About this role
Job SummaryThe HUD-VASH Employment Specialist carries out all duties related to obtaining and maintaining competitive employment for homeless or at-risk of homelessness Veterans who are referred by a homeless program provider or self-present for employment services. The focus of the services will be to promote optimal occupational functioning of clients within the community by utilizing appropriate counseling, job search, job development, and job placement interventions.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/14/2026. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): The 1715 series requires specific education or experience to be met in order to be appointed into a position of this series. You must meet one of the pre-determined Education or Experience Individual Occupational Requirements listed below as set by Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position. 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 both the IOR and Time-In-grade, you must meet the specialized experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Assisting senior specialists or counselors in providing vocational guidance to individuals exploring career or training options. Participating in case management activities such as collecting client history, documenting progress, or helping develop individualized vocational plans. Supporting job development efforts by contacting potential employers, arranging interviews, or facilitating job leads for clients. Conducting basic vocational assessments to determine interests and aptitudes. Applying established policies and procedures related to vocational rehabilitation or employment support programs. Coordinating or assisting with outreach activities such as job fairs or informational sessions for clients. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR, Combination: Combination of specialized experience as described above and graduate education as described above which totals at least two years. [To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.] Driver's License: A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, but does require intermittent driving, standing, and walking. A valid driver's license is required. The work requires that the incumbent drive on a regular basis as a significant amount of their time may be spent in the community meeting with Veterans, employers and other community agency representatives. Work Environment: The work will take place in both standard office settings and in the community at locations such as libraries, employment resource centers and at various job sites. Because of the driving requirement, some work will also take place in a vehicle. 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/.
Major DutiesThe duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Vocational Assessment: Assists senior staff with evaluating veterans' abilities, aptitudes, interests, and barriers to employment using standardized tools, interviews, and records reviews. Career Counseling: Provides entry-level career guidance under supervision to veterans and clients regarding career options, training opportunities, and educational programs. Individualized Vocational Planning: Helps develop and monitor individualized vocational plans in collaboration with senior staff and the client, ensuring alignment with goals and abilities. Job Development and Placement Support: Contacts prospective employers, arranges job interviews, and assists clients in job search activities. Maintains contact with community agencies and workforce partners. Case Management: Maintains accurate records of client progress, services provided, and outcomes in accordance with VA policies and federal regulations. Program Support: Assists in outreach activities, career fairs, and informational sessions to inform veterans about available programs and resources. Regulatory Compliance: Applies VA policies, regulations, and procedures regarding vocational rehabilitation and employment, ensuring client confidentiality and data security. Team Collaboration: Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, consults with vocational counselors, psychologists, and other clinical staff. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, or 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Monday-Friday; subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Vocational Development Specialist/PD841280 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.