- Position Title
- VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST
- Agency
- Veterans Benefits Administration
- Announcement Number
- CASK-12391003-24-SDC Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, April 29, 2024 to Tuesday, May 7, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
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.
3.
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.
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.
Assessment 1
1.
Thank you for your interest in the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist position with the Department Veterans Benefits Administration. Your responses to this online application will be evaluated in making preliminary screening decisions for the position. Your responses are subject to verification.
Informational Note: All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement and Specialized experience as stated below, to qualify. Please make sure documents (i.e. resume, transcripts) include all your qualifying experience and education.
INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATION REQUIREMENTS (IOR): To qualify for the VRS position, candidates must meet the following IOR requirements:
Education
Experience
Informational Note: All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement and Specialized experience as stated below, to qualify. Please make sure documents (i.e. resume, transcripts) include all your qualifying experience and education.
INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATION REQUIREMENTS (IOR): To qualify for the VRS position, candidates must meet the following IOR requirements:
Education
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position.
ORExperience
Specialized Experience: Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
- Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program.
- Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention.
- Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR) above, the following section is used to determine your job-related experience. Select the response that best represents your experience for this position. Select only one response. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience or demonstrated capability. You should be aware that your selections are subject to evaluation and verification based on the resume and other relevant documents you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your stated level of experience and demonstrated capability. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position following acceptance.
2.
To qualify at the GS-09 grade, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher. Specialized experience is defined as experience in rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness or human development theory and principles; experience in career development process and career development theory.
OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree: Major study: vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D.
OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate level education.
OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree: Major study: vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D.
OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate level education.
3.
To qualify at the GS-11 grade, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher. Specialized experience is defined as knowledge and experience in rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness or human development theory and principles; knowledge of rehabilitation counseling skills, techniques and resources needed to work with Veterans with multiple disabilities, homebound veterans, veterans with acute or chronic mental disabilities and those with problems adjusting to social and occupational requirements.
OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree: Major study - vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position, or 3 full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 full years of graduate level education.
OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree: Major study - vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position, or 3 full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 full years of graduate level education.
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.
4.
Manage vocational rehabilitation services and case management workload involving persons with a wide variety of conditions.
5.
Coordinate assignments for project team members based on factors such as their project interests, strengths and competing workloads.
6.
Coordinate referral to other agencies and training programs.
7.
Plan, manage, and evaluate organizational skills and time management.
8.
Utilize special techniques such as role-playing to help client develop interviewing skills and style.
9.
Make Vocational Rehabilitation eligibility determinations, or assessments using a variety of resources, referral and networking skills, and knowledge of job markets and job placement.
10.
Identify physical, emotional, intellectual, or other factors that may affect or interfere with a client training or rehabilitation, by analyzing data from a variety of sources concerning the veteran.
11.
Deliver group and individual counseling sessions.
12.
Consult with physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other medical/psychological providers to obtain objective documentation regarding rehabilitation services.
13.
Consult with prospective employers on behalf of clients/customers.
14.
Prepare administrative reports, feeder reports, or other reporting requirements to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of a vocational rehabilitation program's services.
15.
Develop an extensive network of job placement contacts as well as an understanding of local labor market issues.
16.
Assist Clients in identifying their significant interests, aptitudes, abilities, and characteristics.
17.
Prepare letters and/or other written communication to help train clients/veterans and other stakeholders in providing assistance to individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment.
18.
Meet with clients and/or their representative to discuss program eligibility.
19.
Provide assistance applying for benefits and resolving individual benefit issues.
20.
Consolidate information from diagnostic testing and medical records, to present an overall picture of a client's strengths, limitations, capabilities, and interests to assist individuals in developing an understanding of the disability and its effect on their life and employment opportunities.
21.
Estimate potential to achieve a vocational goal to begin preparation of a rehabilitation plan by assessing all veterans' data.
22.
Conduct job development activities to assist clients in finding suitable employment based on the individuals need.
23.
Select, administer, and interpret tests needed to provide information regarding clients' interests, aptitudes, abilities, functional capacities, and transferable skills.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
24.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in not being considered for this position.