Summary This position is located within VHA Vocational Rehabilitation (VHA Voc Rehab). VHA Voc Rehab Service programs are recovery-oriented clinical vocational rehabilitation services that offer an array of vocational, training, employment, and therapeutic work services. Responsibilities Oversees the therapeutic modalities of the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)component, Vocational Assistance services, and vocational rehabilitation or employment service provided to other VA programs. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates. Sets and adjusts short-term priorities and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the complexity of clinical cases, and the capabilities of employees. Develops realistic performance improvement standards and quality assurance efforts. Evaluates work performance of subordinates. Identifies the developmental and training needs of employees. Identifies ways to improve productivity and quality of the work directed. Serves as the Affiliate Coordinator for Graduate Trainee Educational Affiliation Agreements and directs clinical trainee program for trainees in Rehabilitation Counseling assigned to VHA Voc Rehab. Provides advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both clinical and administrative matters. Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Interviews candidates for positions in VHA Voc Rehab Service and participates on interview panels for all vocational rehabilitation positions within the facility; recommends appointments; promotions; or reassignments positions. Develops continuing education opportunities, conducts formal peer reviews, and reviews and concurs on all vocational rehabilitation research projects. Informs higher-level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommend promotions, reassignments, performance ratings, and retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands. Recommends more serious complaints to higher management. Resolves informal complaints of employees and interacts with union representatives on personnel matters. Refers serious disciplinary problems to higher levels of management as appropriate. Hears and resolves complaints from employees and refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to the supervisor or higher manager according to VHA policy. Provides clinical and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of VHA Voc Rehab Service, including adherence to the Individualized Placement and Support model and other evidence based and evidence informed models and therapeutic interventions. Provide a variety of rehabilitation services using counseling practices and evidence based and informed modalities to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in achieving competitive employment, educational, and independent living goals. These rehabilitation services involve personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic rehabilitation interventions and case coordination services, and professional counseling practices. Provides psychoeducational and/or psychotherapeutic groups to facilitate effective job search skills, employer-desired soft skills, work and life skills fostering independence and recovery. Collaborates with the appropriate professionals to provide rehabilitation services, including the assessment of vocational interests, aptitude, and abilities by using clinical tests, observations, interviews, evaluations, and specialized vocational assessment instruments. Consult with interdisciplinary teams to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical clearance, and provide for optimal timing of further interventions. Synthesize assessment information to identify barriers to employment and their vocational implications. Completes various quality assurance and improvement activities to improve services provided. All other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:45 am to 4:15 pm, Monday to Friday Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10145F Requirements 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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. 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 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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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: 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. 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). In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Knowledge of labor/management agreements to effectively manage issues and concerns. (c) Knowledge of applicable accreditation bodies (i.e. Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and their standards to ensure continuous compliance. (d) Theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of rehabilitation delivery systems for the development, implementation, management and growth of rehabilitation programs and services. (e) Knowledge of business administration practices such as managing participant payroll, accounting, budget planning, to successfully operate a rehabilitation program. 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 . 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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.
