Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit their 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 application. Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Resume must include: job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when no qualified citizens can be recruited in compliance with VA policy. English Language Proficiency: Proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work in candidacy do not meet this requirement until full accreditation; a doctoral degree may not substitute for the master's degree. Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS‑0185 series must be licensed or certified by a state to practice independently at the master’s level. Current state requirements can be reviewed at vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. VHA may waive licensure or certification for GS‑9 candidates who are otherwise qualified and are pending completion of state prerequisites; for GS‑11 and above the candidate must be licensed or certified. Education Verification Verification of the degree can be made by going to to confirm that the social work degree meets CSWE standards for a Master’s degree. Grade Determinations GS‑09 Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements listed above. In addition to basic qualifications, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to work with Veterans and family members from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds utilizing counseling skills. Ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their families, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed. Ability to implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals, using supportive, problem‑solving, or crisis intervention techniques. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agency representatives. Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects, and medical terminology. GS‑11 Experience and Licensure: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of post‑MSW experience equivalent to the GS‑9 grade level in healthcare or related social work settings and be licensed or certified at the independent practice level. Alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the required one year of professional experience. In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of community resources, ability to make appropriate referrals to community and governmental agencies, and ability to coordinate services. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for a wide variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Assignments Individuals assigned as GS‑9 grade level social workers are considered entry level and are closely supervised, as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure or certification. GS‑9 workers are typically assigned to program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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