The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is hiring a Social Worker to serve as the Community Engagement and Partnership(s) Coordinator (CEPC). The CEPC is responsible for community capacity development for suicide prevention by serving in a leadership role in communicating and organizing community partners to implement suicide prevention programs in the community. This position will spend 75% of the time traveling and/or attending events within the Battle Creek VA Catchment area

Duties

Due to the nature of the work, this position teleworks 100% of the time. Applicants are required to operate within the Geographic area of the Battle Creek VA Network and will be assigned to either the Battle Creek VA or the Grand Rapids CBOC. Scope: The CEPC serves as a seasoned communicator content matter expert for Suicide Prevention (SP) and public health and facilitates integration of (SP) education throughout the community by developing and organizing community partners and coalitions aimed at reducing Veteran suicide at the state and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level. The CEPC is a SME (SME) in communication, with a specific focus on (SP). The CEPC promotes a public health approach to (SP). This position functions as a member of the Suicide Prevention Team. Duties: Communication 50% Researches communication requirement and creates communication products that articulate VA's National Strategy that ensures public understanding of community-based (SP) programs and coordinates any emerging issues related to the topic of communication as needed Implements VHA Community-Based Interventions for (SP) including collaborating with all stakeholders 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 while identifying the needs of each group and updating information as needed for each group, then monitors feedback and adjusts 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. Develops and coordinates all communications materials Develops and implements a comprehensive (SP) communications plan to support community coalition development for local (SP) efforts Works with internal and external stakeholders to plan, develop and disseminate (SP) outreach communications to enhance the work of community coalitions through proactive communication strategies, promotes partnership development Meet with prospective community partners to establish formal relationships between the VHA and local partners to facilitate (SP) in the community Develops and provides (SP) related media/marketing, including interviews (print or broadcast), social media postings, and communication campaigns (Paid/PSAs); Provides a variety of (SP) 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., Suicide Risk Evaluation, Whole Health/Wellness Hosts Outreach Awareness Tables on (SP) at community events. Coalition Leadership and Management 50% Develops, facilitates, and strengthens Community-Based Interventions for (SP) at the community, state, and VISN levels. Connects VA programs and stakeholders-including, but not limited to, Veterans, Veteran Service Organizations, congressional staff, media, community business partners, and community members throughout the health care system and VISN catchment areas Provides leadership for coalition management -- leads alignment of community coalition goals with VA goals, collaborates with non-VA coalition leaders (remote or in person), attends coalition meetings (general) and coalition subcommittee meetings, manages and attends coalition sponsored events/public meetings, conducts and/or supports coalition evaluation activities (survey distribution, data collection, key informant interviews, etc.); and leads other coalition activities defined in a coalition action plan Is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships between the VA (SP) team and community-based veteran organizations and leadership Comprehends and maintains knowledge of current VA guidelines, policies, Federal regulations, and laws governing benefits for Veterans Disseminates program evaluation and surveillance data related to (SP) with community partners Develops materials and training programs, in coordination with the SP team members, other facility and VISN stakeholders, and the National OMHSP office/MIRECC for staff and external stakeholders regarding (SP) in VHA and the facility Develops and delivers of education and outreach services that encompasses underserved veteran populations and expands SP coalition building in communities in the Facility's geographical catchment area, and may include regional or state events Develops and maintains content expertise in SP through peer review, networking, internet access, published literature, national conference calls, and educational offerings and professional meetings Promotes and utilizes evidence-based guidelines at all stages of program development and implementation Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: may be available at supervisor's discretion

Requirements

Qualifications

Preferred Experience: Applicants with experience in community outreach, community engagement, and coalition building will be considered the most qualified. Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following: a. 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). b. 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. c. 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/. f. English Language proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s). Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/120 PART II APPENDIX G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Alexander Phillips
• Phone: 317-681-4780
• Email: [email protected]