Social Worker; Program Coordinator

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval determines the award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) after a complete review of your EDRP application by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office.

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.

• 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 of 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.
• Verify the degree by visiting http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to confirm compliance with the four accreditation standards for a master of social work.
• 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 visiting /T38
  
  Hybrid/.
• Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS‑9 grade level. For the GS‑11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified.
• At the time of appointment, the supervisor – chief social work or social work executive – will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with written requirements for licensure or certification, including the deadline and consequences for non‑compliance.
• Be eligible for the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who meet the criteria).
• Grade determinations for Social Worker (Program Coordinator) – GS‑12 require one year of experience equivalent to the GS‑11 grade level, at a level demonstrating advanced practice skills and judgment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  Knowledge of program coordination and administration, including consultation, negotiation, and monitoring; ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines; ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff; skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating program areas; ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.
• Assignments:
  For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher‑level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
• Program coordinators at the GS‑12 grade level are administratively responsible for a clinical program providing treatment to veterans in a major specialty area such as spinal cord injury, homeless continuum veteran program, hospice and…