Social Worker (HUD-VASH)

Veterans Health Administration • Anchorage, AK

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The HUD-VASH Social Worker is part of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program and provides intensive case management and mental health services to Veterans experiencing housing instability and other economic challenges. The program uses a Housing First evidence-based clinical practice focused on rapid housing, comprehensive case management, and supportive services to help Veterans sustain housing. It serves a large catchment area and provides community-based services to Veterans facing housing and employment instability related to complex socioeconomic factors, including psychiatric and medical diagnoses, substance use disorders, and involvement with the justice system.

At the GS-11 level, the Social Worker provides direct care in community and home settings, intensive case management, and mental health services. The position uses evidence-based practices, including Housing First and Critical Time Intervention, and serves as a Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for an assigned caseload. The role includes outreach, housing-search and retention assistance, assessments, safety planning when clinically indicated, follow-up with Veterans who miss appointments, health-promotion education, and coordination with VA and community resources. The Social Worker is a collaborative member of the multidisciplinary HUD-VASH team and may consult with new social workers, graduate students, and other staff about psychosocial needs and their effects on health care and treatment compliance.

This is an open continuous announcement, open until filled or September 30, 2027. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; compressed or flexible schedules may be available. Ad hoc telework may be available, but this is not a virtual position. The position is permanent, and relocation incentives may be authorized. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-9 through GS-11.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree does not substitute for the required master’s degree.
• For GS-11, a current state license or certification to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.
• For GS-11, at least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, or a doctoral degree in social work that may substitute for that experience.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to use a Veteran-centered approach when providing interventions and counseling to Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors.
• Ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs, develop and implement treatment plans, and identify problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and needed assistance.
• Ability to implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups, using supportive, problem-solving, or crisis-intervention techniques as appropriate.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and community-agency representatives.
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, treatment procedures, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology.
• For GS-11, knowledge of community resources and ability to make referrals and coordinate services.
• For GS-11, skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with people from varied socioeconomic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• For GS-11, skill in independently implementing treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• For GS-11, ability to provide consultation to social workers, graduate students, and other staff about psychosocial needs and their impact on health care and treatment compliance.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be cleared to operate a government vehicle.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation, complete onboarding, and meet identification-document requirements.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Must maintain a full, valid, unrestricted independent license or certification; failure to obtain or maintain required licensure or certification may result in removal from the social worker series and may result in termination.
• Meet any applicable requirements for recognition of education, including foreign-education equivalency documentation when applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with homeless populations.
• VA experience.
• Case management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care in community and home settings.
• Provide intensive case management and mental health services to Veterans.
• Use evidence-based treatments consistent with Housing First and Critical Time Intervention models, including approaches effective with people experiencing homelessness.
• Engage Veterans in individualized treatment planning, establish goals, and monitor progress.
• Serve as Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for an assigned caseload and provide expert case management.
• Identify and coordinate VA and community resources, make appropriate referrals, and link Veterans to supportive environments.
• Apply knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures.
• Collaborate as a member of the multidisciplinary HUD-VASH team.
• Provide outreach and assist Veterans with housing searches and housing retention.
• Complete comprehensive assessments and collaborative safety plans when clinically indicated.
• Follow up with Veterans who miss appointments and consult as needed to support their safety and welfare.
• Provide health-promotion education.
• Use the VA Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System (HOMES) database.
• Provide consultation to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff regarding patients’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) may be available for eligible selectees, with awards up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years; approval and award are determined after application review.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income, child-eligibility, cost, and monthly-maximum conditions.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Relocation incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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