The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Coordinator is a Social Work Program Coordinator whose primary responsibilities are to provide case management services and outreach to Veterans involved in the criminal justice system; build new relationships and expand existing relationships with community treatment court judges, court personnel, district attorneys, public defenders, and private attorneys to assist and serve veterans involved in these court systems.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Duties include but are not limited to: The Social Work Program Coordinator in this position requires an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of the services and benefits available from community, State and Federal agencies. The incumbent must have skill in diplomacy, advocacy and negotiation in spanning boundaries of at least two large institutions, VA and corrections. Knowledge of jail culture, its impact upon Veteran institutional and community perceptions and behavior, is required, as well as skill in assisting the Veteran and those who work with him or her in adopting behaviors adaptive to community living. The Veterans Justice Outreach Program Coordinator has specialized knowledge of practice related to the treatment of Veterans diagnosed with a severe mental illness, who may or may not have co occurring substance-related disorders. The incumbent must be licensed in a state at the advanced practice or independent level. The VJO Coordinator supports existing Veterans Courts and takes the initiative in the development of new Veterans Courts. With both existing and new Courts, this shall include the provision of direct staffing support to the Court, liaison with all involved Court and justice system personnel, and direct service to Veterans to include determination of eligibility for benefits and services, linkage to VA and community services, and case management and the provision of as needed evidence-based treatment services that cannot be provided otherwise in the community at-large or by the affiliated VA healthcare system. The incumbent is responsible for developing Memoranda of Understanding, formal agreement, and partnerships, when appropriate. The incumbent provides outreach and treatment services to a highly complex and high-risk population in contact with the justice system, including those in contact with local police, those served by the courts, and those detailed in secured city or county jail facilities. The incumbent provides clinical treatment utilizing evidence-based models and participates in the development of a treatment plan for each Veteran involved in the VJO program. The Coordinator may also function as an advanced-practice Social Work case manager for Veterans who are incarcerated, performing duties to facilitate independent community living by coordinating mental health and community care. The Coordinator also collaborates with Healthcare for Reentry Veterans Specialists and Hybrid Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinators in supporting engagement in care for eligible Veterans recently discharged from State and Federal prisons. The Coordinator may interact with both Veterans and the attorneys representing Veterans to determine if VA intervention and treatment is viable and appropriate. The Coordinator will participate as an active member of a court team, if a Veterans Court is to be established. The incumbent provides training to law enforcement personnel regarding identifying Veterans, eligibility for VHA and VBA benefits, as well as issues regarding TBI, PTSD and other mental health diagnoses. The Coordinator maintains responsibility for direct documentation (CPRS and other local documentation systems) as well as ensures that other VA providers complete the necessary documentation for the above justice related services. The incumbent Oversees and ensures that needed Release of Information forms are completed and that agreed upon letters and other documentation to be provided to the court system and Veterans/attorneys are completed. The incumbent participates in and local responsibility for program monitoring, and evaluation conducted by NEPEC and participates in the monthly VISN-wide Veteran Justice Outreach conference call. The Coordinator develops and implements information systems to track services, including visits, referrals, patient demographics and patient satisfaction. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:92277-O 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part). English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. Grade Determinations: Social Worker (Program Coordinator) GS-12 Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. (b) Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. (c) Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. (d) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). (e) Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Preferred Experience: Experienced independently licensed social workers with experience in working with justice involved, homeless, Veteran population. References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G-39. Physical Requirements: The work requires the ability use a computer and ability to navigate throughout an office building environment. The work may require engaging Veterans in their environment. This may include emergency shelters, community agencies, veteran's residences, jails, prisons, court rooms and places not meant for habitation. Some encounters may be outdoors during all times of the year. There will be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, book, small parts; or driving an automobile, etc. The incumbent is required to transport veterans using a government assigned vehicle, therefore, would need to pass a driver's physical sufficient to meet the standards outlined in policies.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Chalmers P Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic 420 North James Road Columbus, OH 43219 US
• Name: Chaunice Pollard
• Phone: 614-257-5200 X5867
• Email: [email protected]