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Summary The HUD-VASH Social Services Assistant (SSA) is an active member of the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program and provides support services to Veterans in the Homeless Program. The primary goal is to move Veterans and their families out of chronic homelessness. Responsibilities Major duties include: Use word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files. Activating printers; inserting and deleting text; and formatting letters, reports and memoranda. Utilize the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) by storing a Veteran's healthcare in formation. Document all encounters by entering progress notes and bill accordingly by entering corresponding procedure codes. Complete a HUD-VASH Case Management Review Note stating the progress. Complete a Suicide Behavior Report note when a Veteran has reported an attempted suicide. Complete a Safety Plan with Veterans at risk for suicide to develop coping strategies and supports to be used when suicidal thoughts are present. Utilize Veterans Health information & Technology Architecture (VISTA) or electronic healthcare record which supports clinical, administrative and financial operations. File a Disruptive Behavior Report when a patient or employee engages in behavior that is disruptive. Utilize Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES), an online data collection system that tracks homeless Veterans as they move through the VA's homeless programs. Provide assistance as a liaison for Veterans' needs on multiple caseloads and communicate these concerns to the HUD-VASH Case Managers and/or HUD-VASH Program Coordinator. Meet with Veterans typically by oneself in the office, community and during home visits. Utilize interviewing skills such as Motivational Interviewing. Respond to cell & desk phone calls in a courteous and timely manner, determine the nature of requests, and provide the information desired using privacy rules and established clinic processes to both the Veteran, Veteran's family, VA staff and the public. Screen for Veterans' risk for suicide and homicide at each visit. Notify clinical staff in a timely manner of any positive screens to ensure clinical care is provided. Conduct case management reviews with Veterans. Participate with multidisciplinary treatment team. Review Veteran referrals who have not succeeded in maintaining housing to address contributing factors which may impact their housing such as: budgeting, mental health, substance use and legal issues. Utilize the Vulnerability Index- Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) to survey both the individual Veteran and his or her family to determine risk and prioritization when providing assistance to homeless and at risk of homelessness persons. Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience. Drive Veterans to find suitable and affordable housing; to attend their medical appointments, social activities, and community resources; and to apply for employment. Assist Veterans in obtaining decent and affordable housing of his/her choice in the most integrated, independent, and least intrusive or restrictive environment by taking them out to view housing, either driving them or riding with them on public transportation. Identify community-based self-help and mutual support resources and foster Veteran access via sharing these resources with Veterans, other mental health providers. Complete referral packets for the Public Housing Authority (PHA) including helping Veterans obtain needed documentation for referrals. Assist Veterans in the completion of Social Security applications and/or VA service-connected compensation and/or non-service connected pension applications. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description/PD#: Social Services Assistant/PD145780 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Must pass pre-employment driving physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/03/2024. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. Driver's Licensure and English Requirements: Are applied in the same manner as minimum qualification requirements. Relevant selective placement factor experience must be well documented in your resume. Failure to meet a selective placement factor will result in you not receiving further consideration. In addition to the minimum qualifications described below, you must meet the following requirements: Must possess the ability to communicate fluently in spoken and written English Must have a valid state-issued driver's license You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include: Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs. Counselor in a youth summer camp. Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills. Work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew. Group activities leader in the Armed Services. Unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility. Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development. Aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities. Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Human Factors Planning and Evaluating 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily out in the community. Typically, the employee will drive to Veterans' homes for visits and may take them to community agencies or VA to get necessary services and resources. There will be walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as books, papers, etc.; accessing transportation; and driving a government vehicle. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level and you can not qualify based on education alone. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.