Supervisory Social Worker (Homeless Section Chief)
What you'd do
The Phoenix VA Healthcare System is in search of a Homeless Program Section Chief. The Supervisory Social Worker / Homeless Program Section Chief is administratively responsible for the Social Work Homeless Programs including: Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC); the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program; the Housing and Urban Development Veteran Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program; and the Veteran's Justice Program (VJP).
Major duties
30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager. Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions. After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing. VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Duties include, but are not limited to: Directs all clinical and administrative activities of the Homeless Programs, including strategic planning, human resource management, and program management and evaluation, assuring that the clinical and administrative functions are integrated in order to provide optimum utilization of resources. The incumbent administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to the patients. They develop, implement, and evaluate clinical guidelines, protocols, and SOP's to establish appropriate utilization of services in accordance with The Joint Commission, CARF, and VA national and local directives. Responsible for interpreting The Joint Commission and CARF accrediting body standards and VHA handbook requirements to develop clinical and administrative SOPs and related process for each program Supervises a group of employees performing work at various GS levels (e.g. master level social workers, vocational development counselor, vocational development specialists, nurses, social services assistants, care coordinator, housing management specialist, program support specialists, occupational therapist, and peer support specialists) and provides administrative, technical and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the Homeless Programs. The incumbent performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to supervised staff and establishes guidelines and performance expectation for staff which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance, demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Affects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests and clinic cancellations. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations. Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs. Responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component. The workload directed by this position at the CBOCs is carried out at locations that are physically removed from the main unit under conditions that make day-to-day supervision difficult to administer. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Available on an Ad-Hoc basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work. Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Supervisory Social Worker, GS-13 Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. Licensure/Certification. Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines. Skill in a range of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services by supervised social workers. Ability to delegate authority, manage priorities, coordinate work, and follow up on pending issues to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems, develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. Ability to provide staff training and development. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standards, GS-185, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center and is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. In carrying out responsibilities, it may be necessary to travel into the community where he/she conducts interviews with the Veterans, their families, representative of community health and welfare agencies and law enforcement agencies. Must possess current driver's license and be able to drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties when deemed necessary.
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