Social Worker; BHIP

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per 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 review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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)
• 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
  • Adoctoral 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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work
  • (Copy of transcript with confer date required)
  • Licensure/Certification
    • 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 /T38
      
      Hybrid/
    • (Copy of license required for GS‑11)
    • 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 time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline
    • Failure to procure a license or certification
      • All social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment
      • Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time 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:
  Social Worker – GS‑9. Experience – Education – and Licensure
  • None beyond the basic requirements
  • Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities
    • In addition to the experience above – the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
      • (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran‑centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans – their family members – caregivers – and survivors
      • (b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members – and to formulate and implement a treatment plan – identifying the Veteran's problems – strengths – weaknesses - coping skills - and assistance needed
      • (c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals – families – and groups to achieve treatment goals
      • (d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients – staff – and…