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Social Worker (Program Coordinator) - HPACT

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The Homeless Patient-Aligned Care Team (HPACT) Social Worker Coordinator, located at the San Francisco VA Health Care System's (SFVAHCS) Community Based Out-Patient Clinic catchment area, works with members of the multidisciplinary HPACT and clinic teams, providing a range of social work services, including assessment and referrals, clinical treatment, short-term case management, advocacy and service coordination, outreach, and linkage with VA and community services.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/26/2026 to 05/26/2026
Salary
$126,164 to - $164,017 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
San Francisco, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—ad-hoc only as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
75% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBSW-12923126-26-LCH
Control number
862789900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Department of VA employees with Permanent Appointments are encouraged to apply. ***NOTE*** The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. If you are having issues uploading your resume under the resume option, you can upload as an "Other" document.

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Duties

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The job functions and responsibilities for this position as Social Worker (Program Coordinator)-HPACT are listed below but not limited to:

  • Possess knowledge of the needs of the homeless population in the San Francisco Bay Area. The HPACT program is staffed by a full-time Social Work Coordinator, part-time Physician, Psychiatrist, Registered Nurse, and Licensed Vocational Nurse, in addition to the full-time Social Worker Case manager. All members participate in outreach targeting chronically homeless Veterans who are "street homeless," in shelters, and other temporary housing situations, who are eligible for VA care but who have not established ongoing primary care in the SFVA system.
  • Possess the knowledge and experience in the use of medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment modalities, and is able to complete a comprehensive psychosocial assessment to identify strengths, needs, social support systems, disabilities, and barriers to accessing housing and available treatment options.
  • Possess the general knowledge of Veterans' benefits and services related to special programs, service-connected compensation, non-service-connected pensions, and benefits that are available on the federal and state levels, and through city/county social services.
  • Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct a psychosocial assessment with a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational, and other diversified backgrounds. The assessment includes documentation of identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence, as well as strengths, limitations, coping skills, and internal/external support and service needs to optimize the Veteran's functional status
  • Be sensitive to the needs of homeless Veterans and their families, realizing that homelessness creates added stress on Veterans and their loved ones.
  • Develops the assessment in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, available family members and significant others
  • Is aware of the special challenges in working with Veterans with co-morbid physical, mental health, and substance use diagnoses, and is able to work with this Veteran population.
  • Is responsible for outreach to homeless Veterans and can work confidently with city/county agencies to increase resources for "street homeless" or marginally housed Veterans. The goal is to increase stability in Veterans' lives and assist Veterans in returning to independent and healthy lifestyles.
  • Provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned staff. developing and monitoring staff compliance with practice, standards and guidelines on documentation, workload, data entry, ethical practice and service delivery.
Duty Location: 401 Third Stress, San Francisco, CA 94107
Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm, or determined by the hiring manager

Requirements

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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.
  • Subject to physical examination.
  • As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you might be required to serve a 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.
  • 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

Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000.

To qualify for appointment as a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) , GS-0185-12, in VHA, all applicants must meet the following 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: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work.
  • Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 job series at 12 grade level in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to Advanced Practice Level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
  • English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
  • Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
  • Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered in the VA Title 38 Hybrid Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation series, 0185, with permanent appointment and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12
(1) Experience and 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 (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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.

References: See Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) website for VA specific qualification standards: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO).

Physical Demands: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their daily activities. Light lifting and carrying - under 15 pounds.
Travel Demand: This position is required to travel up to 75% of work will be performed in a wide range of settings, including the medical center; street-based settings, in client, group or family homes; in community-based outpatient settings, community agencies; or in transport vehicles as well as meeting employers (public or government).
Driver's License: This position is required to possess an Current and Active California driver's license and maintain the license in a good standing.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans? Established in 1934, the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SFVAHCS) has a long history of conducting cutting edge research, establishing innovative medical programs, and providing compassionate care to Veterans. SFVAHCS has 104 operating beds and a 120-bed Community Living Center. Primary and mental health care is provided at outpatient clinics in: Clearlake, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Ukiah, and San Bruno. There is a specialized homeless veteran's clinic in downtown San Francisco.

More History can be found here: http://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/about/history.asp

Agency contact information

Lily Huang
Phone
415-770-4903
Email
Lily.Huang@va.gov
Address
San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
US

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https://www.va.gov/jobs/

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