Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. All qualification candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.

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The primary purpose of the position is to:

• Manage and provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to Veterans and Service members with visual impairment.
• Identify, assess, train, manage and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility.
• The Specialist works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired Veterans. The Specialist may serve as team coordinator for one or more assigned Veterans during the Veteran's program. As a team coordinator, the specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating the Veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (IPOC) with input from the Veteran and all team members.
• The BRS functions independently in several settings including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, educational institutions and home environments.
• The BRS is responsible for using and maintaining technology (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes such as electronic travel aids, computer assisted technology, speech output and input devices, large print devices and Braille devices.
• The BRS also works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment.
• The work environment may be in an office, clinical setting, classroom, private home, VA grounds, continuing care retirement facilities, community sites, and hospitals.
• Performs additional duties as assigned

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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens).
• Education (Transcripts Req): The individual must have earned:
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, closely related program in rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, or technology and industrial arts education; OR,
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) above) that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following:
    • At least 30 semester hours of directly related, upper level undergraduate courses (at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university).
    • One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours).
    • A certificate from an accredited college or university in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree.
    • Foreign Graduates must have proof of a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in blind rehabilitation.
• Certification: Required at the GS-11 grade level and above:
  • Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. Certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation.
  • BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows:

1. Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®).
2. Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®).
3. Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®).
4. Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®).

• Loss of Credential: Once certified, a BRS must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent certification(s) to remain qualified for employment. Loss of certification(s) will result in removal from the BRS occupation and may result in termination of employment.
  • A BRS who has, or has ever had his/her certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16.
  • If hired based on experience as a social worker, rehabilitation counselor, or equivalent, relevant professional counseling credential in rehabilitation, the VIST Coordinator must still maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment.
• Grandfathering Provision: 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).

1. Experience: Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience. OR,
2. Education (Transcripts Req): Completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position.
3. Certification: No certification is required at this level.
4. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service.
• Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor.
• Skill in instructing [Veterans] and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques.
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice.
• Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs.

1. Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade. OR,
2. Education (Transcripts Req): Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field. AND,
3. Certification: Certification is required at this grade level and above. Staff BRS candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 4c(2) above. BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related, equivalent, professional certification. AND,
4. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
• Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
• Skill in instructional methods and learning principles.
• Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.

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.