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. 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

This position functions as a Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) for Mental Health Service within the Psychology Service/Community Integration Section. Duties include but are not limited to: Provide vocational counseling services to Veterans with severe mental and physical disabilities participating in the CWT program. S/he will provide vocational rehabilitation planning, problem solving counseling, adjustment counseling, job seeking skills training, and provide supportive guidance throughout the employment process, including discussion of strengths and areas in need of improvement, the demands and responsibilities of holding a job, and problems related to vocational training, placement, and employment. Establish good rapport and counseling relationship in order to work together to identify the Veteran's significant interests, aptitudes, abilities, and characteristics. The goal is to provide the individual with the data needed to make a realistic life decision. Provides individual and group counseling sessions to provide program information and assistance. Conduct comprehensive initial evaluations, i.e. Vocational Assessment Profile (V AP), completes Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) assessments, and utilizes measurement-based care (MBC) assessment tools (i.e. Anxiety, Depression, etc.). Provide an appropriate range of assessment procedures including, when indicated, interviews, tests of specific job-related skills and abilities, aptitude testing, and vocational interest testing. S/he provides assessment and consultation reports that are timely, of good quality and meet Joint Commission and CARF standards. Assist the Veteran in exploring and identifying psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation needs, goals, and objectives and is responsible for completing a vocational transition plan at discharge. Provide case management services including coordination of all vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, documentation of progress and adjustment, and maintenance of CPRS documentation according to VA regulations. Meet with the veteran regularly to provide case management services including, but not limited to, budget management, referral for benefit eligibility determination crisis resolution, and health maintenance. Work closely with other services within the VA and other public and private agencies to ensure that the Veteran receives the full range of services necessary to achieve vocational rehabilitation. Develop partnerships with Vet Centers, career centers, local Disabled Veterans Outreach Programs (DVOP) specialists, VBA Rehabilitation Services, Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERS), and others to provide job search and job placement services. Use his/her knowledge of the local labor market to assist the Veteran with locating employment opportunities and potential job placement. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, may change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Available in as needed basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 586-00097-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed. Education: (1) A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If the applicant's degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education. OR, (2) A master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). OR, (3) A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.OR, (4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Certification: Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Exceptions for Graduate RCs. (a) RC graduates from an approved counseling or rehabilitation counseling program who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and the additional degree requirements for CRC certification by the CRCC, but do not possess the required certification, may be appointed, pending certification, as a graduate RC on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D). (b) Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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: Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-09 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of human development and behavior, medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of disability and differential influences of environmental and cultural factors to assist persons with disabilities in determining suitable vocational goals. (b) Knowledge of history, philosophy and disability rights legislation in the field of rehabilitation to apply in the practice of rehabilitation counseling. (c) Ability to synthesize assessment and diagnosis information in conjunction with labor market trends and community/educational resources to develop an effective individual service delivery plan. (d) Knowledge of caseload management strategies to maximize an individual's independent functioning from assessment through provision of post-employment services. (e) Ability to employ person-centered job development strategies to facilitate successful job placement. (f) Knowledge of assessment tools and methods, functional capacity evaluations and specific vocational preparation to evaluate transferrable skills, residual capacities and needs for accommodations and assistive technology. Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-11 Experience: Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. OR Education: A doctoral degree in rehabilitation counselor education or related field (e.g. rehabilitation psychology) from a CACREP accredited institution or from an institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) - In addition to meeting the experience requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities, appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate and reduce or eliminate barriers to integrate into the community. (b) Knowledge of counseling theory, medical and psychiatric terminology and signs and symptomology of suicidal and homicidal ideations, to communicate appropriately with community health care professionals to provide useful input to other team members and employers in relation to the Veteran and/or his/her family's psychosocial needs and to recommend and help implement suitable treatment plans. (c) Ability to use evidence-based and evidence informed vocational and professional counseling practices to include individual placement and support (IPS), customized employment and supported employment models and motivational interviewing skills to promote self-awareness, adjustment to disability, enhanced job retention and successful integration to the community. (d) Knowledge of career development processes and job analysis methodology to determine essential functions of jobs, worksite modifications and/or alternative vocational goals given the work history and residual functional capacities of individuals with disabilities. (e) Ability to administer and interpret a wide variety of assessment methods including transferrable skills and labor market analyses to evaluate for individual interests, aptitudes and abilities and to identify suitable vocational goals for the development of an effective individual service delivery plan. (f) Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships/Memorandums of Agreement within VA and local business community to enhance employment and/or work opportunities. (g) Knowledge of military culture and specific factors and dynamics associated with Veterans, particularly combat Veterans, to assist those who are returning to community and community based-work. Preferred Experience: Experience working with populations with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, justice system involvement and/or homelessness. Experience as an employment specialist marketing to and developing relationships with community employers to create opportunities for employment. Experience working on an interdisciplinary team. Experience coordinating services and linking community resources/employers to develop education, training and employment opportunities for patients, and partnering with community service providers to advocate for patient employment. Experience providing vocational services to populations and in rural communities. References: VA Handbook 5005/133, Part II, Appendix G62, July 21, 2020.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 09 to 11. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Driver's license and physical exam required to confirm ability to operate a government vehicle.

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 GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Lindsay Storm
• Phone: 0000000000
• Email: [email protected]