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The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) within the Supported Employment (SE) program is responsible for utilizing the practices of the Individual Placement & Supports (IPS) Evidence Based Recovery Model to provide individualized job finding and job retention services to Veterans with significant barriers to employment. These barriers may include individuals with severe and chronic mental illness and/or those with significant physical impairments.
06/10/2022 to 07/01/2022
$66,818 - $86,859 per year
GS 11
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
None
No
No
CBSR-11531892-22-AEI
659374500
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Open to current/former Federal employees, Veterans and Special Hiring Authorities. First consideration will be given to current permanent employees of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center & subsidiary CBOCs.
Duties of the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist are to include, but not limited to:
Based on referral from a professional staff member or by utilizing the Vocational Assessment Profile with the program participant, determines the areas of vocational interests, and determines what services such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview skills training the program participant may require in order to successfully obtain suitable employment. The VRS determines the extent to which the program participant possesses the knowledge, skills or abilities necessary to meet the goals or objectives. Training provided must meet established agency or Federal guidance for expenditure of agency resources. Training need determinations are difficult, as requirements that meet the client's vocational goals and objectives are not available in standard vocational or training programs. Determinations require the specialist to analyze mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on motivations, adjustment to training and difficulty in employment placement. The VRS is responsible for entering all initial assessment data into the electronic medical record system. The assessment must adhere to all CARF guidelines. The assessment must consider all factors that impact the patient's ability to obtain and maintain suitable employment.
The VRS networks with community employers, community agencies, and community businesses with the goal of developing professional relationships with these groups in order to assist program participants in obtaining and maintaining suitable community employment. The VRS coordinates with various resources to locate services and employment opportunities in the community that will be suitable for the individual program participant from the standpoint of their particular individual needs and problems. The VRS works with established programs to provide significant modifications to accommodate the program participant's severe limitations.
The VRS is responsible for being an active participant in the community. This would include forming relationships with community businesses, community resources, and community service providers. The VRS is responsible for conducting rapid engagement with the program participant. This would include engaging the program participant in conversations about work and introducing the idea of return to work activities. The VRS will engage the program participant in activities such as resume development, job seeking training, and interviewing skills instruction as soon as possible. The VRS will assist the program participant in networking with contacts within the community, and members of their personal support group. The VRS will provide ongoing support and guidance to the program participant throughout all phases of the job search.
The VRS keeps alert for job and small business opportunities. Maintains day-to-day contact with potential employers, placement personnel, or other likely placement resources. Oversees the placement program. Monitors the work of lower graded specialists. Approves any new placement facilities proposed. Evaluates the results of the program and makes sound professional arguments for recommended changes. Reports program progress in accordance with established procedure. Handles the most difficult placement cases. The VRS utilizes considerable ingenuity and persuasiveness to meet case specific limitations. Employers are less likely to be enthusiastic and considerable persuasion is required to convince them of the employee's ability to contribute and be productive.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm, No Weekends/Holidays
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility can be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist/PD91609A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Travel: required occasionally, must possess a valid drivers license and be able to operate a government owned vehicle
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.
Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding Alternate Application.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/01/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11531892.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/659374500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.