Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to current, permanent employees of the Minneapolis VAHCS.

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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• The PCAFC Caregiver Support Program Coordinator develops and implements the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) specific to their area of assignment and ensures compliance and collaboration with local facility and the VA Central Office Caregiver Support Program initiatives.
• The incumbent administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to Caregivers, families and Veterans. The incumbent develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, Caregiver demographics, equipment utilization and Caregiver and Veteran satisfaction. The incumbent develops, implements, and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services.
• The incumbent participates in direct Caregiver and Veteran communication to identify and assess Caregiver stress/burden and the development and application of directed clinical treatment interventions. They advise and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on Caregiver issues. The incumbent creates educational tools, develops programs and implements training focused on specific Caregiver needs/issues. They provide education and in-service training to VAMC employees, Veterans, families and Caregivers. The incumbent provides ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding Caregiver support. They develop and facilitate Caregiver support groups (face-to-face or VANTS telephone line) and educational programs. The incumbent distributes educational materials provided by VA, local, state and national Caregiver organizations.
• The incumbent conducts Caregiver and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of Caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress and social needs as treatment issues. Professional judgment, including the knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior, is an inherent competency applied in daily interactions with Caregivers and the Veterans they care for.
• The incumbent provides referral to VA medical and mental health treatment and to other VA services including VA benefits, as well as community-based social services and other non-VA entitlement programs. If appropriate, the incumbent provides referrals or consults, or in some cases direct admission of a Veteran to other VA programs including but not limited to the Community Residential Care Program, Respite Program, Community Health Care Coordination Program, Hospice, Home Based Primary Care, Telehealth and Community Nursing Home Program.
• As the PCAFC SW Coordinator, the incumbent stays abreast of current federal and state legislation directed at assisting Caregivers to continue providing caregiving in an environment that is safe for both themselves and the Veteran. The incumbent will maintain a knowledge base of current theory and treatment modalities by reading professional journals, attending conferences, clinic seminars and teleconferences, and materials distributed through VA and private sector sources.
• The incumbent must possess a valid driver's license and will operate gas powered/electric passenger vehicles in order to provide Veteran care in the community. Will drive in all types of weather and may be subjected to driving in all types of traffic. Must possess the ability to operate and perform preventive maintenance. Be able to respond to emergency situations when on the road (traffic accident, damage to property, damage to equipment, injury to self or someone else, vehicle breakdown). They must perform operator level maintenance of vehicles that includes, but is not limited to, getting gas, monitoring fluid levels, washing the vehicle, checking tire pressure, interior and exterior lights, and documenting any damage or unusual wear on the vehicle or its components.

Work Schedule: 08:00 to 16:30; Monday through Friday
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

All requirements for this position must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

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: Must possess a Master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in written and spoken English to be appointed.

Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) GS-0185-12
(1) Experience/Education.
One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.
(2) Licensure/Certification.
Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
(b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
(c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
(d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
(e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or 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.