The Lead Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for the organization, administration, planning and evaluation of the community-based employment programs to include Supported Employment (SE) and Community Based Employment Services (CBES), with oversight from the VR Program Manager. This is a team leader position for the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program under the supervision of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program Manager and Supervisor in the Mental Health ICC.

Duties

Duties Include but are not limited to: Closely monitor client's placement via active communication with supervisor and client to address concerns and develop supports. Determine job supports needed and provide job coaching. Communicate progress with the veteran's treatment team. Evaluation of transitional work participation. Job development and placement for adults with mental health barriers. Job development and placement for adults with physical barriers. Monitor adherence to CARF and Joint Commission vocational standards and ensure team compliance. Determine and implement accommodations for mental or physical health barriers to meet client's needs. Provide benefits counseling as it pertains to Veteran Service Connected Disability and Pension benefits. Develop vocational treatment plans. Executes vocational treatment plans in collaboration with Veterans' treatment providers. Communicate clearly and concisely program objectives and goals to veterans, employers, stakeholders, and other professionals. Trains other Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists within the team. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 4:30 pm 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 Ad Hoc telework only. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist/PD607680 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/06/2023 Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11.The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Basic Requirement - Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) In order to meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for this occupation, candidates must possess Education - Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR), candidates must meet the following Specialized Experience - examples of qualifying specialized experience include: 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. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) and experience stated above, candidates must meet the following GS12 grade level requirements: Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as Lead Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. Specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Overall knowledge of the Vocational Rehabilitation organization, programs, standards and accreditation standards; Expertise in researching, observing and analyzing potential employers and worksites for our Veterans; Understanding of program objectives of local, state, and Federal agencies for the VR program; Familiarity with the differing medical disorders and conditions that arise from VR; Understanding data collection and fact-finding techniques to improve programs; Ability to work with local businesses, universities and community groups and expertise in local job market; Excellent communication skills including written, verbal and interpersonal. (This experience must be well documented in your resume or application package). NOTE: 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationEmployee DevelopmentTeaching OthersTherapy and Counseling 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort such as walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as files and books may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted, ventilated, and climate-controlled office. Some travel via government vehicle or POV to other VA facilities and community businesses and various training areas may be required. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Tracy Casady
• Phone: 402-995-4028
• Email: [email protected]