This Social Science Program Specialist position works in the community with Grant and Per Diem Grantees to coordinate care for Homeless Veterans. The person in this position is responsible for developing strategies to locate and identify homeless veterans who may be eligible to receive healthcare and other services from the VA. This position requires a high level of skill in assessing and treating the complicated psychosocial problems of homeless veterans and their families/significant others.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include: Locates and provides outreach services to homeless veterans Establishes rapport with homeless veterans to assess need for services and to obtain required information related to the causes and effects of homelessness Conducts outreach activities to locate hard-to-reach homeless veterans Attempts to motivate veterans to participate in a variety of rehabilitation programs Conducts interviews, uses questionnaires or other measurement devices, or observes individuals to assess emotional, functional, and/or psychological conditions Conducts initial screening of homeless veterans Prepares written assessments Develops treatment plans Makes referrals to appropriate healthcare services, treatment programs, and community resources Provides counseling services to clients on a variety of topics including crisis management, crisis intervention, career development, activities of daily living, employment counseling, budget management, etc. Conducts group, family, and individual therapeutic counseling sessions Observes client behaviors and reaction patterns Demonstrates acceptance, interest, and encouragement in working with clients to help them explore their problems Employs social science behavioral modification methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship Evaluates clients progress towards goals Compiles and analyzes data concerning homeless program activities Performs other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized 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. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. All applicants must meet one of the following BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Completion of a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. ~OR~ Appropriate combination of education and experience that provided knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. ~OR~ At least four (4) years of appropriate experience that demonstrates acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. NOTE: When applying for positions with a Basic Education Requirement you MUST provide transcript(s) at the time of application that state a degree was conferred in the appropriate field. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, display copies of degrees or course listings are not adequate and do not provide the information needed to verify that you have the basic education requirement. ~AND~ In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS- 11 level you must also meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience (equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal service) that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: Experience where you were responsible for providing community outreach, counseling, and/or referral services to chronically mentally ill homeless individuals; developing appropriate treatment plans, and monitoring client progress; and providing case management services to persons on a variety of topics including career development, activities of daily living, employment counseling, budget management and other topics necessary to reinforce the skills necessary to live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field related to the work of this position. This education must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of related graduate level education (beyond the 2nd year/master's level) and specialized experience, as described above. This education and experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Interpersonal SkillsManages and Organizes InformationOral CommunicationSelf ManagementSelf-Direction IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires extreme patience and controlling one's emotions, as well as longs periods of walking and standing outdoors. May require using appropriate techniques to physically restrain clients who present a danger to self or others. The work may also require assisting and/or lifting physically disables clients. Work Environment: Work is typically performed in a clinical setting, with exposure to communicable diseases that are common in the client population. Frequently, work is performed in a setting away from the office where the environment cannot be controlled, such as parks, on the streets, under bridges, and other locations where personal safety may be at risk. 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

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]