Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Summary

This Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist position is located at the Gulf Coast Blind Rehabilitation Center (GCBRC) and provides supervision and subject matter expertise for the provision of blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation to include assessment, treatment and follow-up for the purpose of overseeing the work of Blind Rehabilitation Specialists who are at the GS-9 to GS-11 performance level.
• Duties of the Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates knowledge of in Low Vision, Orientation and Mobility, Living Skills, Manual Skills, and Computer Access Training.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Low Vision functional assessments and training techniques and skills and incorporate them into the treatment program of each patient, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge of, and the ability to properly administer, assessments and understand the use in providing comprehensive instruction and training.
• Assists other section supervisors in scheduling the Veteran’s treatment program.
• Manages the weekly/daily staff teaching schedule and Veteran assignments for the team or department.
• Schedules regular treatment team and departmental meetings for sharing of information.
• Works with Interdisciplinary team composition, to develop an individualized comprehensive treatment plan of care for residents seeking rehabilitation services.
• Participates in the family training program to promote the continued personal development of the patient after returning to the home environment.
• Develops in-service education for blind individuals/family in order that they may gain a greater understanding of the complexities of blindness and the rehabilitation process and for the family that they may gain a greater understanding of the Veteran’s visual impairment.
• Assigns departmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of these duties.
• Resolves instructor problems or complaints, advises, counsels, and instructs employees on work and administrative matters.
• Ensures that staff members submit required progress notes, reports, and summaries in a timely fashion.
• Conducts audits of progress notes and final reports for completeness and accuracy.
• Oversees the internship training of university trainees assigned to their team. and is responsible for orienting them to GCBRC.
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 07:30 am to 4:00pm.
• (subject to changed based on the needs of the service) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available, per supervisor discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #:520-01301-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Must be able to independently operate Government Vehicle.
• Must provide clean driving record report from the DMV and copy of drivers license during the pre-employment process.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 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.

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.

Areas of Consideration- Current permanent VA employees of the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks All other VA employees Current Permanent Federal employees of other agencies All other applicants 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:

• Professional Certification
• 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.
• Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.
• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50’s include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50’s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please 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) CV/Resume 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.