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Social Services Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Social Service Assistant position is part of the Mental Health Service at the La Crosse, Wisconsin CWT/TR House which is a part of the Tomah VA Medical Center and monitors and takes appropriate action regarding the safety and security of Veterans.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/06/2022 to 07/13/2022
This job will close when we have received 25 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$36,118 to - $46,953 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Location
La Crosse, WI
2 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
TM-11540545-22-SA
Control number
661314300

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Duties

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Duties include:

-Complies and prepares Daily Operations Journal (DOJ) putting information into the logbook related to events occurring within the program.

-Disseminates the DOJ to various supervisors, regarding related safety and security checks of veterans within the Compensated Work Therapy Transitional Residence (CWT-TR) program.

-Reports emergency incidents, taking appropriate action by entering information into logbook regarding security on all types of incidents or requests.

-Monitors entrances, provides direction and/or assistance to patients, visitors, and employees.

-Maintains sign-in logs for visitors to the CWT-TR and ensures that the posted visiting hours are enforced.

-Makes contact with various local, law enforcement officials for coordination of emergency situations.

-Operates a variety of communications and security equipment such as 2-way radio, landline, duress buttons, close circuit TVs, etc.

-Conducts rounds/inspections to check facility, equipment, health and safety and security problems per CWT-TR policy.

-Conducts radio/telephone checks with Police Dispatch.

-Maintains accurate radio/alarm activity, records/logs dates, times and results of communications activities.

-Directs and instructs residents and staff in appropriate response to fire drills, fire or disaster situations.

-Enforces program rules and takes appropriate action when residents behavior violates house policies and documents incidents as needed.

-May act as a witness to periodic Urine Drug Screen (UDS) testing.

-Administers breathalyzer test and maintains the equipment.

-May check all packages for contraband that is brought to the house.

-May transport Veterans utilizing a Government vehicle to work if Veteran does not have transportation.

-Regularly conducts room and house inspections for contraband, health welfare, safety and security purposes and documents findings.

-Inspects refrigerators for expired or unlabeled food items.

-Inspects for unsecured medication, initiates appropriate corrective actions for identified problems, and follows up to ensure complete resolution.

-Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Work hours and schedule will vary. Work schedule will be discussed at interview.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Social Services Assistant/PD19114A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/13/2022.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Basic - Individual Occupational Requirement:

Specialized Experience - Positions at the GS-4 grade level and above: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
A. Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs.
B. Counselor in a youth summer camp.
C. Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills.
D. Work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew.
E. Group activities leader in the Armed Services.
F. Unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility.
G. Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development.
H. Aid or assist to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities.
I. Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs.

OR

Education GS-4 grade level: Successful completion of 2 years of study that (a) included at least 12 semester hours of subjects directly related to the work of the position or (b) was supplemented by experience in activities that afforded the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate the skills required by the position. The supplementary experience may have been gained for example, in part-time or summer employment, in volunteer social welfare or recreation programs, or in community organizations. Transcripts Required.

In addition to the basic requirement as stated above the following is the experience or education requirement to qualify for this position at the GS-5 grade level.

Specialized Experience GS-5: One (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skill, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Social Services Assistant position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in federal service to qualify at the GS-5 grade level. Specialized experience for this position would consist of: experience in positions which required operating a computers and security systems; working knowledge of fire safety, security alarms, work order requests, keys and locks and machine repair; ability to interact and relate with people of varied educational and professional backgrounds, of many cultural and racial groups, and of many socio-economic levels; experience in positions that required customer service skills such as a receptionist, receiving telephone calls, routing calls to appropriate staff, greeting the customers, etc.; and skill in oral and written communication and interpersonal relations, to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers.

OR

Substitute of Education for Experience GS-5 grade level: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that (a) included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects directly related to the work of the position; (b) included a major in social behavior, human behavior or health care or, (c) was supplemented by special experience as described above for GS-4 education. Transcripts Required.

Proficiency Requirement: In addition to meeting experience and/or education requirements, applicants for this position must show possession of the following skill.

Ability to type 40 words per minute.

Applicants may meet this requirement by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization authorized to issue such certificates, by the Office of Personnel Management local office, or by self-certifying their proficiency. Performance test results and certificates of proficiency are acceptable for 3 years. Agencies may verify proficiency skills of self-certified applicants by administering the appropriate performance test.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Communications
  • Computer Skills
  • Customer Service
  • Personnel Security and Safety


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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary in an office environment, although some slight physical effort may be required. The incumbent must engage in walking, possibly climbing stairs, bending, lifting, and assisting Veterans and visitors.

Work Environment: The work is performed in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, work areas are adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Incumbent may be required to interface with community, local law enforcement, paramedics, etc. The incumbent will be expected to assume an irregular tour of duty which may include on-call coverage, evenings, weekends and holiday hours.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Note: Evidence of experience, must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Please provide such documentation on your application or resume. Also, please provide work experience information such as hours per week and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish one (1) full year of experience. The requirement for this proof is specified in the "How to Apply" section of this announcement.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the 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.

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