Senior Social Worker

Veterans Health Administration • Cincinnati, OH

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is seeking an independently licensed Senior Social Worker to serve as a case manager for the Community Outreach Division’s HUD-VASH Program. HUD-VASH is a collaborative program supported by HUD Housing Choice Vouchers and VA intensive case management services. Its primary goal is to help Veterans and their families leave chronic homelessness and remain stably housed and integrated into the community by supporting their health and mental health needs.

The Senior Social Worker provides outreach, assessment, housing assistance, clinical case management, and care coordination for Veterans. The role coordinates care with VA medical centers, community health and mental health providers, public housing agencies, and organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. The incumbent maintains program data and forms, including HOMES forms, and serves as a primary contact for PHAs in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The role also coordinates with HUD-VASH programs in other states to facilitate voucher portability.

The position is based at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center and is not virtual. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with ad-hoc telework. Community travel is required, including travel to Veterans’ homes, emergency shelters, and other community locations. A valid unrestricted driver’s license and operation of a government-owned or -leased vehicle are required.

Candidates must meet VA social worker education and licensure requirements. The position requires a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification for independent practice at the master’s level. Senior-level grade determination additionally requires post-advanced-practice clinical licensure experience and advanced practice licensure or certification, subject to the stated grandfathering provisions. The full performance level is GS-12.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level, unless qualifying under the stated grandfathering provision.
• For senior grade determination, 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.
• For senior grade determination, state licensure or certification at the advanced practice level, including an advanced generalist or clinical examination, subject to the stated grandfathering provisions.
• Demonstrated skill in specialized interventions and treatment modalities, including individual, group, or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced psychosocial or case management.
• Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation 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, use outcome evaluations, improve treatment, and design system changes.
• 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, or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.
• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license and ability to operate a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and driver’s physical.
• Must complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding process.
• Must comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach to engage homeless Veterans and build collaborations with internal and external stakeholders to match service delivery with identified needs.
• Conduct independent interviews and assessments for program enrollment and treatment planning.
• Use Housing First and other evidence-based practice models to promote Veteran engagement and self-efficacy.
• Assist Veterans with housing placement, from obtaining a HUD-VASH voucher through the lease-up process.
• Advocate for Veterans and their families with landlords, PHAs, community providers, and VA programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships and processes with Continuums of Care, Coordinated Entry Systems, HUD Regional Offices, PHAs, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide community-based clinical case management and care coordination at a frequency suited to each Veteran’s case-management stage, clinical needs, and care preferences.
• Help Veterans set and achieve goals related to quality of life, employment, medical and mental health care, social support, benefits access, and end-of-life planning.
• Coordinate Veteran care with VA medical centers, community health and mental health providers, and agencies serving homeless populations, directly or through referral.
• Serve as a primary contact with PHAs in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana and coordinate with HUD-VASH programs in other states to facilitate voucher portability.
• Complete program-specific forms, including HOMES forms, and maintain program data.
• Provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students, and role-model effective social work practice.
• Develop methods to measure the effectiveness of social work practice and services, use outcome evaluations to improve treatment, and design system changes.
• Expand clinical knowledge and write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.

Benefits

• Eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility, application, and program approval; award amount may be up to $200,000.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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