USA Staffing

Position Title: Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder)
Agency: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number: CBET-11013850-21-JDB Opens in new window
Open Period: Friday, January 22, 2021 to Thursday, February 11, 2021

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans' Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

2. Are you a current permanent Federal employee from an agency other than Department of Veterans Affairs?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form.

A. Yes

B. No

1. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.

A. Yes, I am considered a political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316.

B. Yes, I am considered a Non-career Senior Executive Service (SES), Limited Term SES, Limited Emergency SES Executive Branch employee.

C. Yes, I am considered a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or appointee who served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch.

D. Yes, I am considered a political appointee in the Executive Branch (as described in a., b. or c above) in a covered position in an agency having an interchange agreement with OPM, which allows movement from the agency's system to the competitive civil service.

E. None of the above. I am not considered a current or recent (last 5 years) political appointee as described above in items a, b, c, or d.

2. Crisis Hotline Responders are expected to work irregular hours including days, evening, nights, weekends and holidays. This type of working schedule may negatively affect or burden family responsibilities. Are you willing to accept these working conditions?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Crisis Hotline Responders regularly encounter people experiencing extreme poverty, personal hardship, and those who are hostile or distressed. Would you be able to work in these conditions?

A. Yes

B. No

Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Veterans' Preference Documentation Reminder: In order to receive appropriate consideration, you should submit proper documentation if you are claiming eligibility for Veterans' Preference, which includes a copy of your DD-214 (member copy 4 or earlier version that shows character of service). Applicant's claiming 10-Point preference should also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference along with the required documentation listed on the form (such as verification of service-connected disability percentage).

TRANSCRIPT REMINDER - If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

4. This is not a virtual position. Selectees must be within a commutable distance, or willing to relocate within a commutable distance to the duty location - 400 Fort Hill Avenue, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Do you currently live within a commutable distance to the duty location. or are you willing to relocate within a commutable distance to the duty location?

A. Yes

B. No

The following are requirements for appointment as a Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder) within the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) component in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The VCL connects Veterans and Service members in crisis, along with their families and others, with qualified Social Science Specialists (also known as Crisis Responders) through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Crisis Responders are trained to assist Veterans and Service members through various kinds of behavioral health crisis situations by providing support and referrals to VA and local services. Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. Please answer "YES" or "NO" to the following questions.

1. Citizenship: Are you a citizen of the United States?

A. Yes

B. No

2. English Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

Are you proficient in spoken and written English?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Basic Requirements: Select the ONE statement below that best describes your education and experience to meet the basic requirements for this position.

A. Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The degree must be in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, family counseling, mental health counseling, nursing, ministry and criminal justice).

B. Two years of specialized experience as a first responder (e.g., Police, Medic, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Dispatch, etc.) or in a social science related field that included behavioral health crisis response, and two years of higher education (i.e., above the high school level) from an accredited college or university in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, family counseling, mental health counseling, nursing, ministry and criminal justice).

C. Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field and, one year of specialized experience that included behavioral health crisis response or mental health counseling.

D. I do not possess the specialized experience and/or education requirements necessary to meet the basic requirements for the position.

4. GS-11 Experience or Education Requirement: Select the ONE statement below that best describes your education and experience to meet the basic requirements for this position.

A. I have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled.

B. I have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university in a behavioral health related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, or family counseling). c. I do not possess the specialized experience and/or education requirements necessary for the GS-11 level.

C. I do not possess the specialized experience and/or education requirements for the GS-11 level.

5. You must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) for appointment at this grade level and assignment. Please choose a response below in regards to the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to provide an evidenced based crisis intervention through a variety of modalities (e.g., telephone interviews, chat/text services, or social media forums).
(b) Ability to carry out crisis management steps while withholding judgment on controversial behaviors and not imposing one's values during the contact.
(c) Ability to effectively prioritize complex problems quickly and respond appropriately in a crisis situation.

A. I possess the KSAs listed above.

B. I do not possess the KSAs listed above.

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