Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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This one position will be filled at either facility located in Leavenworth, KS or Topeka, KS.

Administrative Duties:

• Oversees the therapeutic modalities of the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) component,Vocational and Educational Assistance services, and vocational rehabilitation or employment service provided to other VA programs.
• Assigns and oversees work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the complexity of clinical cases, and the capabilities of employees.
• Develops performance improvement standards and quality assurance efforts. Evaluates work performance of subordinates.
• Serves as the Affiliate Coordinator for Graduate Trainee Educational Affiliation Agreements and directs clinical trainee program for trainees in Rehabilitation Counseling assigned to VHA Voc Rehab.
• Serves and directs community, VISN and National collaborations, training regardingVocational Rehabilitation service provision.
• Provides advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both clinical and administrative matters.
• Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of leave, and vacation schedules.
• Interviews candidates for positions in VHA Voc Rehab Service and participates on interview panels for all vocational rehabilitation positions within the facility; recommends appointments; promotions; or reassignments positions.
• Develops continuing education opportunities, conducts formal peer reviews, and reviews and concurs on all vocational rehabilitation research projects.
• Recommends promotions, reassignments, performance ratings, and retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands.
• Provides clinical and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of VHA Voc Rehab Service.
• Works with other leadership to develop and revise comprehensive policies, risk management assessments, and strategic plans.
• Provides oversight of intake assessments of Veterans referred to the VHA Voc Rehab Service program and for developing vocational assessments.
• Estimates budgetary needs based on history, anticipated workload, resource need, and the workload capacity of the VHA Voc Rehab Service and makes justified requests or proposals. Maintains accounting controls, oversight of CWT Account expenditures and usage, CWT TW payroll, and fund control points VHA Voc Rehab.
• Establishes Standard Operating Procedures for the VHA Voc Rehab Service and oversees their implementation.
• Clinically and administratively address and resolve Veteran concerns, complaints, grievances, and appeals.

Clinical Duties:

• Provide a variety of rehabilitation services using counseling practices and evidence based and informed modalities to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in achieving competitive employment, educational, and independent living goals.
• Provides clinical expertise through the timely application of therapeutic interventions, case coordination, crisis intervention, interdisciplinary team consultation, rehabilitation plan development, and ongoing assessment and job development practices.
• Reviews medical, psychological, vocational, and educational data to maximize the independence and employability
  of Veterans with personal, social, and vocational barriers as a result of mental health, medical, or psychosocial impairments.
• Supports informed decision making while using professional judgment and counseling skills to assist the Veteran in identifying suitable competitive employment and placement opportunities.
• Conducts a skillful analysis of their abilities, aptitudes, strengths, needs, preferences, disability conditions, and resulting impairments to guide Veterans with severe disabilities and employment challenges in achieving their goals.
• Provides psychoeducational and/or psychotherapeutic groups to facilitate effective job search skills, employer-desired soft skills, work and life skills fostering independence and recovery.
• Collaborates with the appropriate professionals to provide rehabilitation services.
• Consult with interdisciplinary teams to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical clearance, and provide for optimal timing of further interventions.

Work Schedule: Monday -Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Autorized
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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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.
• Education.
  (1) A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counselingfrom a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditationof Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If the applicant'sdegree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by theCouncil on Rehabilitation Education.
  OR
  (2) A master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college oruniversity accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Councilfor Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  OR
  (3) A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content thatemphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment,wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by anational or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.
  OR
  (4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on RehabilitationCounselor Certification (CRCC).
• Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitationcounselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

Grade Determinations:
Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-12

Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to thenext lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experienceabove, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a)Ability to supervise (e.g. plan, direct, oversee, review work of subordinate staff),assess employee strengths, opportunities for growth, and qualifications toaccomplish program goals, adapt work operations, and guide staff.
(b)Knowledge of labor/management agreements to effectively manage issues andconcerns.
(c)Knowledge of applicable accreditation bodies (i.e. Joint Commission andCommission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and their standards toensure continuous compliance.
(d)Theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of rehabilitation delivery systemsfor the development, implementation, management and growth of rehabilitationprograms and services.
(e)Knowledge of business administration practices such as managing participantpayroll, accounting, budget planning, to successfully operate a rehabilitationprogram.

Preferred Experience: Vocational Rehabilitation experience perferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

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.