Social Worker (Homeless Population)

Veterans Health Administration • North Chicago, IL

4d

About The Position

This position serves as a Social Worker for the Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) within the Homeless Department of Mental Health. The role supports homeless veterans by coordinating and overseeing case management, helping connect veterans with VA and community services, and ensuring that HUD-VASH housing is safe and compliant with local housing codes.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet VHA eligibility requirements and submit an application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000), and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of a complete application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for the incentive.

The position is at the GS-11 level. Candidates must meet the basic requirements for VA social workers and the GS-11 qualification requirements, including a master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school and state licensure or certification for independent master's-level practice. The experience requirement may be met with a doctoral degree in social work as described in the announcement.

The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position is in the Excepted Service and is subject to a one- or two-year trial period. Employees must satisfy pre-employment and ongoing conditions described in the announcement, including a background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Master's degree in Social Work from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a doctoral degree cannot substitute for the master's degree.
• State license or certification to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. For GS-11, this licensure or certification is required.
• At least one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to GS-9 in health care or another social-work-related setting, plus independent-practice-level state licensure or certification; alternatively, a doctoral degree in social work may substitute for the required year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
• Knowledge of community resources, appropriate referrals to community and governmental agencies, and service coordination.
• Ability to independently conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions with individuals from varied socioeconomic, educational, and other backgrounds.
• Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures, including illnesses and injuries, common medications and their effects or side effects, and medical terminology, to formulate treatment plans.
• Ability to independently implement treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups experiencing psychiatric, medical, and social problems.
• Ability to provide consultation to social workers, graduate students, and other staff about psychosocial needs and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.
• Subject to background/security investigation and completion of online onboarding and required application documentation.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Applicants using foreign education must provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with their transcript.

Responsibilities

• Review agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and the VA to establish appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements.
• Conduct site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure veterans reside in safe environments that comply with local housing codes.
• Verify veterans’ status, eligibility for VA medical care, and eligibility to participate in the program.
• Provide oversight of HUD-VASH case management, including services and activities intended to provide appropriate treatment and maintain veterans in HUD-approved stable housing.
• Coordinate care and advocate on behalf of veterans to support comprehensive service delivery.
• Link and refer veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices, and community agencies.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions and develop treatment plans, as applicable to the qualification requirements described in the announcement.
• Maintain a current network of internal and external resources and make appropriate referrals.
• Provide consultation to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about patients’ psychosocial needs and the effects of psychosocial problems on health care and treatment compliance.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 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 the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child care subsidy may be available after 60 days of employment to eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, covering up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Education Debt Reduction Program student loan reimbursement may be available to eligible applicants, with awards up to $200,000, subject to approval and program terms.

What This Job Offers

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