Social Worker

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five yrs) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

This Social Work position is located at VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) in the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. VAWNYHS is a complexity level 1B facility that includes two (2) medical campuses and six (6) rural Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). They utilize interdisciplinary models of care coordination, collaboration, streamlined clinical work processes, commitment to evidence-informed staffing and evidence-based clinical practices. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: -Responsible for Veterans in the Health Care for Homeless Veteran Case Management Program, ensuring Veterans receive safe, quality services. -Provides outreach services to engage homeless Veterans. -Independently conducts interviews and assessments for the purpose of connection to VA and community-based services, resources and care. -Possesses extensive knowledge of eligibility criteria for VA homeless programs, local housing resources and how to access the local homelessness system. -Assists unhoused Veterans to enroll in VA healthcare and apply for local, state or federal benefits, including social security or VA service connection. -Advocates on behalf of Veterans who may have encountered barriers to accessing shelter, housing or care. -Collaborates with local emergency departments, military treatment facilities, police, and other community partners who may encounter unhoused Veterans in need of services. -Educates Veterans about available resources in the local community, providing referrals for requested services and ensuring linkages to programs. -Coordinates care serving as an advocate on behalf of the veterans to ensure comprehensive delivery and linking and referring veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies. -Functions effectively within interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care. -Collaborates with the entire HCHV team to ensure high quality, effective, Veteran-centered services at the patient and programmatic levels. -Collaborates with HCHV leadership/team members to develop/enhance educational materials to promote care coordination services. -Responsible for obtaining/maintaining training in Tele-mental Health and all other virtual modalities supported by the VA and provides virtual care to Veterans when clinically appropriate. -Act as advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran and family members/caregiver. When appropriate and feasible, educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on his/her behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment. -In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of his/her respective mental health unit/program and Western New York HCS. -Documents Social Work interventions and activities in patient's clinical record and ensures appropriate handoff when transferring of patient care. The incumbent will enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic medical record using appropriate note titles and templates. This information will be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to ensure the information on the Veteran is shared with other VA staff. -Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers, and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. -Attends all appropriate staff meetings (e.g. HCHV team meetings, Social Work staff meetings, Social Work meetings, discharge planning meetings, supervision meetings, committee meetings, workgroups, etc., as appropriate) and perform other duties as required. The incumbent participates in committee assignments and initiatives, as deemed necessary by the service manager. -Will collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. -Collaborate with the Veteran's' primary care team members to coordinate monitoring activities making recommendations for referral of Veterans to a variety of appropriate programs such as health MHICM, PRRC, etc. -Maintaining awareness of suicide treatment options and making recommendations as indicated. -Assures high risk patients have completed and received a copy of safety plan which documents patient goals. -Collects and reports data related to risk behaviors, safety plan completion, outreach activities and high-risk monitory as required by local administration, VISN, and VACO OMHSP. -Other duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available on an Ad-Hoc basis only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 74973F/74974F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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. 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.

Qualifications and evaluation

Areas of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current, Permanent Employees of the WNY VA Healthcare System to include Current and Past Health Professions Trainees.. 2. Current, Permanent Employees of the Agency - Veterans Affairs. 3. All other applicants - 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.

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/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/19/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13086629. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 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 (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification 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.

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.