Social Worker Program Director

We're Looking for a skilled Social Worker Program Director in the Veterans Health Administration based in Baltimore, Maryland. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen (Noncitizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) Education: Requires a masters degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masters degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website to verify if that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work. Licensure: Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS9 grade level. For appointments at the GS9 grade level VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent masters level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 167 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Social Worker (Program Manager) GS14 (1) Experience and Education. One year of experience equivalent to the GS 13 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills and judgment demonstrating progressively more professional competency. (2) Licensure/Certification: Individuals assigned as social worker program manager must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSA (a) Skill in large scale program coordination and administration across multiple sites which includes consultation negotiation and monitoring. (b) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into wellcoordinated and controlled work operations. (c) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. (d) Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. (e) Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed performance evaluations selection of staff training and recommendation of awards advancements and when appropriate disciplinary action. (f) Ability to oversee the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (including fund controls contracts and equipment expenditures) forecast resource and equipment needs and administer the allocated budget. (g) Skill in developing policies procedures and/or practice guidelines for the program and in participating in national program development. (h) Ability to collaborate with internal VHA partners locally and on a national level as well as external community partners to further program goals and enhance patient centered care. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary (computer work meetings phone calls etc.) with some walking required. May require travel for training meetings and/or site visits. Reference: VA Regulations specifically VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G39 Social Worker Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is 14.

What’s on Offer

The role offers excellent opportunities for top performers to further develop their competencies as a social worker and improving the lives of people.