Rehabilitation Technician

Summary

This position is assigned to the Assistant Chief of Staff of Mental Health Service providing clinical services to Veterans in the VA SORCC Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs. The incumbent provides short term, rehabilitation services to Veterans, family members, and groups of Veterans in the VA SORCC DRRTP. The incumbent is also responsible for meeting program requirements for accreditation and national standards in conjunction with the inter-disciplinary team members.

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Duties

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This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-07, however a selection can be made at any of the following grade levels: GS-05, GS-06 OR GS-07. At the GS-05 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. At the GS-06 grade level, you will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance.

The incumbent in this position assists the other members of the provider staff team with the responsibility of administering and providing services to the VA SORCC DRRTP residential rehabilitation treatment programs. The incumbent will be responsible for assisting with specialized treatment services for Veterans with serious mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse, dual diagnoses, and other psychological problems. In any area of the program, the incumbent will provide support and rehabilitation services directed towards the goal of returning the veteran to his/her community, without dependence on drugs or alcohol, functioning effectively and compliant with medications and treatment. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

He/she is responsible for the care and comfort of all Domiciliary Veterans and acts as Domiciliary first-line clinician. Accepts responsibility for a specific group of residents during the work shift, and reports individual progress or problems to the interdisciplinary team. Acts on recommendations by the team and accepts responsibility for working with the individual Veterans to bring about a reconciliation of issues. In conjunction with the treatment team, the incumbent exercises judgment to identify veteran treatment goals, support treatment plan, and obtain other pertinent clinical information. The incumbent directs and supports the veteran in the implementation of treatment goals and provides input into the treatment and discharge plans. Provides consultation to and leadership of the therapeutic community groups and resident committees, where appropriate. (45%)

The incumbent facilities daily individual and group sessions, utilizing sophisticated skills to achieve the veteran s goals of highest level of function and rehabilitation through personal growth; accepting responsibility for the behavior and recovery; gaining insight into their medical, psychosocial, and mental health problems; and clarifying alternatives for positive independence in the rehabilitation of the Veteran. (20%)

A variety of techniques will be used including, but not limited to: Utilizing and teaching communication, relapse prevention, and problem solving techniques with individuals and groups; role play and ongoing small group discussion will be utilized to identify common problems in daily living as well as methods of coping. Facilitating ongoing individual group sessions to teach Veterans evidence based interventions aimed at identifying and combating negative cognitions and/or maladaptive coping strategies. Providing counseling follow-up of veteran case load, utilizing accepted standards for individual counseling techniques concerned with psychosocial recovery and rehabilitation. The incumbent interacts with interdisciplinary treatment teams on treatment plan development, implementation and progress review. He/she provides pertinent information during treatment team planning meetings and assists Veterans in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals. (10%)

Maintains ongoing contact with Veterans in the programs, monitoring their progress through all phases of the program with individual contact and through written notes in the resident's medical record (frequency dated in the program's policy and procedures manual). Documents all work in appropriate systems including Computerized Veteran Record System and Decision Support System Event Capture. Carries out administrative and clinical services required by program and accreditation agencies such as safety checks, chart reviews, and other procedures and monitors as identified by supervisor and program managers. (10%)

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: First week- Sun-Tues:6a-6:30pm PST , Wed:6a-2:30pm PST, Second Week- Sun-Tues: 6a-6:30pm PST

Compressed/Flexible: Authorized

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Rehabilitation Technician/ PD90333A, PD90334A, and PD90335A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements and specialized experience within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 09/25/2026.

GS-5 Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 position if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment.

• Applicants must have held a GS-03 or higher to be eligible for the GS-05 level.

GS-6 and GS-7 Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

• Applicants must have held GS-05 or higher for at least (1) year to be eligible for the GS-06 grade level.
• Applicants must have held GS-06 or higher for at least (1) year to be eligible for the GS-07 grade level.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the GS 0181 occupational series. To qualify for this occupational series, applicants must have one of the following listed below:

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): You must have experience that involved the observation of and assistance in the application of techniques relating to behavior, capacities, traits, interests, and activities of either humans or, under laboratory conditions, animals. Experience may have been gained in connection with a program of research or direct services in psychology that gave a practical understanding of some of the principles, methods, and techniques of psychology needed to assist professional psychologists. OR;

For GS-5 : Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects as shown above for GS-3.

In addition to meeting the IOR, you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-05:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Developmental level assisting various members of a provider staff team with administering and providing services to a residential rehabilitation treatment programs; Ability to assist with specialized treatment services for Veterans with serious mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse, dual diagnoses, and other psychological programs. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects such as psychology, statistics, or other directly related subjects. This education was obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. If you are qualifying on education, transcripts are required. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education in excess of 60 semester hours (2 years) is creditable. If you qualify by a combination, your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts are required.

GS-06:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Intermediate level-Skill at assisting various members of a provider staff team with administering and providing services to a residential rehabilitation treatment programs; Ability to assist with specialized treatment services for Veterans with serious mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse, dual diagnoses, and other psychological programs; Knowledge of support and rehabilitation regulations, policies, procedures, and techniques directed towards the goal of returning the veteran to their community, without dependence on drugs or alcohol, functioning effectively and compliant with medications and treatment..

GS-07:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Skill at assisting various members of a provider staff team with administering and providing services to a residential rehabilitation treatment programs; Ability to assist with specialized treatment services for Veterans with serious mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse, dual diagnoses, and other psychological programs; Knowledge of support and rehabilitation regulations, policies, procedures, and techniques directed towards the goal of returning the veteran to their community, without dependence on drugs or alcohol, functioning effectively and compliant with medications and treatment; Skill at maintaining contact and monitor Veteran progress through all phases of the rehabilitation process; Ability to respond appropriately to unexpected situations and developing innovative monitoring programs. OR;
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position such as psychology, statistics, or other related subjects. This education must be obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. If you are qualifying on education, transcripts are required.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: 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 meet the requirements of this position.

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.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: 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:

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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