Social Worker (MHRRTP)

About the role

Provides primarily mental health services to the homeless veteran population enrolled in Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs. Services include provision of high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of linkages to other appropriate VA or community service providers/agencies.

What you will do

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Provides primarily mental health services to the homeless veteran population enrolled in Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs to include the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans, the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP), or the Compensated Work Therapy Transitional Resident Program.
• Duties will vary by grade level, but at the GS-11: Functions Interviews potential residents, conducts screenings and assessments, interprets VHA guidelines and eligibility requirements, and completes a psychosocial history and assessment.
• Develops an appropriate, individualized treatment plan for each veteran assigned to him/her.
• Using known available resources and the initial assessment, makes initial and continuing decisions regarding the services available and referrals needed.
• Decisions are based upon the employee's professional judgment with regards to the individual's rehabilitative potential and possible consequences of less controlled rehabilitative efforts.
• Documents the patient assessment and all treatment plans in accordance with the requirements of Mental Health Services (MHS) policy and requirements of various accrediting bodies.
• Provides high quality case management services to all residents enrolled in the MHRRTP where assigned.
• Provides clinical services, individual and group treatment, and makes appropriate referrals both within the VA and the greater community.
• Highly developed professional skills are routinely used to motivate dysfunctional residents to resume more effective control of their own life in order to manage independent living upon completion of the MHRRT program.
• Employs individual and group treatment methods and techniques to maintain a therapeutic relationship that will help the resident work towards the best way of dealing with their problems.
• The treatment orientation of the MHRRTP is cognitive behavioral within a therapeutic community milieu.
• The focus is on assisting veterans to take responsibility for their recovery, behavior, and treatment in partnership with the professional staff.
• Establishes a continuing relationship with the resident, evaluating progress towards goals, performs follow-up after referral, and adjusts treatment plan when needed.
• Monitors resident's progress, maintains comprehensive case documentation, including NEPEC and HOMES documentation, and shows competent discretion in the decision to adjust treatment.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients, including geriatric patients, related to their physical limitations, psychological needs, and age associated illnesses and conditions.
• Contributes to policy formulation and participates in establishing procedures within the assigned service area.
• Assigned supervisory responsibility for one or more student trainees.
• Such responsibility requires ability to provide leadership, conceptualize knowledge, and to use extensive knowledge of social work practice and the MHRRT Program.
• May, at times, be required to transport residents in a car or van.
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Other (2) Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume.
• Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
• Failure to provide this information will result in resume disqualification and non- referral.
• Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications.
• To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title.
• If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy.
• We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
• SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action If you are claiming Facility, Agency, Other Federal, or HPT Employee Eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent (not more than 1 year old) Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 (Not an award SF-50).
• Your SF-50 must include: Position title, pay plan/series/grade Tenure code Position Occupied type of appointment (Competitive or Excepted) Within Grade Increase, General Adjustments, or Promotion SF-50's are best, Award SF-50's do not include this pertinent information.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.