Summary The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) position is located within the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Program in the Social Work Service Line at VA Medical Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist possesses intensive knowledge of mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on work tolerances, motivations, adjustment to training, and difficulty in employment placement. The focus of services will be to promote optimal occupational functioning of Veterans within the community. Major duties and responsibilities will include: Determining the vocational goals and objectives of the Veteran based on referral from a professional staff member or by interviewing the Veteran. Determining areas of vocational interest, and deciding what services such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview skills training the Veteran may require in order to successfully obtain employment. Analyzing mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on motivations, adjustment to training, and difficulty in employment placement. Counseling and guiding Veterans through difficult transitions in the adjustment to employment. Approving any significant modifications to the placement contract, evaluating the results of the program, making sound professional arguments for recommended changes, and reporting program progress in accordance with established procedure. Providing a comprehensive assessment to determine appropriateness for Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) intervention and arranging alternative care if Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) admission is not realistic. Developing a written treatment plan that is based upon individual needs, preferences, abilities, strengths spiritual/cultural preferences, and specific therapeutic interventions. Monitoring progress, revising the treatment plan as needed, and developing a discharge plan based on progress in the program. Utilizing the work experience and environment to promote basic employment (job readiness) skills such as appearance, personal hygiene, attendance, punctuality, getting along with co-workers, acceptance of supervision, productivity, quality of work, ability to work independently, and the ability to resolve on-the-job problems. Evaluating individuals' performance, review progress, and development strategies for improvement. Providing individual and group counseling that addresses work adjustment issues, vocational development and assessment, adjustment to disability, barriers to rehabilitation, substance abuse, job seeking and job survival, employment and career planning, life management, follow-up care following graduation, and other issues identified as part of the rehabilitation process. Case management will consist of the following activities: assessment and reassessment of individual needs, goals, and preferences; resource assessment and management; outreach and support to encourage patient participation in the services required; coordination and assistance in crisis intervention and stabilization; liaison with community supports and programs; referrals to appropriate clinics and programs for necessary care. community linkages; transportation, legal and financial concerns; enhancement of functioning in daily living activities; and review and monitoring of the services provided with documentation (treatment plan and progress notes) of progress toward individual goals. Providing aftercare and follow-up services to Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) graduates to ensure continuous support in adjusting to success, and handling the full range of social, living, personal, financial, and vocational issues. Networking with community employers, community agencies, and community businesses with the goal of developing professional relationships with these groups in order to assist program participants in obtaining and maintaining suitable community employment. Providing in service training for Mental Health staff and presents educational lectures to other Mental Health programs. Performing related duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: One year of specialized experience that provided a knowledge of training practices, techniques, and requirements as they relate to vocational development or rehabilitation. To be creditable, experience must have been at the GS-09 grade level in Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program; experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention; or experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: A Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. with a major study in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position. Transcripts required. OR COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and higher-level graduate education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Transcripts required, and experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Education and Training Interpersonal Skills Technical Competence Therapy and Counseling 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 physical demands of this position are moderate. Although some of the physical work is sedentary, there will be significant local travel for support purposes to potential work locations, community locations, and Veteran work sites. This local travel may involve operating vehicles in inclement weather. A valid State issued driver's license is required. The stress related to providing services to Veterans in emotional distress or who may be demanding and uncooperative, can be more significant than that of most sedentary positions. Work is performed in a well-lit and climate-controlled office environment. The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist may have to occasionally work outside in performing job observations or interventions of Veteran work performance. The nature of the Veterans served may entail some risk of physical harm if they become agitated. 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). 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (269) 966-5600. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.