Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/30/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the GS 1715 occupational series. Education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. To qualify for this occupational series, applicants must have one of the following listed below: Undergraduate and graduate education Major study -- vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position (Transcript required).

OR, Specialized experience (for positions above GS-5): Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program.

Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention.

Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems.

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement requirements, applicants may qualify based on experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Establish and maintain relationships with Veteran to support successful goal of competitive employment in community job settings. Assesses training needs to meet client's vocational goals. Conduct job development, job search, and job carving activities to secure employment opportunities tailored to each Veteran's strengths, interests, and abilities. Provides counseling to allow treatment to continue on schedule.

Exercise sound judgment and problem-solving skills in working with employers to ensure successful employment for the Veterans and the employer. Maintain employer contacts based on individual Veteran's interest. Develop strategies that motivate Veterans to actively pursue employment opportunities and address concerns related to benefits. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year starting and ending dates AND hours worked per week.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. with a major study in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position. Note: Transcripts required.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education beyond 2 years (36 semester hours) as described above that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Note: Transcripts required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Based on information gathered from the treatment team, biopsychosocial assessments, participant interviews and other related assessment tools, the VRS assists the Veteran in developing a vocational goal and related objectives which aligns with individual employment related factors such as their interests, skills, preferences, limitations, barriers, aptitudes, and capabilities.

In developing VR treatment plans the VRS determines what services such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview skills training the participant may require to successfully obtain suitable employment. When the need for additional training is identified, the VRS works with community partners to assist the participant in accessing training and opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for their vocational goal.

Responsible for entering all assessments and the result of evaluation data into the electronic medical record system. Assessments and evaluations must adhere to all CARE guidelines. They must consider all factors that impact the Veteran's ability to engage in training, as well as in the ability to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Responsible for creating and maintaining a network of employment resources for the clients they serve.

This includes forming relationships with community employers, community service providers and other resources. The VRS networks in the community with the goal of developing professional relationships which can be leveraged to assist Vocational Rehabilitation participants in obtaining training and employment. Once the participant becomes employed in the community the VRS provides job retention services.

This includes contact with the employed participant at prescribed intervals, meeting with the Veteran at the work site (when appropriate), or with the participants agreement directly interacting with the employer/supervisor to coordinate accommodations or other efforts to assist the participant in reaching employment stability.

If the participant requires disability related accommodations and agrees to disclose the VRS will work with the employer to help them understand the nature of the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability of success. Ensures that the program participant has a clear understanding of program requirements such as adherence to expectations as spelled out in program documents provided at intake.

The VRS meets with the participant on regular intervals to monitor progress towards goals and make any necessary changes to the VR Treatment Plan. Will assist the Veteran in networking with contacts within the community, and members of their personal support group. The VRS will provide ongoing support and guidance to the Veteran throughout all phases of the job search. The VRS may be assigned other administrative duties as needed to advance the Compensated Work Therapy programs.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc may be authorized at supervisors discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist/PD90475A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized