Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Full Job Description

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist functions as a program coordinator and interdisciplinary liaison.

The position develops and provides vocational rehabilitation services for Veterans who have occupational dysfunctions resulting from mental health conditions or who have been unsuccessful at obtaining or maintaining stable employment due to mental illness or physical impairments that are co-occurring with mental illness.

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-11 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS & SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: 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 Development 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: THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE. ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE GS-11: You must have successfully completed a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position.

Education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university.

(COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION) ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION GS-11: You must have equivalent combinations 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 must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

(THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE AND COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION) 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*** The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) serves as the Coordinator for Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) services, including Transitional Work (TW) and Supported Employment (SE).

This role provides vocational rehabilitation services to Veterans with mental health conditions or co-occurring physical impairments, helping them achieve employment and educational goals through individualized treatment planning, counseling, and program coordination.

Major duties and responsibilities include: Coordinate CWT programs (TW and SE) and manage referrals.

Perform administrative and managerial tasks, including program planning, policy updates, and resource justification. Participate in interdisciplinary performance improvement activities.

Screen Veterans for vocational interests, skills, and limitations. Develop individualized vocational rehabilitation plans in collaboration with treatment teams.

Provide ongoing vocational counseling and monitor progress toward treatment goals. Advise Veterans on educational and vocational training opportunities.

Assess learning styles, academic levels, and recommend accommodations. Collaborate with educational institutions, training providers, and financial aid resources.

Identify and coordinate suitable community employment opportunities. Establish and monitor work assignments; promote successful job adjustment.

Maintain employer relationships and oversee placement programs. Track Veterans' progress and provide counseling during transitions.

Resolve workplace challenges and ensure positive employer relationships. Document evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).

Manage CWT funds, prepare vouchers, reconcile accounts, and ensure fiscal compliance.

Prepare and submit required reports (Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) forms, staffing reports, annual program reports). Consult with Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

Participate in treatment planning meetings and performance improvement activities. Performing other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.