The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) position is located at St. Cloud VA, in the Mental Health Service Line, within Vocational Rehabilitation Services program. The incumbent is assigned vocational rehabilitation duties throughout the hospital, its clinics, and within the community. The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist falls under the auspices of the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) programs. Under the direct supervision of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program Manager.

Duties

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-9. At the GS-7 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-9. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Major Duties: Provides therapeutic employment services to Veterans with Mental Illness, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Polytrauma, Substance use Disorders, Experiencing Homelessness, Criminal Justice Involvement, other Physical Disabilities, or a combination of these and other disabilities that contribute to occupational dysfunction. Possess intensive knowledge of mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on work tolerances, motivations, adjustment to employment or training, and difficulty in employment placement. Promote optimal occupational functioning in the community by utilizing appropriate interventions that achieve the vocational goals on the Veteran's Individual Vocational Plan (IVP). Activities performed on behalf of the client should be consistent with the IVP and coordinated with other members of the treatment team. Counsels and guides client through difficult transition or rough spots in the adjustment to employment. Helps the employer understand the nature of the client's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the client's capability to succeed. Show understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed. Counsels or otherwise helps resolve problems (e.g., co-worker relations difficulties, employer employee misunderstandings, emotional depression, or financial difficulties). Serves on facility and service level committees and task forces as requested; and functions within other areas of VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Service as needed. Perform all duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm (Evenings and weekends may be required.) Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized 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 will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification for GS-7: Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level:(SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. OR Possess at least one full year of graduate level study, or possess a master's or higher degree, e.g., LL.B., J.D., LL.M., Ph.D., in a Major study -- vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Possess at least one year of qualifying specialized experience includes: Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program. Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention. Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-5 in Federal service. OR Possess a Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level. To be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the grade level of GS-7. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: possess a current and valid state driver's license. Do NOT include a photocopy of licenses in your application package. If an interview is requested, you will then be required to submit proof of your driver's licenses. (Do NOT upload licenses). In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Educational Experience (ACWA)Mathematical Skills (ACWA)Rating (ACWA)Social Organizations (ACWA)Work Experience (ACWA) IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such 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; religious; 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address St Cloud VA Medical Center 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]