Vacancy expired!
SummaryTHE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL NOW CLOSE ON 6/30/2020.ResponsibilitiesThis position is being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program. It is designed to allow recent graduates to enter VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic developmental program with potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. For more information concerning this program, visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Overview Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling and case management services to disabled Veterans and other eligible individuals. The primary emphasis of the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program is on achieving an employment outcome for the Veteran. Specific duties include: Provides counseling services to severely disabled Veterans with complicated rehabilitation plans such as those calling for homebound and self-employment services. Provides individual and group counseling sessions to provide information and assistance with the Chapter 31 program. Conducts comprehensive initial evaluations to determine the existence of a vocational impairment and whether this impairment constitutes an employment handicap, the severity of the employment handicap, the feasibility for achieving a vocational goal, entitlement to Chapter 31 rehabilitation benefits, and the need for independent living services. Assists the Veteran in exploring and identifying rehabilitation needs, goals, and objectives. Provides case management services including coordination of all rehabilitation services, employment services, documentation of progress and adjustment and maintenance of case records according to VA regulations. Works closely with other services within VA and other public and private agencies to ensure the Veteran receives the full range of services necessary to achieve vocational rehabilitation. Provides comprehensive employment and post-employment services which include assessing employability and assisting in the development of an employment assistance plan. The incumbent will have knowledge of the requirements and needs of the local labor market. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The grade progression for this position is: GS-09/11/12. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through FridayCompressed/Flexible Schedule: Not AvailableTelework: AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionPosition Description Title/PD#: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, 38544ARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedFinancial Disclosure Report: RequiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/30/2020. 1. RECENT GRADUATE REQUIREMENT: You must have obtained a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctoral, or technical/vocational degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years. Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree (or certification) was completed. 2. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for this position, you must have one of the following degrees. Your application MUST include a transcript (not diploma) stating the degree has been conferred or that you have graduated. A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling; OR A master's degree in counseling psychology (or related field) supplemented by at least 30 semester hours of course work in a majority of the following areas (coursework MUST have an emphasis on vocational rehabilitation counseling): foundations of rehabilitation counseling, human growth and development, counseling theories and techniques, vocational assessment, career development, job placement, case management, and medical/psycho-social aspects of disability. 3. INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENT: Your degree must have included either an internship or experience as described below. The experience or internship/practicum must have been supervised by a professional in vocational rehabilitation or a closely related professional field that typically has oversight for vocational rehabilitation programs. An internship in rehabilitation counseling; OR One year post-masters degree experience in direct delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to adults with disabilities in rehabilitation programs (other than those in correctional facilities). 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary with some walking, standing, bending, and/or carrying lightweight items.EducationA transcript must be submitted with your application. It must include your coursework and date of conferral of a Masters degree in vocational rehabilitation (or related) field. 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.Additional InformationVA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
