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 eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Duties

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As the HUD-VASH Housing Specialist, the incumbent functions as part of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans interdisciplinary team and provides psychosocial services primarily to Veterans who are experiencing, or at risk of homelessness. The Housing Specialist manages a caseload of Veterans in the early stages of the housing process and may assist Veterans returning to the program for support post graduation or discharge.

Duties Include / Not Limited To :

• Verifies the veteran's status, eligibility for VA medical care, and eligibility of program participation.
• Assisting Veterans with completion of paperwork specific to the voucher process, ensuring all steps are completed for submission to the Public Housing Authorities.
• Provide support to Veterans during the voucher issuance process.
• Utilize Housing First and other evidence-based practice models to promote Veteran engagement and self-efficacy.
• Assist the Veteran with housing placement, beginning with the process of obtaining a HUD-VASH voucher from the Public Housing Authority (PHA) through the lease up process.
• Performs site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes.
• Advocating on behalf of Veterans and their families with landlords, PHA, community providers and internal VA stakeholders.
• Assisting Veterans to form and achieve goals to improve quality of life, to include the pursuit of employment, engagement in medical and mental health care, increased social support, access to benefits and end of life planning.
• Assist in collaboration with local landlords and property managers to develop appropriate housing stock.
• Providing a wide range of social work interventions and services in both individual or group settings, as consistent with VHA Directive 1110.02 Social Work Professional Practice and approved scope of practice.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 AM - 4 : 30 PM

EDRP Authorized : Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact VISN22HREducationReimbursementTeam@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance. Learn more

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 .

Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider :

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements :

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-11

Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.

References : VA Handbook 5005, Part II appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards, GS-185, Veterans Health Administration.

Physical Requirements : Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

Education

Note : Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here : If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit :

Additional information

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.