This position is a Supervisory Social Worker (SSW) within the Homeless Section of Behavioral Health Service. Must have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills, judgment, and advanced professional competency and can expand clinical knowledge in the profession. The SSW is responsible for clinical supervision of assigned staff and coordination of clinical services for Veterans receiving housing and supportive services provided through the program.
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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). 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. Licensure: Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Supervisory Social Worker, GS-12 Education/Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. 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 Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines. Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services. Ability to provide staff training and development. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the GS-12 grade level, supervisory social workers typically have significant personnel management responsibilities for a small to moderate sized professional and non-professional staff, including support staff and professional staff at the GS-12 grade level and below. The supervisory social worker is responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area in a social work service, in a care/product line, or multiple facilities. They provide direct clinical services with or without program coordination responsibilities. Preferred Experience: Experience working with people experiencing homelessness. Experience working with Public Housing Authorities. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, light carrying, use of fingers, operation of motor vehicle, use of computer screen and hearing (aid may be permitted) . Environmental Factors include outside and inside, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working closely with others, working alone and places where homeless people congregate.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Senior Social Worker is responsible for clinical supervision of assigned staff and coordination of clinical services for Veterans receiving housing and supportive services provided through the program. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of the employees. Evaluates the work performance of subordinates; develops performance standards; assigns performance ratings; approves awards; takes performance-based corrective actions; and provides advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both clinical and administrative matters. Interviews candidates for positions; recommends appointments, promotions, or reassignment; hears and resolves complaints, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager; counsels subordinates on behavior and initiates minor disciplinary measures. Independently directs program planning, development, and operations, overseeing caseload trends & making necessary adjustments in consultation. Identifies and develops needed changes to program procedures or policies and oversees the implementation of these changes. Responsible for providing clinical mental health treatment/case management for a caseload of homeless Veterans. Responsible for reviewing agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites. Performs on-site visits to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes. Verifies the Veteran's status, eligibility for VA medical care, and eligibility for program participation. Responsible for providing HUD-VASH case management. Coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of the Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery and linking and referring Veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices, and/or community agencies. Complies with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of Conduct to avoid conflicts of interest. Responsible for following local policy and SOP for the Homeless Programs. Performs accountability functions: 1) documents all contacts with patients/families in the medical charts; 2) complete statistical and other reports by VA Medical Center and respective professional discipline service policies. Works with multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive to develop more effective and efficient ways of delivering healthcare services. Provides comprehensive psychological/social work/nursing services to Veterans and their families. Responsibilities include the management, coordination, and provision of services to Veterans and their families in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. In the provision of care in patients from the adult (less than 65 years of age) to the geriatric (greater than 65 years of age), the employee recognizes the age-related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group. Work Schedule: Monday Thru Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. 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: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized