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 a complete review of the EDRP application.

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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:
  You must be a citizen of the United States
• 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:
  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
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment — the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-9 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 (e.g., acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology)
• GS-11 Social Worker Licensure:
  You must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• Experience or
  
  Education:
  
  In addition to meeting the basic requirements — to qualify for the GS-11 you must possess a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work‑related settings (VA or non‑VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
  Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience; identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; providing education on…