Social Worker; HUD​/VASH

Summary

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

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.

• 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:
  You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Education:
  
  You must possess 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
• Note:
  
  A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master’s degree in Social Work
• License or Certification* - You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level
• * Exception
  - For assignments at the GS-9 level - VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified - pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations
• VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent - master’s level within three years of their appointment as a social worker
• 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-9 (Entry/Developmental Level):
  The social worker at this level has less than one year of post-MSW experience or is working toward licensure
• The incumbent works with guidance from the supervisor or senior social worker - handles cases of moderate complexity - and is not expected to function fully independently
• GS-09 Social Worker
  -Knowledge
  
  - Skills and Abilities:
  
  In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-09 - you must demonstrate the following Knowledge
  
  - Skills and Abilities:
  • Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans - their family members - caregivers - and survivors
  • Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members - and to formulate and implement a treatment plan - identifying the Veterans problems - strengths - weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
  • Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals - families - and groups to achieve treatment goals
  • This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive - problem solving - or crisis intervention techniques
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients - staff - and representatives of community agencies
  • Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses - disabilities - and treatment procedures
  • This includes acute - chronic - and traumatic illnesses/injuries
  • common medications and their effects/side effects
  • and medical terminology
• GS-11 (Full Performance Level):
  The social worker at this level has at least one year of post-MSW experience and holds a current - full - and unrestricted license at the independent practice level
• The incumbent independently carries out all assigned functions - exercises professional judgment in complex clinical situations - and may provide consultation to less experienced staff
• GS-11 Licensure Requirement:
  You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently…