Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist - HUD-VASH Employment Specialist

Full Job Description

The HUD-VASH Employment Specialist position is focused on assisting homeless Veterans in obtaining and maintaining employment.

This position is part of the multidisciplinary HUD-VASH team and supports Veterans' transition into stable housing and community integration through employment services.

The focus is to promote optimal vocational functioning of clients within the community, in the context of prescribed job development interventions specified in the clients' treatment plans.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/31/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-8 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position.

Physical Requirements: This position requires the operation of a government-owned vehicles in support of official VA duties, including transporting veterans, supplies, or staff as needed.

The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid drivers license. Some light physical activity is necessary when organizing materials for job fairs and workshops.

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 position is part of the multidisciplinary HUD-VASH team and supports Veterans' transition into stable housing and community integration through employment services.

The focus is to promote optimal vocational functioning of clients within the community, in the context of prescribed job development interventions specified in the clients' treatment plans.

Employment Services/ Collaboration (70%): - Assist Veterans in developing individualized employment plans. - Coach Veterans on job search techniques, resume writing, and interview skills.

- Promote job readiness and provide job placement services. - Conduct employment workshops and training sessions.

- Work closely with HUD-VASH social workers, case managers, and VA healthcare providers.

- Coordinate services and resources to address employment barriers, such as providing referrals to mental health services, substance use treatment, and financial counseling.

- Works directly with community agencies, and community employers with the goal of assisting Veterans in obtaining and maintaining suitable employment.

Case Management (20%): - Assess the vocational needs and barriers of participating Veterans. - Provide ongoing support and follow-up to ensure Veterans maintain employment.

- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community employers and job training programs.

- Provides therapeutic employment services (skills training and development services, employment support services, and job development and placement services) to Homeless Veterans in need of rehabilitation for mental health disorders, including serious mental illness, PTSD, and substance use disorders; and Veterans with co-occurring physical disorders, such as Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Polytrauma, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

- Adapts the best practices of supported employment to meet the needs of Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

With the ability to utilize employment services, Veterans will be better able to obtain and maintain community-based employment.

- Utilizes motivational Interviewing techniques to ensure the highest level of services. Reporting and Documentation (10%): - Maintain accurate and timely records of all interactions with Veterans.

- Track employment outcomes and report to HUD-VASH program managers. - Ensure compliance with all relevant VA policies and procedures.

- Enters initial assessments data, Individualized Service Delivery Plans, and discharge summaries into the electronic medical record and HCHV program evaluation forms.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist - HUD-VASH Employment Specialist/PD926390 and PD926390 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized