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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

• Completing needs assessments to determine the nature and level of intervention that may be required to assist the Veteran in obtaining employment.
• Making referrals to an alternative agency to assist the Veteran in finding employment and gaining entry into vocational training programs.
• Engaging in job development and placement activities.
• Providing transportation to the Veteran job seeker as clinically needed for interviews, job fairs, etc.
• Providing brief group or individual training in job search skills and resume writing.
• Maintaining listings of job opportunities and assisting with completion and submission of job applications.
• Familiarized with the local job market beyond Internet job sites.
• Receiving and recording information from employers regarding employment opportunities.
• Collaborating with existing community partners and employers.
• Demonstrating unique expertise in the ability to forge new relationships with such entities.
• Participating in job fairs.
• Taking a leadership role in coordinating employment fairs and similar events for homeless Veterans.
• Attending and participating in treatment team meetings.
• Contributing to the strategies and support plans for all clients served by the team.
• Communicating strategies developed for job acquisition and retention.

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
• 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
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

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. Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.

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Do you possess a current and valid State Driver's License. (Screen Out)

To Qualify for the GS9 you must meet one of the following:

One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) in Federal Service that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of a Vocational Development Specialist GS-9. Specialized experience includes: a) Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program; b) Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention; and c) Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems.Examples of specialized experience would typically include what is stated above, as well as, but not limited to: Conducting interviews to determine the nature and level of intervention that may be required to assist the Veteran in obtaining employment; engaging in job development activities and providing transportation to the Veteran job seeker as clinically needed for interviews; providing training in job search skills and resume writing; collaborating with existing community partners and employers; and participating in job fairs. -OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two (2) full years of graduate level education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D. with a major study in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other field related to this position. This education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. -OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required.

To qualify for the GS-11 you must meet one of the following:

One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in Federal Service that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist GS-11. Specialized experience includes: Extensive Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program; Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention; Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems.Examples of specialized experience would typically include what is stated above, as well as, but not limited to: Conducting interviews and completing needs assessments to determine the nature and level of intervention that may be required to assist the Veteran in obtaining employment; engaging in job development/placement activities and providing transportation to the Veteran job seeker as clinically needed for interviews; providing brief group or individual training in job search skills and resume writing; collaborating with existing community partners and employers; demonstrating unique expertise in the ability to forge new relationships with such entities; participating in job fairs; and taking a leadership role in coordinating employment fairs and similar events for homeless Veterans. (Resume must clearly support the required experience and responses to the online questionnaire to receive credit. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) (Unofficial Transcripts required) -OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: I have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. To be creditable, education must include a major study in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Unofficial Transcripts required) -OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed related graduate-level education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. Only education in excess of a master's degree (excess of 2 years) may be combined with experience to meet this requirement.

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.