Senior Social Worker

Summary

This position functions as a Social Worker (Program Coordinator) of the VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) component of the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program. HUD-VASH us a collaborative effort, supported through HUD Section 8 rental assistance vouchers and VA's provision of intensive case management services.

Duties

VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU The social worker is the Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) Specialist for Homeless Programs. This position provides direct case management and intervention support to Veterans enrolled in the HUD-VASH program who have been diagnosed with a serious mental health disorder. The incumbent will provide consultation for Veterans with an SMI in Grant and Per Diem, or HCHV Contract Residential Care. The SMI Specialist supports the Homeless Programs by providing early engagement, and ensuring continuity of care between Homeless Programs that serve Veterans with SMIs as they transition from engagement and stabilization through programs such as Addiction Treatment Programs, Health Care for Homeless Veterans Contracted Housing, and Grant Per Diem Programs to HUD-VASH. The social worker provides on-going intensive case management that is specifically tailored for Veterans experiencing a serious mental illness and providing early treatment interventions to promote sustained stability in subsidized permanent housing. These Veterans are frequently homeless due to their mental health diagnosis, thus providing SMI treatment support and early intervention promotes recovery, improved quality of life and successful permanent housing. The incumbent will possess knowledge and skill to work with Veterans who are dually diagnosed with co-occurring issues, such as, substance use, physical health, and social problems that require particular skill in early intervention and crisis management. The social worker must be able to develop appropriate professional relationships with the Veterans and meet the Veteran where he or she is ready to engage in treatment. The social worker also will need to develop liaison relationships with more acute treatment providers/ programs, such as the Veteran's psychiatrist, PRRC, Dual Diagnosis and any other provider in BHIP. The social worker will provide appropriate group and individual case management and treatment. The incumbent will collaborate in the performance improvement processes and comply with Performance Measures as required by Mental Health Service and the Medical Center. Incumbent may provide training experiences for graduate social work trainees as well as other allied health care trainees and/or may provide supervision for unlicensed staff social workers. A. Provides direct SMI services for the Homeless Programs in the Medical Center. B. Provides Outreach services for the Homeless Programs in the community. C. Provides training for other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team in areas related to SMI assessment and diagnosis, anger management, and life skills and SMI with co-occurring disorders. D. Independently conducts intake and needs assessment of homeless Veterans and their significant others. Identifies symptoms leading to clinical diagnoses of SMI. E. Provides all necessary assessment functions, e.g. interviewing, psychosocial histories, and SUD assessments to aid in the development of treatment plans. F. Develops comprehensive treatment plans with the Veteran that address the factors that contributed to homelessness, including SUD and other co-occurring factors within a recovery model framework. G. Works with the Veteran to realize the Veteran's treatment goals, and reassesses and revises goals as indicated by the Veteran's engagement in treatment. H. Organizes and conducts individual and group case management and SMI treatment, to include early interventions and supportive follow-up to ensure stability in home visits and facility-based contacts. I. Will serve as a member of a multidisciplinary homeless program treatment team. J. Will develop partnerships with community agencies, especially those serving homeless and Veterans diagnosed with SMI, with regular contact and communication. K. Will participate in policy making, goal setting, and treatment service planning discussions with other members of the VA Homeless Programs. L. Will be responsible for the collection of statistical data and for reviewing the data to improve performance and delivery of services to homeless Veterans. M. Provides recovery -oriented treatment with the goal of establishing the Veteran independently in the community at the Veteran's highest level of functioning and quality of life. N. Maintains a caseload of Veterans in the HUD-VASH program who are experiencing serious mental health concerns and diagnosis. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the agency.) Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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. 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. 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). 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 and evaluation

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

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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 10/09/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13080954. 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: License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Transcript Resume Requirement: Your resume must be detailed include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week. SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action: Current Federal Employees are mandated to submit your recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) dated 2026 for eligibility that displays your actual and current grade, step, salary, and tenure. Award SF-50s are not considered eligible. 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. DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) 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.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. 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. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.