Social Services Assistant

Full Job Description

The Southern Arizona VA Healthcare Network is currently recruiting for a Social Service Assistant (SSA) to support the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program.

The primary objective is to assist Veterans and their families in transitioning out of chronic homelessness through comprehensive case management services aimed at improving their physical and mental health, fostering stability, and promoting community integration.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/08/2026.

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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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.

This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR): Applicants must satisfy the following criteria: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs.

Counselor in a youth summer camp. Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills.

Work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew. Group activities leader in the Armed Services.

Unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility.

Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development.

Aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities.

Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs.

Grade level Requirement GS-06 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: utilizing automated systems to maintain case records and generate reports; assisting in interviewing clients to assess their needs and referring them to suitable community resources, programs, or services; and explaining policies, procedures, or program requirements.

Preferred Experience: Previous experience working with individuals and/or Veterans experiencing homelessness, familiarity with resources available to Veterans facing homelessness, and knowledge of HUD and housing policies and regulations.

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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must have a current, valid driver's license and be able to drive a government-owned or leased vehicle.

There will be walking; standing; bending; carrying light items such as books, papers, etc.; accessing transportation; and driving a government-owned or leased 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 Duties:

Include but are not limited to: Documenting Patient Encounters in Electronic Health Record & Patient Data Entry Use MS Word to store, retrieve, edit, and format documents.

Utilize VHA-approved systems, including CPRS, to document and capture required data accurately and promptly, following all policies.

Report patient and safety concerns immediately to supervisors or care teams, documenting them in designated systems per national and local directives.

Record clinical, safety, and quality concerns in appropriate reporting systems. File Disruptive Behavior Reports for disruptive conduct at SAVAHCS, CBOCs, or the community.

Use HOMES for tracking homeless Veterans' progress through VA programs.

Direct Patient Care & Screening Serve as a liaison for Veterans' needs, relaying concerns to HUD-VASH Case Managers, Program Coordinator, or Supervisor.

Meet with Veterans individually in office, community, and home settings. Respond promptly and courteously to calls, providing requested information while adhering to privacy rules.

Report safety concerns, including suicide risk, abuse, or neglect, promptly to clinical staff.

Participate in multidisciplinary reviews with the HUD-VASH team, Veteran, and stakeholders to monitor housing, treatment goals, and progress on employment, income, substance use, and legal issues.

Maintain strong professional relationships with medical staff, community agencies, and support systems to deliver safe, effective, timely, and patient-centered care.

Directly Assisting Patients with Housing Process & Community Supports Lead psycho-educational groups on housing and mental health using various materials Maintain a valid driver's license to transport Veterans to housing sites, medical appointments, social activities, community resources, and employment opportunities Assist Veterans in securing appropriate, affordable housing in the most independent and least restrictive environment by accompanying them on viewings via driving or public transit Model effective coping and self-help strategies in collaboration with homeless outreach and HUD-VASH staff Provide Required Documentation Collaborate with community organizations to promote Veteran integration, natural supports, and self-reliance.

Share self-help resources and encourage expansion of services as needed.

Complete referral packets for PHA, assisting Veterans with required documentation, and refer Veterans to community agencies like SSVF for housing and financial support.

Use SOAR training to aid Veterans in applying for Social Security, VA benefits, and pensions. Utilize HEAPlus to help Veterans access AHCCCS, Nutrition Assistance, and other benefits.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 07:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Social Services Assistant/PD14853A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized