Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Veterans Benefits Administration • Anchorage, AK

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) works within the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program and provides, supervises, and coordinates rehabilitation services for Veterans and service members participating in program services. The VRS coordinates services and serves as a liaison between service providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This is a full-time permanent position recruited for the VBA Pacific District. The announcement establishes a standing register to fill vacancies as they arise. The position has a GS-09/11 grade progression, with potential promotion to the full-performance level without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. The position is eligible only for situational (ad hoc) telework with supervisory approval; the employee must report to the official duty station on each scheduled workday. It is not a virtual position.

The work is mostly sedentary and normally involves mental rather than physical exertion, though some walking, standing, and carrying light items may be required.

Requirements

• Meet the Individual Occupational Requirement through qualifying education in vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or a related field, or through qualifying specialized experience.
• For GS-09, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 involving rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development theory and principles, and career development process and theory; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or a combination of education and experience may be used.
• For GS-11, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 involving rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development theory and principles, and rehabilitation counseling skills, techniques, and resources for working with people with multiple disabilities, homebound people, people with acute or chronic mental disabilities, and people with social or occupational adjustment problems; alternatively, qualifying doctoral-level education or a combination of education and experience may be used.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully complete any required probationary or trial period, background/security investigation, and online onboarding requirements.
• Submit transcripts if education is used to meet qualification requirements; qualifying education must be from an appropriately accredited institution.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management, including coordinating rehabilitation and employment services, documenting progress and adjustment, and maintaining case records according to VA regulations.
• Train and supervise contract service providers to ensure services are appropriate and meet accepted professional standards.
• Coordinate rehabilitation services, including financial decisions, adjustments to rehabilitation plans, and employment services.
• Make minor adjustments to rehabilitation plans when necessary to help Veterans meet the goals of their original plans.
• Research community resources and funding available to consumers.
• Provide comprehensive employment and post-employment services, including assessing employability and helping develop employment assistance plans.
• Serve as the coordinator of services and liaison between service providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the annual leave accrual rate, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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