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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The Social Worker Program Coordinator position is based at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, within the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program. This role is assigned to the Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC), which serves as a hub for homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The CRRC is strategically located in Milwaukee and works in partnership with local community-based homeless providers, federal agencies, and state organizations, all working collaboratively to support those in need. These partners, co-located at the CRRC site, deliver a comprehensive array of services, including outreach and engagement, clinical care management, vocational support, financial benefits, as well as immediate access to primary and behavioral healthcare, shelter, residential care, and housing assistance.
The Social Worker Program Coordinator is expected to exercise mature professional judgment and is required to hold an independent clinical license. This role involves both administrative and patient care responsibilities, ensuring high-quality services and clinical standards are maintained.

Administrative:

• Administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to patients.
• Develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, inpatient days, patient demographics, equipment utilization and patient satisfaction.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services.
• Performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to the medical center, State, local, and private agencies, and universities.
• Responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component.
• Complies with criminal conflict of Interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of Conduct

Patient Care:

• Independently performs case finding functions and outreach, identifying and screening patients for psychosocial needs.
• Independently conducts psychosocial assessments.
• Develops treatment plans in collaboration with the veteran/family and with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Coordinates community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs.
• Independently identifies high-risk patients and provides clinical care and services.
• Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families.
• Independently provides consultation services to other staff regarding the psychosocial needs of veterans and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and adherence to treatment plan.
• Facilitate referrals based upon veterans' needs and eligibility.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This is a dynamic and impactful role for a licensed social worker who is passionate about serving homeless and at-risk Veterans. The role will play a crucial part in coordinating care, building community partnerships, and advancing the mission of the VAMC and the HCHV Program. Candidates should have strong organizational, analytical, and clinical skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Veterans and their families in the Milwaukee area.
A substantial portion of the workload directed by this position is carried out at one or more locations that are physically removed from the main unit under conditions that make day-to-day supervision difficult to administer.

VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Work Schedule: Full Time Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Compressed/Flexible:May be approved through supervisor
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 09974F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 identification 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
• Education: Must 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: You must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. This is typically satisfied at the LCSW level and varies per state requirements.
• GS-12 ASWB Examination: Complete and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) advanced generalist or clinical examination.

GS-12 Level: You must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level (VA or Non VA) Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency

Examples of specialized experience at the GS-11 include, but are not limited to:

• assessing and documenting identified behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and/or intimate partner violence
• use of clinical social work skills
• maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality per policies, handbooks or directives
• acting as an advocate with appropriate community service providers and agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver
• independently assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members, identifying the patient's strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and psychosocial acuity.

In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
• Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
• Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

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

The GS 12 Social Worker Program Coordinator is Above the Full Performance Level. for Social Workers. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12

A unrestricted valid Drivers License is required for this position.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Physical demands do not exceed those of a typical office setting. There may be some walking, standing, twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, repetitive keyboarding, or carrying of light items.

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.