Rehabilitation Counselor, Full Time

Summary This role is in the Veteran Readiness and Employment Division (VR&E). The incumbent will serve as Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) for the VR&E Division in the Regional Office. This role is not remote and requires regular in-person attendance at the Waco office. The Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (SVRC) duties include oversite of VRCs performing initial evaluations, transferable work skills analysis, employability assessments, entitlement determination, rehabilitation planning, problem-solving counseling, adjustment counseling, case documentation, and administration and interpretation of vocational testing when appropriate. Analyzes and interprets laws, regulations, and rules as they affect the establishment of new policies, procedures, and methods of operation. Gathers and interprets a wide range of data addressing service concerns. Further, they can recommend appropriate action based on the data. Interviews claimants in-person or over the telephone and to elicit information essential to resolve a concern or obtain necessary evidence so that a pending claim may be properly adjudicated. The SVRC is responsible for administrative actions affecting VR&E activity and provides advice, counsel, and instruction to individual employees on both technical and administrative matters. evaluates subordinates' performance, interviews, and makes recommendations for position appointments, promotions, or reassignments; hears and resolves employee and Veteran complaints, effects disciplinary measures, and identifies training needs). Incumbent is responsible for training and monitoring performance of employees within the unit; prepares performance ratings, resolves disciplinary and performance problems, and assesses the on-going training needs of the employees supervised. The SVRC plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets, and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work; interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends awards or bonuses for staff employees. Incumbent will work with a team of Counseling Psychologists, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Employment Coordinators, and Program Support Specialists. The SVRC recommends the use of overtime, training, and travel for attendance at meetings. Specifically, incumbent initiates nondiscriminatory practices and affirmative action for the area under his/her supervision in the following: (The SVRC reviews case files for Quality Assurance, and contributes to the development of reports, including Strategic Oversight and Analysis Reviews (SOAR's), Quarterly Reports, Congressional and IRIS inquiries, White Papers, and other special projects. Ensures that performance goals related to timeliness, accuracy, cost, customer service, and employee development are met and takes action to help the organization achieve said goals. This includes assessment of office issues, client and organizational needs, directives, and ensuring that the quality, timeliness and cost-effectiveness of resources align with VBA expectations. The SVRC acts as a program consultant to federal and state rehabilitation agencies to coordinate services. The incumbent facilitates operations with major public and private universities, community colleges, and vocational/technical institutes in the state to resolve training issues. The incumbent may serve as technical representative in developing, awarding, implementing, and evaluating contracts to provide professional counseling, evaluation, case management, and employment services. Additional duties include coordinating intra and inter-state transfer of cases, and consulting with VR&E Officers throughout the field. Promotion Potential: None - Position is at Full Promotion Level Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8am - 430pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Yes - This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor; PD39814A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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; 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. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selectees are required to service a one-year supervisory probationary period if not previously completed in a Federal position. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. If you are a current VBA employee requesting a reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS-13 (or higher) and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-13. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: The Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor series requires that all applicants meet both the basic requirement per the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) AND the specialized experience described below: OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade of GS-12 LEVEL: Specialized experience is defined as one (1) full year of performance of technical assignments affecting the entire field of VA's Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) division. Your resume/application must support your response. Experience in conducting assessments of veteran's employability. Involvement in the development of appropriate vocational goals and subsequent objectives outlined in rehabilitation plans. Providing case management services to veterans while pursuing their rehabilitation plans (e.g. personal contact regarding achievement of vocational goals, referral for medical or ancillary services, and responding efficiently to veterans' concerns); Experience in training, understanding, and clearly explaining to veterans, the benefits and services available through the VR&E program. Candidates must also demonstrate experience or training they possess, or have the potential to develop the qualities of successful supervision as follows: Assign and review work of subordinates, train and work effectively with subordinates from a variety of backgrounds and with different levels/areas of training. Accomplish the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time. Communicate with others effectively both orally and in writing in working solutions to problems or questions relating to the work. Understand and further management goals as these affect day-to-day work operations; 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. All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. 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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. 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. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.