Social Worker (HUD/VASH) - EDRP, Rec/Relo Incentive Authorized

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Social Worker is assigned to the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program within Social Work Service at the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS). HUD-VASH is an intensive case management program that combines Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with VA supportive services to assist Veterans experiencing homelessness in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. The incumbent provides comprehensive clinical case management and supportive services to Veterans enrolled in HUD-VASH. Services are delivered in VA facilities and community settings, including Veterans' residences, shelters, transitional housing programs, Public Housing Authorities, and other community locations as clinically indicated. The incumbent manages a caseload of Veterans with complex biopsychosocial needs, including chronic homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, legal involvement, financial instability, functional impairment, and limited social supports. The incumbent exercises independent clinical judgment in assessment, treatment planning, intervention, care coordination, crisis management, and housing stabilization activities. The incumbent functions as an integral member of an interdisciplinary treatment team and collaborates with Veterans, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, VA programs, community agencies, Continuums of Care, and other stakeholders to promote housing retention, recovery, community integration, and improved quality of life. Practice is guided by Housing First principles, recovery-oriented care, trauma-informed care, harm reduction strategies, Veteran-centered care, applicable VHA directives, HUD-VASH operating requirements, Social Work Service standards of practice, accreditation standards, and local policy. The incumbent exercises independent professional judgment in carrying out responsibilities and may provide consultation and guidance to less experienced staff, trainees, and interdisciplinary team members regarding housing stabilization, community resources, and HUD-VASH processes. Duties are continued in the Education Section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Recruitment Incentives. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to full-time, part time[,] or intermittent individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service Relocation Incentives. Relocation incentives may be authorized to full-time Federal employees who must change worksite[s] and physically relocate to a different geographic area when the approving official determines that without the incentive, it would be difficult to fill the position with a high-quality candidate. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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) Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework may be available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-9: 51453-F, GS-11: 51454-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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.

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/. You must possess 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. Note: A doctoral degree in Social Work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in Social Work. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by CSWE (https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/ ) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: The HUD/VASH Social Worker: Independently provides comprehensive clinical case management services to Veterans enrolled in HUD-VASH. Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments and utilizes professionaljudgment to identify strengths, risks, barriers, and treatment needs affecting housingstability and overall functioning Develops, implements, and updates Veteran-centered treatmentplans and case management goals. Assists Veterans in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing throughcollaboration with Public Housing Authorities, landlords, community agencies, and VAprograms. Conducts community-based visits, including home visits, to assess housing stability,environmental safety, treatment engagement, and ongoing service needs. Provides clinical interventions including supportive counseling, motivationalinterviewing, psychoeducation, recovery-oriented interventions, crisis intervention, andharm reduction approaches consistent with scope of practice. Develops and implements housing stabilization and eviction prevention strategiesfor Veterans at risk of housing loss. Assesses psychosocial crises and coordinates appropriateinterventions to address safety concerns, behavioral health needs, and housinginstability. Conducts suicide risk assessment activities consistent with facility policy andcollaborates with Suicide Prevention and other clinical services when indicated. Coordinates care across VA and community systems to ensure comprehensiveservice delivery and continuity of care. Serves as an advocate for Veterans in accessing benefits, services, housingresources, health care, and community supports. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, case conferences, HUD-VASH team meetings, community partner meetings, and homeless program activities. Receives, reviews, addresses, and closes homeless-related consults within assigned responsibilities. Maintains timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record, HOMES, and other required databases. Supports performance improvement activities, workload capture, quality management initiatives, accreditation readiness activities, and compliance with Joint Commission, CARF, VHA, VISN, and local requirements. Provides consultation and guidance regarding housing stabilization, community resources, and HUD-VASH processes to less experienced staff and trainees, as assigned. Participates in required training, competency assessment, professional development activities, and program education initiatives.