The Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator (CEPC) is responsible for community capacity development for suicide prevention by serving in a leadership role in communicating with and organizing community partners and coalitions to implement suicide prevention programs aimed at reducing Veteran suicide at the community, state, and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) levels.

Duties

The position is remote but individual must reside within the local commuting area (50 miles) of the Long Beach, CA Health Care System facility. Develops and writes communication products that articulate VA's National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to support the development of community coalition. Develops information that ensures public understanding, appreciation and support of Suicide Prevention 2.0 community-based suicide prevention programs. Research communication requirements to determine the nature of the audience and other special considerations to enhance the development of suicide prevention coalition building. Coordinates any emerging issues related to the topic of communication as necessary. Implements VHA Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention including collaborating with community, Veteran, and state partners to develop, conduct, and/or support community-based suicide prevention programs as defined and supported by the VHA Suicide Prevention Program. Oversees outreach to educate community partners, the media, VA and other government stakeholders (including Members of Congress) to enhance the development of suicide prevention coalitions. Identifies the specific needs and interests of each group, determines the strategy for providing information, and tailors the communications to be effective to each group. Monitors feedback and adjusts the communication and education plans accordingly. Uses an interactive approach that: identifies the type of information that is necessary; provides information on a timely basis; and tracks and assesses the response of all parties so that potential problem areas can be identified, avoided, and/or corrected. Develops and coordinates graphics requirements, including databases, tables and spreadsheets to complement communications materials. Develops and implements a comprehensive suicide prevention communications plan to support community coalition development for local suicide prevention efforts. Works with Public Affairs Officers, VHA Communications and external VA partners to plan, develop and disseminate suicide prevention outreach communications to enhance the work of community coalitions. Develops and provides suicide prevention related media/marketing, including interviews (print or broadcast), social media postings, and communication campaigns (Paid/PSAs). Provides a variety of suicide prevention trainings including but not limited to a focus on training in Lethal Means Safety, Mental Health Apps (Hope Box, PTSD, etc.), Military Culture, Other Gatekeeper Training (QPR, ASSIST), Postvention, Safety Planning, S.A.V.E., Whole Health/Wellness. Hosts Outreach Awareness Tables on suicide prevention at community events Facilitates meetings Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Available Virtual: This is a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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 only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and Experience. Candidates must meet one of the following requirements: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The degree must be in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, family counseling, mental health counseling, nursing, ministry and criminal justice); OR, Two years of specialized experience as a first responder (e.g., Police, Medic, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Dispatch, etc.) or in a social science related field that included behavioral health crisis response, and two years of higher education (i.e., above the high school level) from an accredited college or university in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, family counseling, mental health counseling, nursing, ministry and criminal justice); OR, Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any field and, one year of specialized experience that included behavioral health crisis response or mental health 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).Grade Determinations Experience or Education. Candidates must meet one of the following requirements: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level which is directly related to the position; OR, Education. Ph.D. or equivalent in a behavioral health field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, or family counseling). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Ability to provide an evidenced based crisis intervention through a variety of modalities (e.g., telephone interviews, chat/text services, or social media forums). Ability to carry out crisis management steps while withholding judgment on controversial behaviors and not imposing one's values during the contact. Ability to effectively prioritize complex problems quickly and respond appropriately in a crisis situation. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G64 Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder) Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary and does not require any special physical effort. Work will require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site. Employee may carry light items such as papers, books, and portable computer requirement or driving a motor vehicle relative to attendance at meetings. The work often requires long hours to meet project deadlines and to devise corrective action and solutions to unexpected technical and/or management crises resulting in sometimes highly stressful work situations.

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 Long Beach VA Medical Center 5901 East Seventh Street Long Beach, CA 90822 US
• Name: Mark Van Huss
• Phone: (808) 336-1335
• Email: [email protected]