Clarification from the agency

Applicants will be referred in the following order: FIRST - Current, permanent employees of the St. Cloud VAHCS (including satellites) SECOND - Veterans Health Administration current, permanent employees. THIRD - Department of Veterans Affairs current, permanent employees FOURTH - Other Federal employees, and the public (Veterans Preference applies).

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The SRC provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the programs. The SRC develops and monitors short- and long-range program goals, ensures program compliance with local and national mandates, and is responsible for allocation of resources. The incumbent exercises supervisory authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review, performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised, establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, and clearly communicates through the formal employee performance management system. As a supervisor of staff, the SRC provides input into hiring decisions, monitors and evaluates performance, approves leave, engages in coaching and discipline actions and recommends termination, when warranted.

ESSENTIAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The incumbent serves as Manager/Supervisor for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), as well as Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling to Veterans engaged in Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) programs (CWT and CWT-SE). The incumbent is responsible and accountable for all aspects (planning, developing, organizing, and operating) of a comprehensive clinical Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The SRC is responsible for developing policies and procedures and establishing appropriate methods for review and control of all activities of VRS. The individual is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the teams to assure that all professionals carry out their responsibilities.

The SRC:

• Develops and implements performance standards and rating techniques are equitable for all individuals under supervision.
• Initiates appropriate changes in position classifications and forwards them to a higher level of management for their approval.
• Advising management of the establishment of program and production goals, priorities, and major work schedules.
• Develops short and long-range goals and program plans with consideration of performance monitoring data.
• Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees.
• Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training.
• Maintains effective relations with business firms in the local area and insures that work activities are modern, flexible, and realistically related to actual work opportunities in the community. He/she is ultimately responsible for the safety and welfare of patients.
• Engages with officials of other units or organizations, and advises management officials of higher rank.
• Hears and resolves group grievances or serious employee complaints.
• Approves expenses comparable to within-grade increases, extensive overtime and employee travel.
• Ensures program compliance with VA mandates and requirements of accrediting bodies.

Clinical Responsibilities In the clinical role, the SRC functions as a professionally trained rehabilitation counselor, and determines the vocational goals and objectives of the Veteran based on referral from a professional staff member and by interviewing the Veteran. The SRC also determines the areas of vocational interests, and decides what services, such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview skills training, the Veteran may require in order to successfully obtain suitable employment. The rehabilitation counselor analyzes 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. A rehabilitation counselor supports through transition in the adjustment to employment, aids the employer or site supervisor in understanding the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability of success. As a rehabilitation counselor, the SRC may coordinate with various resources to develop job opportunities for Veterans, and engage with Veterans with complex mental health, psychosocial and/or physical health issues that require considerable accommodation in the development of employment skills and subsequent employment settings.

ENRICHING ELEMENTS: Approving Official
Incumbent is designated as an Approving Official or Alternate Approving Official for the Government Purchase Card. Incumbent is responsible for meeting the standards for documentation, reconciliation, and approval of the purchase cards

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, evening and weekends may be required
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education
  • A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If the applicant's degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education. OR
  • A master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). OR
  • A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA. OR
  • Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
• Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-12

• Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Ability to supervise (e.g. plan, direct, oversee, review work of subordinate staff), assess employee strengths, opportunities for growth, and qualifications to accomplish program goals, adapt work operations, and guide staff.
  • Knowledge of labor/management agreements to effectively manage issues and concerns.
  • Knowledge of applicable accreditation bodies (i.e. Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and their standards to ensure continuous compliance.
  • Theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of rehabilitation delivery systems for the development, implementation, management and growth of rehabilitation programs and services.
  • Knowledge of business administration practices such as managing participant payroll, accounting, budget planning, to successfully operate a rehabilitation program.

Preferred Experience: Leadership and Mental Health experience preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

How you will be evaluated

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.