This position is located within the Housing and Urban Development/VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) at the VA Chico Outpatient Clinic in Chico, CA. The Social Services Assistant - Homeless Program provides chronically homeless Veterans with housing referrals and transports Veterans to and from housing viewings and any other assistance related to securing Section 8 housing.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The major duties include but are not limited to: Coordinates the development of housing resources throughout their respective area; Works with VA Health Care System multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive for developing more effective and efficient ways of delivering housing services to HUD-VASH Program Veterans; Serves as a liaison to the VA Medical Center (VAMC), Public Housing Authorities (PHA's), landlords and landlord associations and agencies and corporations devoted to the development of affordable housing; Coordinates and identifies existing and future housing in the community and maintains an inventory database of safe, available units; Helps identify and develop housing criteria, identify potential barriers to securing desired housing and helps develop strategies to overcome these barriers; Reviews housing placement progress and provides direct assistance to Veterans regarding housing-related issues; Develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations and directly communicates with local housing authorities regarding housing authority inspection standards and paperwork; Participates in reaching out to prospective landlords and property management groups on behalf of Veterans in the HUD-VASH program which includes educating individuals and organizations on the benefit of leasing to HUD-VASH Veterans and the role of the VA case manager in helping to promote housing stability for program participants; Drives Veterans to or meets Veterans at housing units both for viewing and walk-through purposes, providing housing lists to Veterans, assisting Veterans in obtaining move-in and security deposits as well as furniture and other household items, helping with rental applications and credit reports; Maintains an effective and secure means of collecting data related to screening, referral, admission, ongoing case management, discharge and case outcomes as related to the housing aspects of the HUD-VASH program; Participates in community meetings and committees as appropriate and maintains accurate records and data needed for local and national reports; and, Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): No Approved Telework (Ad hoc): 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 ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

English Language Proficiency: 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. ~AND~ In addition to the English Language Proficiency, to qualify for this position at the GS-7 level, you must meet one of the following: Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Social Services Assistant - Homeless Program, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Qualifying specialized experience includes serving as a group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs; serving as a counselor in a youth summer camp; serving as an instructor in a training program for the development of job skills; performing work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew; serving as a group activities leader in the Armed Services; serving as a unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service or manpower development; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program or community organizations or in voluntary activities; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs. In addition to the above, the specialized experience is to include providing housing resources for clients; coordinating and identifying existing housing available in the area; providing housing information and coordinating viewings; developing relationships and agreements with other organizations related to housing resources. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed at least one (1) full year of graduate education (or 18 semester hours) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Social Services Assistant - Homeless Program position such as social behavior, human behavior or health care. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Social Services Assistant - Homeless Program position such as social behavior, human behavior or health care. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~AND~ Driver's License Requirement (Screen-out): This position requires driving a government vehicle to perform the official duties of the position; therefore, a current and valid state driver's license is required. Note: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your current and valid state-issued driver's license. Note: A Physical is required due to the driver's license requirement. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: COMMUNICATIONS TECHNICAL COMPETENCE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL TESTING 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. Physical Requirements: In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle is required. Travels into the community to assist Veterans with obtaining housing. Must possess a current driver's license and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties. The position may entail lifting of no more than 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Whenever possible, carts and dollies will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office, except when performing duties out in the community since the environment cannot be as easily controlled. 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 VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]