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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Duties include:

• Incumbent will act as subject matter expert (SME) for TES and facilitate streamlined rollout, coordination, and optimization of the TES implementation efforts at VA Puget Sound.
• Administer the TES to Veterans, enter a consult for follow-up care, and enter diagnosis Z code in problem list within scope of practice.
• Serve as the point of contact for disseminating information about the TES to VA Puget Sound and report information and data back to PACT Act implementation leaders.
• Participate in the Community of Practice (CoP) to identify risks and barriers and share best practices associated with the implementation of the TES.
• Serve as the point of contact for Veteran concerns and ensuring swift response to those concerns without over-burdening clinicians.
• Incumbent will be responsible for screening Veterans who do not have an assigned primary care provider at the screening facility. This includes Veterans who walk in or call to request a screening.
• Incumbent may also need to connect Veterans with follow-up care and will solicit assistance from supporting providers when Veteran needs are outside of the TES Navigator's scope of practice.
• Social Worker will participate in the development, evaluation, and communication of standards, policies and procedures for the TES operations.
• Incumbent will participate in applicable workgroups and performance improvement opportunities.
• In some cases, the social worker may be responsible for developing a psychosocial treatment plan and setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran/family.
• Incumbent maintains medical record documentation , ensures expert diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorder, and show competent discretion in decision to adjust treatment.
• Incumbent will establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external customers. Incumbent will participate in activities that obtain customer satisfaction feedback from clients and work to enhance services as needed.
• Incumbent will provide coverage in the absence of other staff to ensure access and coordination of care. The incumbent is responsible for coordinated outreach efforts for the Post-9/11 Military2VA program. This includes, but is not limited to the Post-9/11 Case Management screening report, Yellow Ribbon events, and coordinated outreach at schools and universities. The goal of outreach efforts is to maintain compliance with the Post-9/11 Case Management screening metric, and to identify, screen, enroll, and serve new Post-9/11 Veterans.
• The incumbent performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to State, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided to monitor activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information.
• In addition, the incumbent uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. The incumbent performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and contact work as possible with various agencies (public, DOD, state, etc.)
• Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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 examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must hold a current drivers' license and be cleared to drive a government vehicle.
• 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Copy of transcripts with confer date required with application package.
• Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
  • Loss of Licensure or Certification. Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:
GS-12 Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

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.

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. Copy of licensure required with application package.

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

1. Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
2. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program.
3. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program.
4. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).
5. 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 full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: light lifting (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, walking (6 hrs), standing (2 hrs), repeated bending (6 hrs), operation of a crane/truck/tractor/motor vehicle, hearing (aid may be permitted), working with hands in water, working closely with others.

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.