HUD-VASH Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

9d

About The Position

The HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program is a collaboration between the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs. It combines HUD Section 8 rental assistance vouchers with VA intensive case management to help Veterans and their families move out of chronic homelessness. The Social Worker implements HUD-VASH referrals, screening, and admissions; coordinates housing voucher processes with Public Housing Agencies (PHAs); conducts outreach and assessments; connects Veterans with VA and community services; and provides psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. The role may address complex cases involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other high-risk diagnoses.

The position works Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; the position is not virtual. The full-performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-09 or GS-11. The role is in the Excepted Service and requires a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and, except for the stated GS-9 licensure exception, state licensure or certification for independent master's-level practice. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and proficient in spoken and written English.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Master's degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; a doctoral degree cannot substitute for this master's degree requirement.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level, subject to the stated GS-9 exception and requirements for obtaining licensure after appointment.
• For GS-11: at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, and state licensure or certification at the independent-practice level. A doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the required year of professional clinical social work experience.
• For GS-9: demonstrate a Veteran-centric approach; ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs and formulate and implement treatment plans; ability to implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; ability to establish effective relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community agency representatives; and fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatments, medications, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11: knowledge of community resources and referral coordination; skill conducting independent psychosocial assessments and interventions with people from varied backgrounds; knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures to formulate treatment plans; skill independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups; and ability to consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements, onboarding requirements, identification requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination requirements, and application-document requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.
• Meet applicable physical requirements under VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of post-MSW experience.
• Experience treating mental disorders.
• Experience addressing housing insecurity.
• Case management experience.
• Skill establishing and building rapport with community partners.

Responsibilities

• Implement referral, screening, and admission procedures for potential HUD-VASH Veteran participants in accordance with national policy and local program needs.
• Ensure eligibility and prioritization criteria account for homeless Veteran populations, PHA requirements, and applicable policies, regulations, and laws.
• Collect data, maintain administrative records, and monitor clinical indicators, thresholds, and performance measurements.
• Develop working relationships and agreements with other organizations and coordinate with designated PHAs on housing voucher applications and awards.
• Review agreements among Section 8 landlords, PHAs, and VA to establish appropriate referral sites for placements.
• Conduct and participate in outreach, field interviews, assessments, and referrals for homeless Veterans in communities, shelters, and on the streets, as well as Veterans referred by VA programs and facilities.
• Maintain and develop relationships with community-based homeless service providers and represent VA at provider meetings when appropriate.
• Refer Veterans to VA inpatient and outpatient medical and mental health treatment, other VA services and benefits, community social services, and non-VA entitlement programs.
• Review subjective and objective information, conduct clinical assessments, identify needs and strengths, and develop psychosocial diagnoses.
• Assess risk factors and develop preliminary plans with Veterans and, where appropriate, their families or significant others.
• Assess serious and complicated cases, including those involving psychiatric illness, catastrophic medical conditions, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other high-risk diagnoses.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual credit may be available for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level