- Position Title
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
- Agency
- Veterans Benefits Administration
- Announcement Number
- CASK-12581696-25-AT (NED) Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, November 18, 2024 to Friday, November 22, 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
Thank you for your interest in completing the online questionnaire for the position of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration. Your responses to this online application will be evaluated in making preliminary screening decisions for the position.
Informational Note: This position is covered by a single agency qualification : Effective July 28,2023, VA Handbook 5005 was updated to change the VBA qualification standard for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) in the GS-0101 series. All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement and Specialized experience as stated below, to qualify.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for the VRC position, candidates must meet the following basic requirements:
A. Education. Successful completion of a master's degree (or higher) in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation services, clinical rehabilitation counseling, counseling psychology, mental health counseling, career counseling or social work from an accredited college or university (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS).
B. Internship or Experience Requirement. The required (1) supervised internship or (2) post-master's degree experience is described as follows: (1) Supervised Internship: The education described above must have included a supervised internship in rehabilitation counseling or case management specialization. The internship must have been supervised by a professional in vocational rehabilitation or a closely related professional field that typically has oversight for vocational rehabilitation programs. OR (2) Experience: One-year post-master's degree experience in direct delivery of professional vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
OR
C. Grandfathering Provision. VRCs employed in VBA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including certifications that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:
(1) VRCs who are grandfathered into the GS-0101 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level of a career ladder or changed to a lower grade within the occupation or placed in a supervisory or managerial position.
(2) VRCs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not be extended or reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
(3) If VRCs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, they lose protected status and must meet the full qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
Informational Note: This position is covered by a single agency qualification : Effective July 28,2023, VA Handbook 5005 was updated to change the VBA qualification standard for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) in the GS-0101 series. All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement and Specialized experience as stated below, to qualify.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for the VRC position, candidates must meet the following basic requirements:
A. Education. Successful completion of a master's degree (or higher) in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation services, clinical rehabilitation counseling, counseling psychology, mental health counseling, career counseling or social work from an accredited college or university (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS).
B. Internship or Experience Requirement. The required (1) supervised internship or (2) post-master's degree experience is described as follows: (1) Supervised Internship: The education described above must have included a supervised internship in rehabilitation counseling or case management specialization. The internship must have been supervised by a professional in vocational rehabilitation or a closely related professional field that typically has oversight for vocational rehabilitation programs. OR (2) Experience: One-year post-master's degree experience in direct delivery of professional vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
OR
C. Grandfathering Provision. VRCs employed in VBA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including certifications that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:
(1) VRCs who are grandfathered into the GS-0101 occupational series may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level of a career ladder or changed to a lower grade within the occupation or placed in a supervisory or managerial position.
(2) VRCs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of this qualification standard may not be extended or reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of this standard.
(3) If VRCs who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation, they lose protected status and must meet the full qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
1.
Please select the one response that describes your ability to meet the Basic Education requirement for this VRC position.
2.
Please select the one response that describes your ability to meet the Internship or Experience Requirement for the VRC position.
3.
From the descriptions below, please select a response that best describes the level of education and experience you fully possess that demonstrates your ability and qualifications to perform the work of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the grade level of GS-11. Please select only one response. NOTE: If one year of work experience is credited for determining minimum qualifications, that year cannot also be used for determining grade level. For example, for candidates with two years of qualifying work experience, but no internship/practicum, the first year of experience is used to meet the basic requirement and the second year of experience to qualify for GS-11.
4.
From the descriptions below, please select a response that best describes the level of experience you fully possess that demonstrates your ability and qualifications to perform the work of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the GS-12 grade level. Please select only one response.
For each task in the following groups, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item.
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.
5.
Manage Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and case management workload involving persons with a wide variety of conditions.
6.
Coordinate assignments for project team members based on factors such as their project interests, strengths and competing workloads.
7.
Coordinate referral to other agencies and training programs.
8.
Develop a Vocational Rehabilitation plan to eliminate or resolve impediments to employment.
9.
Plan, manage, and evaluate organizational skills and time management.
10.
Provide counseling services in differing environments.
11.
Utilize special techniques such as role-playing to help client develop interviewing skills and style.
12.
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.
13.
Deliver group and individual counseling sessions.
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.
14.
Make Vocational Rehabilitation eligibility determinations, or assessments using a variety of resources, referral and networking skills, and knowledge of job markets and job placement.
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.
15.
Complete case narratives to document client meetings or interviews via written correspondence or computer files.
16.
Prepare written correspondence explaining decision, rationale, and appeal rights.
17.
Prepare Individual written Rehabilitation Plans, Individual Employment Assistance Plans, Individual Extended Evaluation Plans, and Individual Independent Living Plans (IWRP, IEAP, IEEP, IILP) to eliminate or resolve impediments to employment.
18.
Prepare administrative reports, feeder reports, or other reporting requirements to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of a vocational rehabilitation program's services.
19.
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.
20.
Conduct presentations to educate groups, committees, and clients on the employment of the disabled, utilizing charts, slides, graphs.
21.
Meet with clients and/or their representative to discuss program eligibility.
22.
Conduct intake interviews.
23.
Consult with physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other medical/psychological providers to obtain objective documentation regarding rehabilitation services.
24.
Develop an extensive network of job placement contacts as well as an understanding of local labor market issues.
25.
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
26.
Estimate potential to achieve a vocational goal to begin preparation of a rehabilitation plan by assessing all veterans' data.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
27.
Conduct job development activities to assist clients in finding suitable employment based on the individuals need.
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.
28.
Demonstrate an understanding of psychometric evaluations, neuro-psychological evaluations, orthopedic evaluations, and magnetic resonance imaging testing to provide a diagnosis of the disability.
29.
Select, administer, and interpret psychometric tests needed to provide information regarding clients' interests, aptitudes, abilities, functional capacities, and transferable skills.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
30.
Work with clients and customers, that is, any individual who uses or receives the services or products that the unit produces, including general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies or organizations.
31.
Assess clients and customer needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problem, or satisfy their expectations.
32.
Knowledge of available products and services, is committed to providing quality products and services.
33.
Provide tele-counseling services when needed.
34.
Consult with prospective employers on behalf of clients/customers.
Your responses in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your responses. Deliberate attempts to falsify information will be grounds for disqualifying you or for dismissing you from employment following acceptance. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. Certification of Information Accuracy If you fail to answer this question, you will be disqualified from consideration for this position.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
35.
CERTIFICATION: 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 my not being considered for this position.