VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST (2024)

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Benefits Administration

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

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Summary

This VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST position is within the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program. Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) carries out all duties related to assisting Veterans and Service members with completing their program of rehabilitation services.

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Overview

  • Accepting applications
  • Open & closing dates

    04/29/2024 to 05/07/2024

  • Salary

    $59,966 - $110,803 per year

    Please visit the OPM Salary website to view salaries for each location listed: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

  • Pay scale & grade

    GS 9 - 11

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    Locations

    • Hartford, CT
    • Washington, DC
    • Chicago, IL
    • Indianapolis, IN
    • Show more locations (14)
  • Remote job

    No

  • Telework eligible

    Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

  • Travel Required

    Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

  • Relocation expenses reimbursed

    No

  • Appointment type

    Permanent -

  • Work schedule

    Full-time -

  • Service

    Competitive

  • Promotion potential

    11

  • Job family (Series)

    1715 Vocational Rehabilitation

  • Supervisory status

    No

  • Security clearance

    Not Required

  • Drug test

    No

  • Position sensitivity and risk

    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  • Trust determination process

    Suitability/Fitness

  • Announcement number

    CASH-12390946-24-JMF

  • Control number

    788867900

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This job is open to

  • Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Internal to an agency Current federal employees of this agency.
  • Military spouses
  • Veterans
  • Federal employees - Competitive service Current or former competitive service federal employees.
  • Special authorities Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to current permanent employees (career or career-conditional) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (competitive), Current permanent Federal employees eligible for transfer, former federal employees eligible for Reinstatement, Veterans eligible for consideration under VEOA, VRA, Certain Military Spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA, disabled individuals eligible under Schedule A, Land Base Management, and those eligible under current Interchange Agreements

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Duties

Major Duties of this position are, but not limited to:

  • Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) is responsible for the provision, supervision and coordination of the rehabilitation services for Veterans or Servicemembers participating in the various programs described in Chapters 36 and 31, and for selected participants under Chapters 18 and 35, of Title 38 U.S.C.
  • Authorizes all necessary services and benefits, and receives, reviews and authorizes all charges for services before submitting invoices to Finance Division for payment.
  • Provides case management services including coordination of all rehabilitation services, employment services, documentation of progress and adjustment, and maintenance of case records according to VA regulations.
  • Act as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) to acquire evaluation, case management, employment, and other services needed in the rehabilitation process.
  • Provide training and supervision to contract service providers to assure that the services rendered are appropriate and in accordance with accepted professional standards.
  • Case management services will include assistance applying for VA benefits and resolving individual VA benefits issues; referrals for medical and mental health services; transition support; and development of community and on-campus resources to provide comprehensive services to Veteran Students.
  • Provides coordination of all rehabilitation services, such as financial decisions, adjusts rehabilitation plans, and coordinates employment services.
  • Makes minor adjustments to rehabilitation plans, if necessary for the Veteran to meet the goals of the original plan.
  • Research resources and funding available in the community for consumers.
  • Provides comprehensive employment and post-employment services which include assessing employability and assisting in the development of an employment assistance plan.
  • Responsible for the provision, supervision and coordination of the rehabilitation services for Veterans or Service members participating in the various programs.
  • Perform all other duties assigned.

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: Full time, Monday through Friday: Hours to be determined by hiring office
Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the hiring office
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: ; 38707A, 38706A
Bargaining Unit: This position is in the bargaining unit
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 05/07/2024.

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.

For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level.
For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 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. These requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and those applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

If you are a current VBA employee seeking reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS-09 (or higher) and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-11.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist series requires that all applicants meet both the Basic Requirement per the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)

AND

the Specialized Experiencedescribed below:

Individual Occupational Requirements

Education
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position.

**NOTE: ALL TRANSCRIPTS MUST HAVE A CONFERRED DATE**

OR

Experience

Specialized Experience: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

  • 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-09 Grade Level:

  • Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience in rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness or human development theory and principles; experience in career development process and career development theory, OR
  • Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree: Major study - vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate level education

GS-11 Grade Level:

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience in rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness or human development theory and principles; knowledge of rehabilitation counseling skills, techniques and resources needed to work with Veterans with multiple disabilities, homebound veterans, veterans with acute or chronic mental disabilities and those with problems adjusting to social and occupational requirements. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree: Major study - vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position, or 3 full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 full years of graduate level education.

Combining Education & Experience

: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.

Note: 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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Physical Requirements: The work normally involves mental rather than physical exertion.

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

http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

.

Education

Transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.

Additional information

Read more

  • Help

    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.

You will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position:

  • Therapy and Counseling:Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental ailments, and career guidance.
  • Planning and Evaluating:Determines objectives and strategies; coordinates with other parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors and evaluates the progress and outcomes of operational plans; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.
  • Partnering:Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
  • Customer Service:Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
  • Organizational Awareness: Knows the organizations mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview.

  • Help

    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

  • As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

    To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in lack of consideration for this job announcement. You will not be contacted for additional information.

    • Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
      • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you must also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
      • Your experience must be clearly stated in your resume. We cannot make assumptions on your experience based on your current, or former, position titles on your resume. Failure to clearly demonstrate your qualifying experience in your resume may result in disqualification for this position and your rating will be adjusted as necessary.
    • A copy of your transcripts if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

    In addition to the document above, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility for the following

    1. Current/Former Federal Employees: A copy of your most recent SF-50 (not award or general adjustment).
      • The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
      • To verify you meet Time-in-Grade requirements, also submit a SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade held (e.g., Promotion, Appointment, etc.)
    2. ICTAP/CTAP: for displaced Federal/VA employees
      • SF-50 showing Career or Career-Conditional status; AND
      • Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice or a certification of expected separation (not a resignation letter);AND
      • Most recent performance appraisal.
    3. Veterans/Disabled Veterans:
      • DD-214 (MEMBER-4 Copy), or document from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or branch of service that shows dates of military service and character of discharge, AND
      • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Armed Service, AND
      • SF-15 - Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
    4. 100% Disabled Veteran Spouses:
      • Copy of your marriage license, AND
      • Veteran Spouses' DD-214, documenting retirement, release, or discharge due to disability, AND
      • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, specifying 100% disability at the time of discharge, release, or retirement from active-duty service.
    5. Active-Duty Military Spouses:
      • Copy of your marriage license, AND
      • Documentation identifying marital status at the time of death and proof that you have not remarried, AND
      • Deceased Veteran Spouses' DD-214 documenting the death of the service member while on active duty, the death certificate; or a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc. specifying the service member's death while on active duty.
    6. People with Disabilities, Schedule A:
      • A letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
    7. Re-Instatement:
      • You must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
        • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field box 24. is 1 or 2); AND
        • Your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field box 34. is 1). AND
        • Highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.)
    8. Peace Corps: employees who have completed at least 36 months of continuous service and have been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years:
      • You must submit a copy of your description of service, or letter of service.
    9. Other Interchange Agreements: for employees of the Postal Career Service, Postal Rate Commission, Government Accountability Office (GAO), or Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
      • A copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.

    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 make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • Agency contact information

    Jasmine Ferebee

    Phone

    313-596-7205

    Email

    Jasmine.Ferebee@va.gov

    Address
    VBA Human Resources Center - Central Office
    810 Vermont Ave NW
    Washington, DC 20420
    US

    Learn more about this agency

    Next steps

  • The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

    • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
    • Reasonable accommodation policy
    • Financial suitability
    • Selective Service
    • New employee probationary period
    • Signature and false statements
    • Privacy Act
    • Social security number request

Help

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in lack of consideration for this job announcement. You will not be contacted for additional information.

  • Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
    • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you must also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
    • Your experience must be clearly stated in your resume. We cannot make assumptions on your experience based on your current, or former, position titles on your resume. Failure to clearly demonstrate your qualifying experience in your resume may result in disqualification for this position and your rating will be adjusted as necessary.
  • A copy of your transcripts if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

In addition to the document above, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility for the following

  1. Current/Former Federal Employees: A copy of your most recent SF-50 (not award or general adjustment).
    • The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
    • To verify you meet Time-in-Grade requirements, also submit a SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade held (e.g., Promotion, Appointment, etc.)
  2. ICTAP/CTAP: for displaced Federal/VA employees
    • SF-50 showing Career or Career-Conditional status; AND
    • Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice or a certification of expected separation (not a resignation letter);AND
    • Most recent performance appraisal.
  3. Veterans/Disabled Veterans:
    • DD-214 (MEMBER-4 Copy), or document from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or branch of service that shows dates of military service and character of discharge, AND
    • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Armed Service, AND
    • SF-15 - Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
  4. 100% Disabled Veteran Spouses:
    • Copy of your marriage license, AND
    • Veteran Spouses' DD-214, documenting retirement, release, or discharge due to disability, AND
    • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, specifying 100% disability at the time of discharge, release, or retirement from active-duty service.
  5. Active-Duty Military Spouses:
    • Copy of your marriage license, AND
    • Documentation identifying marital status at the time of death and proof that you have not remarried, AND
    • Deceased Veteran Spouses' DD-214 documenting the death of the service member while on active duty, the death certificate; or a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc. specifying the service member's death while on active duty.
  6. People with Disabilities, Schedule A:
    • A letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
  7. Re-Instatement:
    • You must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
      • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field box 24. is 1 or 2); AND
      • Your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field box 34. is 1). AND
      • Highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.)
  8. Peace Corps: employees who have completed at least 36 months of continuous service and have been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years:
    • You must submit a copy of your description of service, or letter of service.
  9. Other Interchange Agreements: for employees of the Postal Career Service, Postal Rate Commission, Government Accountability Office (GAO), or Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
    • A copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.

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 make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

How to Apply

Read more

Agency contact information

Jasmine Ferebee

Phone

313-596-7205

Email

Jasmine.Ferebee@va.gov

Address
VBA Human Resources Center - Central Office
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Read more

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/788867900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST (2024)

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