This position is a trainee position leading to the full performance level of Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. The incumbent serves as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) as a member of the HUD-VASH team. The incumbent is responsible for recruiting, interviewing, completing vocational assessments and assisting Veterans with severe disabilities and employment barriers. Drivers License required.

Duties

Determines Vocational Needs: The VRS ascertains the requirements necessary to meet vocational training objectives and coordinate with various resources to find, evaluate and select a training facility. Provides Vocational Counseling and Guidance Provides rehabilitation counseling and guidance that facilitates successful adjustment to disabling conditions and the marketplace. Provides counseling services to participants starting at the time of program admission and continuing through transition to employment. Networks with the Community Forms relationships with community businesses, community resources, and community service providers. Networks in the community with the goal of developing professional relationships, to assist participants in obtaining training and employment. Coordinates with various resources to locate services and employment opportunities in the community that will be suitable for the individual participant. Provides Job Placement/Job Carving Services Works closely with private employers and agencies to assure referrals are addressed and provide consultation/liaison services to determine suitable employment objectives. Assists the participant in networking with contacts within the community, and members of their personal support group. Provides ongoing support and guidance to the participant throughout all phases of the job search. Provides support and encouragement to the participant including assistance with submitting resumes, completing applications, and job interview preparation. Provides Continuity of Care/Job Retention Services Provide ongoing assistance with problem solving, developing interpersonal work relationships, maintaining work performance and quality of life management. Responsible to ensure that the program participant is aware of employer's expectations, and the participant has the skills and supports to meet those expectations. Counsels and guides veterans through difficult transition or rough spots in the adjustment to the job. Assists the employer understand the nature of the participant's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the participant's capability to succeed. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full time Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: may be available with supervisory concurrence 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 telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist/PD025620 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station: 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, 02/22/2024. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: . Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems, including familiarity with available resources and familiarity with available adult education and training resources. Experience in vocational guidance and working with homelessness. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's Degree or two of progressively higher education. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond Bachelor's Degree. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationComputer SkillsCustomer ServiceFlexibilitySelf-Management 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: Generally, a sedentary position, some lifting and carrying office supplies and equipment. Travel required 50% of work hours. 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

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 Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 US
• Name: Laura Batcheller
• Phone: 720-576-3315
• Email: [email protected]