Social Worker (Program Coordinator)-HCHV

Summary

This position is eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

• The Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Outreach Social Work Coordinator located in the SFVA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) catchment area identifies and engages Veterans who are experiencing homelessness or marginally housed and who underutilize VA services.
• The job functions for this position are listed below but not limited to as follows: Provide Veterans with a range of social work services, including assessment and referrals, clinical treatment, short-term case management, advocacy, service coordination, and linkage with VA and community resources.
• This is accomplished in concert with members of the CBOC interdisciplinary team and community providers.
• The incumbent also participates in outreach activities that are not directly related to homeless Veterans but to Veterans in general to provide information related to services and benefits available at SFVAHCS.
• Work confidently with city/county agencies to increase resources for “on-the-street” or marginally housed Veterans.
• The goal is to increase stability in Veterans’ lives and assist Veterans in returning to independent and healthy lifestyles.
• The incumbent will facilitate VA involvement in the CoC’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) and will be responsible for assisting the SFVAHCS meet federal CES guidelines, as described by regulations and guidance published by HUD.
• Coordinate efforts with local planning and support currently provided by VA, HUD, and USICH technical assistance initiatives designed to support local planning and the creation/sustainment of a CES.
• This involvement requires that the Coordinator is both aware and involved in current CoC plans to meet these federal requirements.
• Develop a bio/psycho/social assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the Veteran, the interdisciplinary treatment team, available family members and significant others.
• The goal of the assessment is to highlight the Veteran’s strengths, limitations, and internal/external supports and service needs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the range of treatment and needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness, including OIF/OEF, geriatric, and gender-specific Veterans related to their physical limitations, psychological needs and age-associated mental health, substance use issues and physical conditions.
• The incumbent must understand stressors related to homelessness and the diversity of Veterans.
• Document the assessment with appropriate ROIs and will complete a HOMES assessment.
• As needed, the incumbent re-assesses needs to meet the goals established in the initial intake plan.
• Time frames and requirements for assessments are completed as outlined by Joint Commission, CARF, and local medical center requirements/policies.
• Completes an initial assessment and Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
• The ISP includes Veteran strengths, short & long-terms goals with measurable/S.M.A.R.T. objectives, referral plans, and specific history of (mental health, substance abuse, medical, financial, family, sexual, community/culture, legal, and housing).
• Provide case management services to Veterans as deemed appropriate to ensure follow- through and Veteran needs are being met.
• Case management services will vary depending upon Veteran needs and services are to be tailored to meet individual needs.
• Responsible for outreach to homeless Veterans and can work confidently with city/county agencies to increase resources for “street homeless” or marginally housed Veterans.
• The goal is to increase stability in Veterans’ lives and assist Veterans in returning to independent, healthy, productive lifestyles.
• The social worker will provide direct linkage from community services to SFVAHCS homeless program services through regular and consistent outreach and communication with community providers.
• This includes, but is not limited to, direct linkage to VA mental health services for those Veterans who are at high risk for suicide.
• Act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran.
• When it is appropriate and feasible, the incumbent will educate and encourage the Veteran to advocate on their behalf, thus fostering a sense of independence and empowerment.
• Provides education related to VA and community resources, entitlements, advance directives/living wills and will refer Veterans to the appropriate interdisciplinary team member for identified health education needs.
• Provides the Veterans with ongoing supportive counseling.
• The purpose of such counseling is to assist the Veteran in coping with homelessness and understanding barriers to housing, with a goal of being housed and gainfully employed, when possible.
• In addition, the social worker participates in leading various interdisciplinary treatment groups at the CBOC, including, but not limited to: Sobriety Support and Harm Reduction groups, Advance Directive Education groups, and other groups that promote general healthy welfare for the Veterans.

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you might be required to serve a 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.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• License
• Resume Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted ‘Resume’ document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the ‘Other’ document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Professional Certification
• Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans’ Preference.
• Veterans’ preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.