Social Worker - Health Care For Homeless Veterans Outreach

## Social Worker (GS-09/11) - Department of Veterans Affairs

Join the Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) as a Social Worker, providing essential support and services to Veterans and their families. This role involves assessing psychosocial needs, developing treatment plans, and coordinating resources to enhance the well-being of those who have served our nation. We are seeking dedicated professionals ready to make a significant impact.

### Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments for Veterans and their families, identifying strengths, needs, and coping mechanisms.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans utilizing various modalities (individual, family, group counseling).
• Provide supportive, problem-solving, and crisis intervention techniques to achieve treatment goals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans, staff, and community agencies.
• Apply fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures (including acute, chronic, traumatic illnesses, medications, and terminology).
• **(For GS-11):** Independently conduct complex assessments and interventions, utilizing knowledge of community resources for appropriate referrals and service coordination.
• **(For GS-11):** Provide consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial needs and their impact on health care.

### Qualifications:

• *Basic Requirements (All Candidates):**
• **Citizenship:** U.S. Citizen.
• **Language:** Proficient in spoken and written English.
• **Education:** Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school.
• **Licensure:** State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.

* **Note for GS-9:** Licensure may be waived for up to three years post-employment if otherwise qualified and actively pursuing state prerequisites.

• *Grade-Specific Requirements:**
• *GS-09 Social Worker:**
• Meets all basic requirements (experience beyond MSW not required).
• Demonstrates ability to work with diverse Veterans and families, assess needs, implement treatment plans, and understand medical/mental health contexts.
• *GS-11 Social Worker:**
• **Experience & Licensure:** Minimum one year of post-MSW experience (equivalent to GS-09 level) in healthcare or social work, and independent practice licensure.

* **or** A doctoral degree in social work (substitutes for one year experience and licensure).

• **Advanced Skills:**

* Expertise in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions for diverse populations. * Strong knowledge of community resources and skill in coordinating services. * Ability to provide consultation to other social workers and staff.

• *Physical Requirements:**
• Primarily sedentary work with occasional lifting (10-20 lbs.).
• Requires reaching, frequent keyboarding, sitting, walking, standing, occasional bending, and rapid mental/muscular coordination.
• *Preferred Experience:**
• Experience within a homeless outreach program.