About this role
Job Summary
The position is located within the Mental Health Integrated Care Community at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, SD.
Qualifications
English Language Proficiency Requirement: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position. ~AND~ In addition to meeting the English Language Proficiency, to qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must meet one of the following: Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
Specialized experience includes: 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.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates, AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, with a major study in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist position.
NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist position.
Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~AND~ Driver's License Requirement (Screen-out): This position requires a current and valid state-issued driver's license (and must possess at application) to perform the official duties of the position. Note: We cannot accept photographs; therefore, please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your current and valid state-issued driver's license. 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 Duties
- THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Major duties include, but are not limited to: Interviews potential program participants in medical centers, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), remotely via VA telemedicine, and/or at locations within the community utilizing motivational interviewing and other counseling techniques to ensure the highest level of services.
- Analyzes information gathered in the interview and/or Vocational Assessment Profile (VAP) to assist the program participant in identifying vocational interests and occupational areas in which they would like to target their job search activities.
- Determines the necessary services that need to be provided to the participant in order to successfully obtain suitable employment, such as job seeking, skills training, resume development, or interview skills.
- Analyzes the impact of mental and physical disabilities on motivations, accommodation needs, and difficulties encountered in employment placement.
- Develops extensive external professional relationships and networks with community employers, agencies, and educational institutions as an active participant in the community, to assist program participants in obtaining and maintaining suitable community employment.
- Initiates conversations with the participants about work and introduces the idea of return-to-work activities.
- Assists participant in networking with contacts within the community, and members of their personal support group.
- Provides ongoing support to participants following TW placement or upon obtaining competitive employment, including assistance with problem solving, developing interpersonal work relationships, maintaining work performance and quality, and life management activities.
- Continues to work with program participants after the participants have obtained employment or a TW placement, as well as the interdisciplinary team and the employer/worksite supervisor, if possible, to provide ongoing support, negotiate any worksite accommodations that may be needed, and work to develop natural supports within the community work setting.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am until 4:00 pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Requirements
You 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 is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort such as walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items such as files and laptops may be required. The employee must hold a current valid driver's license and comport themselves with all applicable VA policies regarding the use of government vehicles and the transportation of Veterans. 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details.
As 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.