- Position Title
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
- Agency
- Veterans Benefits Administration
- Announcement Number
- ST-11793923-23-CB Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, January 12, 2023 to Friday, February 3, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The following questions address if you are eligible to apply to this job opportunity announcement through Merit Promotion procedures. You will only be considered under the options you have selected, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. Please refer to the announcement for additional information. If you still have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, you may reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement closing. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
The following questions address if you are eligible to apply to this job opportunity announcement through Merit Promotion procedures. You will only be considered under the options you have selected, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. Please refer to the announcement for additional information. If you still have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, you may reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement closing. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service AND have you never held the full performance level of this position?
-- OR --
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND have you never held the full performance level of this position?
-- OR --
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service that holds a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level than the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee:
You must submit a copy of your SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your SF-50 must reflect:
career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
-- OR --
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND have you never held the full performance level of this position?
-- OR --
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service that holds a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level than the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee:
You must submit a copy of your SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your SF-50 must reflect:
career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
3.
Are you a current Federal employee who holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?
-OR
Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent)?
-OR
Are you a current Federal employee who holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
-OR
Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent)?
-OR
Are you a current Federal employee who holds or has previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
- Career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
- Your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
- Your last Federal performance appraisal plan must reflect:
- Rating of Fully Successful (or equivalent)
4.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
- have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
- retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
5.
Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.
- complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an oversea area; AND,
- receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating: AND,
- return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.
6.
1. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces? (Includes all spouses of members of the armed forces on active duty. Spouses do not have to relocate with active duty service member) To verify your eligibility, submit: (1) Copy of your marriage license. (2) Proof of service members active duty status.
-OR-
2. Are you the spouse of a service member who:
-OR-
3. Are you the spouse of a deceased service member who:
-OR-
2. Are you the spouse of a service member who:
- is retired, released, or discharged from the Armed Forces due to a service-connected injury; AND
- on the date on which the member retires, is released, or is discharged, has a disability rating of 100 percent under the standard schedule of rating disabilities in use by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
-OR-
3. Are you the spouse of a deceased service member who:
- was married to the service member on the date the service member died, while on active duty in the Armed Forces; AND
- has not remarried.
To verify your eligibility, submit: (1) a copy of your marriage license, documentation identifying marital status at the time of death and proof that you have not remarried. (2) DD-214 documenting the death of the service member while on active duty, the death certificate; or a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc. specifying the service member's death while on active duty.
For more information, review USAJOBS Military Spouses resources
Note: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA FY19), section 573(e) sunsets these statutory changes on August 12, 2023, after which time the provisions at 5 USC 3330(d) in effect prior to the date of enactment (i.e., August 12, 2018) will apply again.
7.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
8.
Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?
-OR-
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
-OR-
Are you a current or former limited non-career appointee with the Foreign Service and have at least 48 months of continuous service, a performance rating of satisfactory or better, and if a former employee, no more than a one year break in service since your qualifying appointment?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
-OR-
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
-OR-
Are you a current or former limited non-career appointee with the Foreign Service and have at least 48 months of continuous service, a performance rating of satisfactory or better, and if a former employee, no more than a one year break in service since your qualifying appointment?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
9.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs? If yes, confirm:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
10.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND,
• performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing?
To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the 5 U.S.C. 9602.
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND,
• performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing?
To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the 5 U.S.C. 9602.
11.
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?
-OR-
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
-OR-
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
-OR-
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
-OR-
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
12.
Are you a current Federal employee in the excepted service in an agency covered by an Interchange Agreement with at least one year of service in that position?
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
-OR-
Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
-OR-
Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
13.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for Schedule A Disability appointments?
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
14.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service. *Note current Federal employees must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
- served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
- are entitled to veterans' preference?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service. *Note current Federal employees must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements.
15.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
- recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
- are a disabled veteran; OR,
- served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
- received an Armed Forces Service Medal?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 1 location(s).
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
3.
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.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
4.
Do you acknowledge that this position is not a remote worker position.
Assessment 1
TIME-IN-GRADE - Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
1.
GS-09: At this grade, applicants must have one year time-in-grade at the GS-07 level or higher. Please select one response below that most accurately describes you:
2.
GS-11: At this grade, applicants must have one year time-in-grade at the GS-09 level or higher. Please select one response below that most accurately describes you:
3.
GS-12: At this grade, applicants must have one year time-in-grade at the GS-11 level or higher. Please select one response below that most accurately describes you:
BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR ALL GRADES REQUIREMENTS: This series has Basic Requirements that must be met. Carefully read below and select the appropriate answer to the following question 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.
4.
Do you possess a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, including an internship; or a master's degree in counseling psychology or a related field, including at least 30 semester hours of course work in such areas as foundations of rehabilitation counseling, human growth and development, counseling theories and techniques, vocational assessment, career development, job placement, case management, and medical/psycho-social aspects of disability. Total graduate study must have included or been supplemented by a supervised internship. [For master's degree programs without a supervised internship/practicum, substitution is allowed for successful professional experience following completion of the master's degree. Experience suitable for substitution must be one full year in direct delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to adults with disabilities in rehabilitation programs, other than those in correctional facilities. [A professional in vocational rehabilitation or a closely related professional field that typically has oversight for vocational rehabilitation programs must have supervised the experience or internship/practicum.] (COPY OF MASTER'S TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED - If you do not submit a copy of your transcript, your application may not be processed.)
For each of the following questions, please select the response that best describes your education and/or experience. You may only select one response for each question. If you feel that your education or experience exceeds all of the descriptions for a particular question, choose the description that is the closest level to the experience or education that you possess.
5.
For GS-09: To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, you must only meet the basic requirement described in question 4 and below. Please select A to certify that you meet the basic education requirement.
To be qualified for this position, applicants must possess one of the following: (1) A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling that included and internship; OR(2) A master's degree in counseling psychology (or related field) that included an internship and was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours of coursework in such areas as foundations of rehabilitation counseling, human growth and development, counseling theories and techniques, vocational assessment, career development, job placement, case management, and medical/psycho-social aspects of disability; OR (3) A master's degree listed in 1 or 2 WITHOUT internship. Where the internship was substituted for professional experience following completion of the master's degree. [Experience suitable for substitution must be one full year indirect delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to adults with disabilities in rehabilitation programs, other than those in correctional facilities. The experience or internship/practicum must have been supervised by a professional in vocational rehabilitation or a closely related professional field that typically has oversight for vocational rehabilitation programs.]
To be qualified for this position, applicants must possess one of the following: (1) A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling that included and internship; OR(2) A master's degree in counseling psychology (or related field) that included an internship and was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours of coursework in such areas as foundations of rehabilitation counseling, human growth and development, counseling theories and techniques, vocational assessment, career development, job placement, case management, and medical/psycho-social aspects of disability; OR (3) A master's degree listed in 1 or 2 WITHOUT internship. Where the internship was substituted for professional experience following completion of the master's degree. [Experience suitable for substitution must be one full year indirect delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to adults with disabilities in rehabilitation programs, other than those in correctional facilities. The experience or internship/practicum must have been supervised by a professional in vocational rehabilitation or a closely related professional field that typically has oversight for vocational rehabilitation programs.]
6.
For GS-11: From the descriptions below, please select the response that best reflects your level of experience and/or education for the GS-0101-11 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position. To be creditable the experience must have been equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service.
*Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess one of the following: (1) One year of post-master's degree professional vocational rehabilitation counseling experience, equivalent to the GS-09 level, OR (2) Successful completion of 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or have a PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in rehabilitation counseling or counseling psychology. NONQUALIFYING EXPERIENCE: Vocational rehabilitation experience obtained prior to completion of the requirements for the master's degree is not qualifying; If one year of work experience is credited for the Basic Requirement, that year cannot also be used for qualifying at the GS-11 level;
*Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess one of the following: (1) One year of post-master's degree professional vocational rehabilitation counseling experience, equivalent to the GS-09 level, OR (2) Successful completion of 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or have a PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in rehabilitation counseling or counseling psychology. NONQUALIFYING EXPERIENCE: Vocational rehabilitation experience obtained prior to completion of the requirements for the master's degree is not qualifying; If one year of work experience is credited for the Basic Requirement, that year cannot also be used for qualifying at the GS-11 level;
7.
GS-12: From the descriptions below, please select the response that best reflects your level of experience and/or education for the GS-0101-12 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position. To be creditable the experience must have been equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service.
* Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess one of the following:(1) One year of post-master's degree professional vocational rehabilitation counseling experience, equivalent to the GS-11 level. NONQUALIFYING EXPERIENCE: Vocational rehabilitation experience obtained prior to completion of the requirements for the master's degree is not qualifying. Your resume/application must support your response.
* Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess one of the following:(1) One year of post-master's degree professional vocational rehabilitation counseling experience, equivalent to the GS-11 level. NONQUALIFYING EXPERIENCE: Vocational rehabilitation experience obtained prior to completion of the requirements for the master's degree is not qualifying. Your resume/application must support your response.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
8.
Manage vocational rehabilitation counseling or case management workload involving persons with a wide variety of conditions.
9.
Utilize a variety of resources, networking abilities, market and placement expertise, and other talents to determine how the rehabilitation will proceed.
10.
Develop a vocational rehabilitation plan to eliminate or address job impediments.
11.
Combine data from diagnostic tests and medical records to give a comprehensive picture of strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, and interests to help patients find a suitable employment or independent living objective.
12.
Analyze information to identify any physical, emotional, intellectual, personal adjustment, or other aspects that may affect training.
13.
Provide information and assistance through individual and group therapy sessions.
14.
Ensure that the entire spectrum of services required to achieve vocational rehabilitation by collaborating closely with other public and private organizations.
15.
Partner with administrators at schools, veterans' centers, military bases, federal, state, or local agencies to determine an individual needs and to provide the essential assistance.
16.
Partner with administrators at schools, veterans' centers, military bases, federal, state, or local agencies to provide job search or placement services.
17.
Provide early outreach to wounded, ill, or injured members, including the complete range of vocational rehabilitation services to the members while they are in the disability review process.
18.
Assist qualified individuals choose their educational or professional objectives.
19.
Determine eligibility for a range of financial assistance programs.
20.
Organize the procurement of services and evaluates invoices in accordance of the contract's requirements.
21.
Provide post-placement counseling and/or other assistance to assist people in maintaining their jobs.
22.
Modify the rehabilitation plan if the person is unable to meet the goals of the original plan.