Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your 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 EDRP application.
Duties VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
- Administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to patients.
- Develops and implements information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, inpatient days, patient demographics, equipment utilization and patient satisfaction.
- Develops implements and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services.
- Supervises a group of employees performing work at various GS levels (e.g. nurses, addiction therapists, clerical staff, health techs, program support assistants, etc.)
- Provides administrative, technical and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit/service including outreach efforts, CBOC involvement and efforts at other sites within a Health Care System.
- Performs the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised.
- Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system.
- Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques.
- Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance.
- Able to resolve informal complaints and grievances.
- Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary.
- Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters.
- Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area.
- Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests.
- Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations.
- Responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, and affirmative action.
- Supervises employees to accomplish the work of the organization unit.
- Exercises supervisor authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review, as well as the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised.
- Performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to State, local, and private agencies, and universities.
- Technical assistance provided is based on monitoring activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information.
- Uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements.
- Performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and ensures that the program meets standards as set forth by CARF, TJC, and other regulatory entities.
- Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs.
- Responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component.
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: May be available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:25105F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedQualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Education. Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully
accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of
social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of
Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted
for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the
accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
- Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to
http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid.
- Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/registration
- requirements that apply to this occupation.
- (1) All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this
- qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the
title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification
that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- (2) Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be
reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or
changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the
journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the
qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be
reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic
requirements of the standard.
- English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written
English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: IN ADDITION TO BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE THE BELOW EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE AND KSA'S ARE REQUIRED
Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-13
Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.
Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment,
demonstrating progressively more professional competency. Candidates may have
certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized
professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of
study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience.
Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as social worker program coordinator
must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to
provide supervision for licensure.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience
above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.
(a) Skill in coordinating and implementing one or more specialty program(s), across the
facility.
(b) Skill in local policy and practice development, procedures, and/or practice
guidelines for the program as prescribed by the program handbook or national
directive.
(c) Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and
evaluating assigned program area(s).
(d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals
and enhance patient centered care.
(e) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties including assignment of work to
be performed; performance evaluations; and selection of staff, training, and
recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary
action.
(f) Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund
controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment
needs, and administer the allocated budget.
(g) Knowledge of organizational structure and impact on program operations.
Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level
duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be
performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At this grade level, social worker
program coordinators oversee the administrative and clinical aspects of a major
specialty treatment program, such as, but not limited to: Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder, Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Home-Based Primary Care, Mental
Health Intensive Case Management, Caregiver Support Program or Transition and
Care Management Program, or a combination of programs located at one facility or
multiple divisions of a facility. They are responsible for coordinating interdisciplinary
staffing, work assignments, budget, treatment services provided, and admission criteria
for the program. The program coordinator may or may not have supervisory
responsibilities. They have full responsibility for all phases of service delivery for a
major specialty program. The program coordinator is responsible for the program's
resource and fiscal management, monitoring control points developing the annual
budget, operating within that budget, and accounting for appropriated funds. They are
administratively responsible for the programming and operations of the program
assigned, develop policies and procedures for program operation, and prepare reports
and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. Program coordinators provide
leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and
continuing education programs for assigned staff. They initiate and conduct program or
service audits and complete designated clinical practice audits and reports, including
productivity. Program coordinators oversee program operations and evaluations,
identifying areas for improvement, gathering relevant data, assessing the data,
developing and implementing ideas for improvement, and evaluating efficacy of
improvement efforts.]
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.
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/.Requirements
- 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.
- 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.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/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 may be required to serve a 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.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.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 11/12/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104911.
- 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. Other 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.
