Supervisory Social Worker (Program Coordinator - CERS Peer Center)

About the role

This position will be within the Community Engagement Reintegration Services (CERS) - Peer Center at Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center for the National Center for Warrior Independence, which provides Veterans with a safe, peer-driven community space that supports recovery, social connection, empowerment, and reintegration through peer-led activities, access to resources, and guidance from trained Peer Specialists.

What you will do

• The Supervisory Social Worker Program Coordinator serves as the coordinator of a multidisciplinary Peer Center team and is assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development, accountable for clinical program effectiveness and program facilitation as it relates to clinical technology support.
• These positions provide support to the National Center for Warrior Independence within the Peer Center within Community Engagement Reintegration Service at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System in Los Angeles, California.
• VA Careers - Social Work: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Job duties include, but are not limited to: Ensures treatment plan goals for Veterans, including those housed, homeless, or at risk, are being met and documented appropriately.
• Offers staff, Veterans, and community partners education, training, and assistance relevant to Peer Center services, recovery, and engagement.
• Collaborates with facility and clinical leaders to determine Peer Center priorities and clarify strategic direction and goals.
• Provides support to appropriate staff on a continuum of care as it relates to Peer Center programming, integration, expansion, and direct customer service for Veterans.
• Acts as a coach to homeless program clinical teams integrating Peer Center activities and support into their workflow .
• Acts as a coach to Veterans to integrate Peer Center resources into their life journey and helps identify and encourage Veterans to meet treatment plan goals related to recovery and community engagement.
• Collaborates closely with Peer Center leads and VA Homeless staff to ensure care coordination.
• Uses standard data collection instruments to gather and analyze qualitative feedback from Peer Center end users.- Engages in outreach planning and activities to improve access to Peer Center services and programming.
• Acts as Peer Center subject matter expert for programming, engagement, and recovery support.
• Assesses and documents their observations in Veteran's medical record as related to Peer Center involvement.
• Coordinates care including serving as an advocate on behalf of Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery and linking and referring Veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices, and/or community agencies.
• Actively participates in Peer Center meetings, other homeless program calls that support Peer Center development and implementation, and attends trainings offered by VA and community partners.
• Is responsible for following local policy and SOPs for the Peer Center and all VA Homeless program policies both locally and nationally.
• Actively participates in Peer Center program planning and development, advising the Deputy Chief of shifting trends and making recommendations on program procedure or policy changes based upon work experiences.
• Takes responsibility for improving professional skills, participating in planning, and executing specific staff development projects, attending seminars and institutes, and participating in training programs of other disciplines as requested.
• Completes statistical and other reports in accordance with VA Medical Center and respective professional discipline service policies.
• Works with VA Medical Center multi-disciplinary teams and community agencies to strive for developing more effective and efficient ways of delivering Peer Center services to Veterans and has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under provision of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal Regulations, VA statutes, and policy.
• Incumbent is responsible for protecting data from unauthorized release of access codes, etc., as stated in the computer access agreement which the incumbent signs Assists in providing data regarding the Peer Center's social work services on a regular basis, participates in planning, organizing, and coordinating social work services in the Peer Center, and preparing and implementing the referral process of Veterans to programs.
• Organizes community services and develops working relationships and agreements with other organizations having responsibilities for them.
• Provides clinical supervision for unlicensed social workers and may serve as a field instructor to trainees.
• Work Schedule: Various tours of duty based on the needs of the service.
• Compressed/Flexible: May be available based on the needs of the service.
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 examination.
• 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

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: *** 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

• License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.