About this role
Job Summary
The VA Augusta Health Care System is recruiting for a Social Worker Program Coordinator (GS-12) within the Social Work Service Line. The incumbent serves as an advanced practice social worker and program coordinator responsible for managing a major specialty program such as Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST), Homeless Veterans Program (HVP), Community Nursing Home Program (CNHP), Caregiver Support, or another designated specialty area.
Qualifications
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. Basic
Requirements: United States Citizenship
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: 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 accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
NOTE: You must submit transcripts (unofficial is sufficient) AND a license with your application. Licensure: 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required at the GS-12 Level 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). Grade Determinations: Experience: Experience must reflect the ability to:
- Independently conduct advanced clinical assessments and interventions.
- Coordinate, implement, or oversee activities within a specialty social work program.
- Provide consultation, training, and education to interdisciplinary staff, Veterans, families, and community partners.
- Participate in program development, evaluation, and data collection initiatives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for assigned specialty areas such as SCI, VIST, HVP, CNHP, Caregiver Support, or others.
Applicants must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the field of professional social work. This experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment, specialized knowledge of social work services in a major specialty program, and progressively complex responsibility in program development, coordination, or oversight. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Skill in coordinating and implementing clinical programs within a specialty area. Knowledge of program coordination and administration, including consultation, negotiation, and monitoring.
Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for program operations. Skill in program development and outcome evaluation, including data analysis and reporting. Ability to provide training, education, and consultation to staff, Veterans, families, and community partners. Knowledge of advanced clinical social work practices and ability to independently provide specialized clinical services.
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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12.
Physical
Requirements
The work is primarily sedentary but also requires some physical effort. The incumbent must be able to perform the following:- Moderate walking and standing, including the ability to walk throughout the medical center, CBOCs, and community locations.- Sitting for extended periods while performing administrative tasks.- Bending, reaching, and the ability to lift or carry light items such as papers, small files, or educational materials.- Driving a government vehicle for community visits, outreach events, or home assessments, if required.- Maintaining emotional and mental stability to effectively perform essential functions, including working with Veterans and families experiencing crisis, trauma, or serious illness.- Occasional travel may be required.
Major Duties
- Duties include, however, not limited to: Manages daily operations of the assigned specialty program.
- Develops and implements program policies, procedures, clinical guidelines, and protocols.
- Tracks and analyzes program data including referrals, utilization, demographics, and outcomes.
- Provides direct clinical services including assessment, treatment planning, and evidence-based interventions.
- Provides education, in-service training, and consultation to VA staff, Veterans, families, and community agencies.
- Facilitates support groups and distributes appropriate educational materials.
- Coordinates with interdisciplinary teams across the medical center to enhance Veteran care.
- Conducts outreach to state, local, and community agencies, Veteran organizations, Guard/Reserve units, and other stakeholders.
- Serves as a liaison between the VA and community programs to support system navigation for Veterans.
- Participates in committees and work groups at the local, VISN, and national levels when required.
- Supports caregiver programs and assists with resource development and training.
- Performs program evaluation, performance improvement, research, policy development, and technical assistance activities.
- May be required to travel to CBOCs or other VA facilities and may participate in on-call rotations.
VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU Work Schedule: 8AM to 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62311F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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.
Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.