Social Worker (Outreach/Prevention Case Manager & HCHV/HUD VASH)

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

What you will do

• The Social Worker in this position functions in a dual role serving as the Outreach/Prevention Case Manager and HCHV/HUD VASH point of entry for Bath VAMC's Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program.
• The Social Worker is responsible for monitoring Veterans that are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the community, as well as initiating and coordinating services to ensure housing retention for those at-risk Veterans served in the HUD VASH program.
• The HCHV program works closely with community partners to ensure Veterans remain successfully housed.
• Numerous challenges may arise for this at-risk group and the Social Worker in this position must be able to multitask and efficiently navigate complex systems in a high paced environment.
• The Social Worker will conduct outreach to Veterans that are at-risk and vulnerable to homelessness as needed.
• Community meeting participation will be expected to ensure all at-risk Veterans in the community are being reached.
• Along with community outreach for referrals and education, public relationship and marketing of HCHV services, as needed.
• The Social Worker provides case manage for those enrolled in HCHV and HUD-VASH.
• HUD-VASH is an intensive case management program for chronically homeless Veterans, and their families, aimed at providing psychosocial services to Veterans while residing in stable housing through HUD's Section 8 voucher system.
• The Social Worker in this position functions as the Case Manager for VAMC's Housing and Urban Development /VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH).
• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program funding will provide rental assistance under a supportive housing program for homeless Veterans authorized by section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C.
• Major duties and responsibilities of the position: The social worker serves as the point of contact for the HCHV Program, responsible for answering referrals/consults from VA facilities and community resources.
• The social worker is responsible for assessing all Veterans that enter into the HCHV program.
• This includes identifying all psychosocial needs of the Veteran and determining the appropriate services required.
• Along with completing treatment plans and clinical reminds/postings.
• The social worker verifies the Veteran's status and eligibility for VA and non-VA resources, along with eligibility criteria for VA and non-VA programs.
• The social worker must have knowledge of VA and non-VA resources and the ability to work within multiple systems to advocate appropriately for Veterans.
• The social worker is responsible for collecting and submitting HCHV Program participant data as outlined by NEPEC evaluation procedures.
• The Social Worker is responsible for following and maintaining a process for referrals and admissions into any HCHV Program and ensures that Veterans in HCHV are considered primary participants for program acceptance.
• The social worker is responsible for collecting and submitting HOMES assessments as indicated.
• The social worker is responsible for working with the local Continuum of Care (COC), COC subcommittees and Homeless Housing Task Forces committees, along with ensuring VA is in compliance with COC.
• The social worker is responsible for reviewing agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities and the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements.
• The social worker performs site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that Veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes.
• The social worker complies with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct so as to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as the HUD-VASH Case Manager.
• The social worker actively participates in the HUD-VASH Program conference calls, attends training offered by the HUD-VASH, HCHV team meetings, and other VA medical center mandatory meetings/ trainings.
• The social worker is responsible for following local and national VA policies, along with Standard Operating Procedures for HCHV.
• This includes following policies and documentation requirements as required for CARF and Joint Commission accreditation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• VA Careers - Social Work: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact ***, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 21O89-O 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

Area of consideration. Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred to hiring manager/s in the following order: Area of Consideration: First area of consideration current permanent Facility VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System employees to include Current and Past Health Professions Trainees.

Second area of consideration current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees. Third area of consideration: US Citizens 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.

The Social Worker position (GS-0185) is currently on the FY 2026 VHA shortage occupations approved for waiver of Veterans' preference. Veterans' Preference Note: Does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript 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 questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
• 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.
• Current Federal employees must submit a copy of the SF-50 indicated below: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing 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 Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

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

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Work is also conducted outside of the office for example: in the car, the patient's home and / or at community partners. 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.