- Position Title
- Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSU-12735109-25-JMW Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 to Tuesday, September 30, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you currently employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
2.
Are you an employee of the facility indicated for this position?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
3.
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.
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.
4.
Are you willing to accept the working conditions as indicated in the announcement?
5.
Are you willing to accept the conditions of employment as indicated in the announcement?
6.
Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment physical?
7.
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Are you proficient in basic written and spoken English?
8.
A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.
Do you possess a current and valid state-issued driver's license?
Do you possess a current and valid state-issued driver's license?
9.
Please provide your driver's license number, issuing state and expiration date. Reminder - Do not include a copy of your license; if referred for interview it may be requested at that time.
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.
Preferences
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.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Your resume must be submitted in English and 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)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- 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.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
2.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest as a Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist with the Veterans Health Administration.
Please 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.
Note: Education must be verified by uploading copies of unofficial college transcripts with your resume. Experience will be verified by applicant's completing the duty section under each job history section in the resume.
Failure to upload your transcripts and/or adequately document your job experience and/or knowledge, skills, and abilities may result in disqualification of your application materials for this position.
Please read the job announcement carefully to ensure all pertinent data in included in your resume.
Please 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.
Note: Education must be verified by uploading copies of unofficial college transcripts with your resume. Experience will be verified by applicant's completing the duty section under each job history section in the resume.
Failure to upload your transcripts and/or adequately document your job experience and/or knowledge, skills, and abilities may result in disqualification of your application materials for this position.
Please read the job announcement carefully to ensure all pertinent data in included in your resume.
Basic requirements
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Do you meet the basic requirements listed above?
Note: You must upload a copy of all of your unofficial transcripts in order to demonstrate that you required education. And, if applicable, you must demonstrate that you meet the required experience in the employer work experience section of your resume. Failure to upload a copy of the required transcripts and demonstrate the required experience may disqualify you from this recruitment pool.
- Education Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university w/ major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family & consumer science education, technology & industrial arts education
- OR
- Master's degree from accredited college or university w/ major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family & consumer science education, technology & industrial arts education
- OR
- Bachelor's or master's degree from accredited college or university w/out major field of study & obtained certificate from accredited college or university in core curriculum in orientation & mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind & visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy. Education must have included supervised practice
- AND
- Completion of 1 year progressively complex experience equivalent to BRS GS-9 grade
- OR
- 3 years progressively higher-level graduate education leading to doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or directly related field
Do you meet the basic requirements listed above?
Note: You must upload a copy of all of your unofficial transcripts in order to demonstrate that you required education. And, if applicable, you must demonstrate that you meet the required experience in the employer work experience section of your resume. Failure to upload a copy of the required transcripts and demonstrate the required experience may disqualify you from this recruitment pool.
2.
Certification.
All applicants must hold at least one of the following certifications granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals, ACVREP as follows
Note: You must upload a copy of the current ACVREP certification with your application materials. Failure to upload a copy of the required certification may disqualify you from this recruitment pool.
All applicants must hold at least one of the following certifications granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals, ACVREP as follows
- Orientation & mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists, COMS®
- Communication & daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, CVRT®
- Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists, CLVT®
- Assistive technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist, CATIS®
Note: You must upload a copy of the current ACVREP certification with your application materials. Failure to upload a copy of the required certification may disqualify you from this recruitment pool.
Grade Determination Requirements: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all the requirements defined for each specific grade.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
3.
GS-11
Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements
AND
Certification At least one ACVREP certification, see list of applicable ACVREP certifications above.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, KSAs Candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs plus above experience
a) Knowledge & understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations & diagnostic tests & procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation
b) Ability to properly assess wide variety of patients having multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
c) Skill in development & writing of blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines w/ observable, measurable goals & that identifies specific outcomes
d) Knowledge of teaching methods & learning principles
e) Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques & coordinate treatment w/ other professionals to achieve outcomes of rehabilitation plan
f) Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients w/in scope of practice, making adaptations & modifications as required
g) Ability to plan, direct & distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns &/or BRSs at lower grade levels & perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students & interns
Grandfathering Provision. All BROS employed in VHA on effective date of qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for title, series & grade held, including positive education and certifications that are part of basic requirements Following provisions apply to employees who don't meet all basic requirements in this standard but who met qualifications applicable to position at time they were appointed
Note: You must upload the following documents with your application materials:
Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements
AND
Certification At least one ACVREP certification, see list of applicable ACVREP certifications above.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, KSAs Candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs plus above experience
a) Knowledge & understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations & diagnostic tests & procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation
b) Ability to properly assess wide variety of patients having multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
c) Skill in development & writing of blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines w/ observable, measurable goals & that identifies specific outcomes
d) Knowledge of teaching methods & learning principles
e) Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques & coordinate treatment w/ other professionals to achieve outcomes of rehabilitation plan
f) Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients w/in scope of practice, making adaptations & modifications as required
g) Ability to plan, direct & distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns &/or BRSs at lower grade levels & perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students & interns
Grandfathering Provision. All BROS employed in VHA on effective date of qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for title, series & grade held, including positive education and certifications that are part of basic requirements Following provisions apply to employees who don't meet all basic requirements in this standard but who met qualifications applicable to position at time they were appointed
- Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to & including full performance level or changed to lower grade w/in occupation
- Employees who are appointed on temporary basis prior to effective date of qualification standard may not have temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet basic requirements
- Employees initially grandfathered into occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education &/or certifications that meet all basic requirements of qualifications must maintain required equivalent credentials as condition of employment in occupation
- Employee loses protected status & must meet full VA qualification requirements in effect at time of reentry to occupation if BROS retained under provision leaves occupation
Note: You must upload the following documents with your application materials:
- A copy of all of your unofficial transcripts in order to demonstrate that you required education AND
- A copy of an ACVREP listed above AND
- Demonstrate that you meet the required experience in the employer work experience section of your resume, if applicable, AND
- Demonstrate all the required KSAs listed above.
4.
GS-12
Experience Completion of minimum of 1 year of experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level plus basic requirements
AND
Certification At least two ACVREP certifications listed above
AND
Demonstrated KSAs Candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs in addition to experience above
a) Skill to independently develop, plan & administer complex treatment programs
b) Ability to act as subject matter expert in blind/vision rehabilitation field & as consultant, supervisor &/or mentor in evaluating & treating patients in specialty or program areas
c) Ability to coordinate, motivate & effectively manage staff &/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities & delegating tasks & responsibilities
d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as consultant or mentor
e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing w/ patients, employees, other team leaders, managers & other stakeholders
f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe & modify behaviors
g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on day-to-day basis, to develop short-term & long-range goals & plan for future utilization of resources
Do you meet the GS-12 grade determination requirements for this position?
Note: You must upload the following documents with your application materials:
Experience Completion of minimum of 1 year of experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level plus basic requirements
AND
Certification At least two ACVREP certifications listed above
AND
Demonstrated KSAs Candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs in addition to experience above
a) Skill to independently develop, plan & administer complex treatment programs
b) Ability to act as subject matter expert in blind/vision rehabilitation field & as consultant, supervisor &/or mentor in evaluating & treating patients in specialty or program areas
c) Ability to coordinate, motivate & effectively manage staff &/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities & delegating tasks & responsibilities
d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as consultant or mentor
e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing w/ patients, employees, other team leaders, managers & other stakeholders
f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe & modify behaviors
g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on day-to-day basis, to develop short-term & long-range goals & plan for future utilization of resources
Do you meet the GS-12 grade determination requirements for this position?
Note: You must upload the following documents with your application materials:
- A copy of 2 ACVREP Certification s listed above AND
- Demonstrate that you meet the required experience in the employer work experience section of your resume AND
- Demonstrate all the required KSAs listed above.