About this role
Job SummaryServes as the Assistant Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Officer, in a Regional Office setting, providing administrative and technical direction and professional leadership to a professional and technical staff of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and clerical staff in the Regional Office and its out-based locations. In the absence of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Officer, will function as the Acting VRE Officer exercising all appropriate duties and responsibilities.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 09/22/2026 TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-13 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience in Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment programs 1) specialization in vocational rehabilitation and employment programs; 2) possessing knowledge and proficiency in the regulations of vocational and rehabilitation law; 3) the skills needed to administrate and counsel in the areas of entitlements for career development, job placement, psychology, rehabilitation, and counseling and 4) the authority to control budgetary resources for approving and monitoring financial expenditures. Education cannot be used to qualify for the GS-13. Volunteer Experience: 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; religious; 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The position is primarily in an office setting. Some travel may be necessary on occasion for training, meetings, or customer interactions. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Major DutiesSupervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation, counseling, and case management services to disabled veterans and other eligible individuals. The purpose, objectives, services, and outcomes are developed by the VRC during the evaluation. The program's primary focus will be on helping the Veteran find work and set goals and objectives to help them become more independent in their daily Duties are divided between counseling duties and case management which include the following, but are not limited to: Supervises Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) staff at out-based locations and within the Regional Office. The AVREO is responsible for the administration and workflow of the VR&E Division program. Facilitates operations with major public and private universities, community colleges, and vocational/technical institutes in the state to resolve training issues. Serves as a technical representative in developing, awarding, implementing and evaluating contracts to provide professional counseling, evaluation, case management, employment, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) services. Gathers and interprets a wide range of data addressing service concerns and is able to recommend appropriate action based on that data. Works closely with division teams in planning, designing, and carrying out programs, projects, studies, or other work to support the mission. Evaluates the work performance of subordinates, make recommendations to fill division positions, receive employee complaints, approve employee travel, recommend awards and determine alternative courses of action to reduce work backlogs and barriers to production. Develops multi-year plans for scheduling in-service and contract work. The incumbent provides supervision of contract quality reviews and ensures that all contracting activity in the out-based offices or under the division control is consistent with regulatory requirements. Possess extensive knowledge about Department of Veterans Affairs laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and their proper utilization and application and must be aware of the full scope of benefits and services available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies or sources. Serves as the professional and technical expert to advise higher management in areas of education, training, psychology, testing, evaluation, counseling, rehabilitation, job development, and job placement in this capacity is responsible for implementing the counseling, training, and related rehabilitation services under Chapter 31 and other VA rehabilitation, educational, and training programs as well. Assists the VR&E Officer by providing professional and technical expertise in all phases of rehabilitation activities, including counseling, case management, rehabilitation plan development, and job development and placement. Promotion Potential: None Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description Title/PD#: Vocational Rehab Counselor; PD 002760. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Required Bargaining Unit: NoRequirementsAs a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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. Additional Conditions of Employment are as follows: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary or trial period 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 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.