies. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers. A level of self-awareness is essential.

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.