Social Worker (Program Coordinator)

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.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

02Education

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 4 accreditation standards for a Masters of Social Work.

03Licensure

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/. Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations.

This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.

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).

04Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Program Coordinator), GS-12: Experience and Education: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, demonstrating progressively more professional competency.

Candidate 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: Knowledge of program coordination and administration which includes consultation, negotiation, and monitoring. Knowledge and ability to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the program. Ability to supervise multidisciplinary staff assigned to the program. Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting multiple deadlines, and evaluating assigned program area(s).

Ability to provide training, orientation, and guidance within clinical practice.

05Preferred Experience

Experience coordinating homeless, residential, or community-based programs, including case management and care coordination for vulnerable populations. Advanced social work experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and clinical consultation. Knowledge of contract oversight, community resources, and programs serving Veterans experience homelessness. 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-12.

06Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

The Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Social Work Program Coordinator serves as the primary liaison for Contract Residential Services (CRS) and coordinates high-quality residential, clinical, and supportive services for Veterans experiencing homelessness. Duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinates CRS admissions, placements, transitions, referrals, and follow-up services with VA programs, contract providers, and community organizations.

• Develops compliant admission procedures, verifies eligibility, assesses medical and mental health stability, and ensures equitable access to services.
• Provides advanced clinical social work services, including psychosocial assessment, case management, crisis intervention, advocacy, and care coordination.
• Maintains accurate and timely VA records for eligibility, admissions, discharges, progress, outcomes, authorizations, and billing.
• Monitors contract performance, service quality, deliverables, and Veteran outcomes; coordinates corrective actions and reviews payment requests with contracting officials.
• Conducts required inspections and unannounced site visits and reports suspected neglect, abuse, or impropriety through established VA channels.
• Coordinates approvals and documentation for new or modified CRS programs, including bed capacity, per diem rates, liaison assignments, and program termination.
• Provides subject-matter expertise for acquisition planning, solicitation activities, and preparation of acquisition packages and performance work statements.
• Build partnerships with VA and community organizations to address service gaps and improve continuity of care.
• Provides consultation, training, mentoring, clinical guidance, and licensure supervision, as authorized, while ensuring compliance with professional, legal, ethical, and VA requirements.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Location: Non-VA, Brooklyn-based location 3-days per week. Manhattan VAMC location 2-days per week. Work Schedule: 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 [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 75149F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.