Clarification from the agency

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

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The duties of the Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor include, but are not limited to:

• Leads, coordinates and manages all aspects of a clinical rehabilitation service delivery system within an organization.
• Supervises daily operations to include coordinating interdisciplinary staffing, treatment services, work assignments, budget, staff schedules, safety in the community, training requirements and conducts meetings.
• Determines which programs/projects should be initiated, expanded, revised, or replaced through systematic analyses, program evaluations and accountability measures.
• Develops and revises comprehensive policies, risk management and strategic plans based on feedback from stakeholders, accrediting bodies, and program evaluation data.
• Allocates program resources to improve quality and delivery of care provided to Veterans while considering staff talents and achieving program mission.
• Establishes staff performance expectations and conduct staff performance reviews.
• Writes position descriptions and/or functional statements and recommend or select for positions, career ladder promotions, within grade increases, status changes, awards, staff travel and overtime.
• Maintains effective labor/management relationships and manage personnel in accordance with applicable laws, policies, directives, and labor/management agreements.
• Resolves formal and informal complaints and grievances.
• Projects budget based on historical and anticipated workload taking into consideration the production capability of the unit to make justified requests or proposals.
• Oversees the maintenance of billings, payroll, pay records, specific to the CWT-TW program and the accuracy of all financial reports connected with the program which are submitted to VACO.
• Maintains oversight of the administrative and programmatic resource allocations (e.g., budgets, purchasing, labor mapping) within the VHA Vocational Rehabilitation (VHA VR) programs, including oversight for Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) related to CWT-TW.
• Maintains accounting controls, functions as an approving official for purchase cards and fund control points.
• Supervises the Vocational Rehabilitation team and provides back-up to the managers in the CWT Programs.
• Provides guidance and technical direction for accomplishing the work of the team. Ensures the work assignments of employees on the team are carried out.
• Plans/administers vocational rehabilitation.
• Administers, scores and evaluates results of tests and assesses client's mental condition as it pertains to Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Assesses patients' vocational potential and provides training and employment opportunities.
• Maintains program and administrative reference materials, project files and relevant background documents and makes available policies, procedures and written instructions from the supervisor; maintains current knowledge to answer questions from team members on procedures, policies, directives, etc.
• Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinates the preparation, presentation and communication of work-related information to the supervisor.
• Represents the team in dealings with other supervisors or managers for the purpose of obtaining resources (e.g., computer hardware and software, use of overtime or compensatory time) and securing needed information or decisions from other supervisors on major work problems and issues that arise.
• Has budget authority and assures that the resources under the purview of the Vocational Services (personnel, fund control points, and overtime) are kept within established limits.
• Requests for additional resources are fully justified and identified well in advance of shortages becoming a "crisis" situation.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 94494-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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

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: 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 rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If the applicant's degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.
  • OR (2) A master's degree counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  • OR (3) A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.OR(4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
• Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.
• English Language Proficiency: Must proficiently speak, read, write, and understand the English Language.

Grade Determinations:

Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-13

(1) Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• (a) Skilled in program management/administration of a wide range of rehabilitation programs, including such areas as clinical specialties, finance, accountability, oversight of work performed by program staff, consultation, negotiation and monitoring to successfully operate and enhance all programs.
• (b) Ability to provide individual and group training, orientation, consultation and guidance within clinical specialization of rehabilitation counseling practice to develop, improve and maintain programming.
• (c) Ability to monitor program outcomes using a data driven quality assurance process to make decisions associated with program management and the development of productivity standards appropriate to the service provided.
• (d) Ability to translate leadership goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work processes for effective program operations.
• (e) Extensive knowledge of all legal guidelines governing the operation of CWT programs, their scope and their effect on clinical programming and service delivery.
• (f) Skill in leading others, assess employee strengths, opportunities for growth and qualifications to accomplish program goals, adapt work operations and guide staff.

(3) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Serve as supervisor and program manager. Manage the administrative and clinical aspects of a major specialty treatment program, such as CWT, physical medicine & rehabilitation program, CWT-transitional residence (CWT-TR), homeless Veterans program, mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program or a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery center located at one facility or multiple divisions of a facility. Coordinate interdisciplinary staffing, work assignments, budget, treatment services provided and admission, transition and discharge criteria for the programs. Supervise employees assigned to the program. Serve on local, VISN, and/or national VA committees or task forces and/or represents VA at professional/program community group/events and committees. Manage allocated budgetary resources and supervises the expenditure of funds; e.g., administrative travel, supplies, equipment and staff development in an efficient and economical manner. Utilize wide latitude and independent judgment in exercising line and staff authority for administrative and programmatic resource allocations (e.g., budgets, purchasing, labor mapping) within major specialty programs. Integrate major specialty treatment programs and services into the entire mental health continuum of care in collaboration with the senior leadership. Conduct surveys of rehabilitation facilities and agencies to promote the establishment of suitable medical and rehabilitation services not currently available, or to develop and implement pilot rehabilitation projects.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/133, Part II, Appendix G62, Rehabilitation Counselor.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in conducting assessments of Veterans employability.
• Involvement in the development of appropriate vocational goals and subsequent objectives outlined in rehabilitation plans. Providing case management services to veterans while pursuing their rehabilitation plans (e.g., personal contact regarding achievement of vocational goals, referral for medical or ancillary services, and responding efficiently to Veterans concerns).
• Experience in training; and understanding and clearly explaining to Veterans, the benefits and services available through the Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
• At least two (2) years supervisory/management experience with vocational services.
• Experience in collaboratively addressing the needs and concerns of intra-service, inter-service, leadership and external stake holders.

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.