Senior Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Santa Fe, NM

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is seeking a Senior Social Worker to join the Housing and Urban Development–VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) team. The Rural HUD-VASH Social Worker is part of an interdisciplinary team providing psychosocial services to Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The position conducts outreach and assessments through in-person, telephone, and video contacts and manages assigned Veterans’ cases from initial assessment through long-term housing stability.

The role includes intensive case management, individual and group social work services, coordination with VA and community resources, and advocacy with landlords, public housing agencies, community providers, and VA stakeholders. The social worker also participates in program activities, training, planning, data collection, and reporting, and practices in accordance with VHA directives, the NASW Code of Ethics, and NMVAHCS guidelines.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-12.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the MSW.
• State licensure or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.
• At least two years of experience after advanced practice clinical licensure in a specialized area of social work practice, including one year equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
• Advanced-practice-level state licensure or certification, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless covered by the applicable state grandfathering provision; California licensees must meet the stated California examination requirement.
• Ability to provide supervision for licensure.
• Skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causes into differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing methods to measure the effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area.
• Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment and to model effective social work practice.
• Ability to expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Compliance with Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation and pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification of continued employment to remain employed after that period.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and awarded by an accredited institution; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting home visits to provide case management for individuals with complex needs.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Certification or post-master’s training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university, including a defined curriculum or course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach, community engagement, and Veteran identification for HCHV and HUD-VASH services.
• Verify Veteran eligibility for VA medical care and program participation.
• Assist with voucher paperwork and support Veterans through voucher and lease-up processes.
• Use Housing First and evidence-based models to promote engagement and self-sufficiency.
• Advocate for Veterans with landlords, public housing agencies, community providers, and VA stakeholders.
• Conduct in-person and telephone assessments, develop treatment plans, and make in-home visits.
• Respond to Homeless Hotline calls and connect Veterans with appropriate services.
• Help Veterans set and achieve goals related to housing, employment, healthcare, benefits, and life planning.
• Coordinate comprehensive care, advocate for Veterans, and connect them with VHA and community resources.
• Manage a caseload from initial assessment through long-term housing stability and provide intensive ongoing case management.
• Deliver social work services in individual and group settings in accordance with VHA directives.
• Participate in program calls and training and follow VHA policies, including data collection and reporting requirements.
• Participate in program planning and recommend policy adjustments based on caseload trends.
• Pursue professional development through seminars, training, and staff initiatives.
• Collaborate with NMVAHCS staff and community agencies to improve service delivery.
• Practice in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics and NMVAHCS guidelines.
• Provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment and role-model effective social work practice.
• Develop and implement methods to measure the effectiveness of social work practice and services, use outcome evaluations to improve treatment, and design system changes.
• Contribute to policies, procedures, and practice guidelines related to the service delivery area.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, with eligibility depending on position type.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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