Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Social Work Service Line at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist possesses intensive knowledge of mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on work tolerances, motivations, adjustment to training, and difficulty in employment placement.

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.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. 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*** The major duties include but are not limited to: Determines the vocational goals and objectives of the Veteran based on referral from a professional staff member or by interviewing the Veteran; Determines areas of vocational interest, and decides what services such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview skills training the Veteran may require in order to successfully obtain employment; Analyzes mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on motivations, adjustment to training, and difficulty in employment placement; Counsels and guides Veterans through difficult transitions in the adjustment to employment; Helps employers understand the nature of the Veteran's abilities while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability of success; Approves any significant modifications to the placement contract, evaluates the results of the program, makes sound professional arguments for recommended changes, and reports program progress in accordance with established procedure; Assists the Veteran to find suitable employment opportunities, monitors progress, and promotes successful adjustment; Networks with community employers, community agencies, and community businesses with the goal of developing professional relationships with these groups in order to assist program participants in obtaining and maintaining suitable community employment; and, Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved