Social Science Program Special

We're Looking for a skilled Social Science Program Special in the Veterans Health Administration based in Reno, Nevada. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a). Education and experience: The candidate must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1)Successful completion of a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The degree must be in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g. psychology social work sociology family counseling mental health counseling nursing ministry and criminal justice) OR (2)Two years of specialized experience as a first responder (e.g. Police MedicEmergency Medical Technician Emergency Dispatch etc.) or in a social science related field that included behavioral health crisis response and two years of higher education (i.e. above the high school level) from an accredited college or university in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g. psychology social work sociology family counseling mental health counseling nursing ministry and criminal justice) OR (3)Successful completion of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or universityin any field and one year of specialized experience that included behavioral healthcrisis response or mental health counseling. c.Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series orin another occupational series who perform the duties as described in the qualificationstandard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade heldincluding positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of thebasic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basicrequirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to theposition at the time they were appointed to it the following provisions apply: (1)Employees in an occupation not requiring a licensure/certification/registration may bereassigned promoted or demoted within the occupation. (2)Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration may bereassigned promoted up to and including the full performance level or demotedwithin the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level orplaced in supervisory or managerial positions. (3)Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only athigher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirementbefore they can be promoted to those highergrade levels. (4)Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of thequalification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or bereappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basicrequirements of the standard. (5)Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. NOTE: Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency: Social Science Specialists (Crisis Responders) must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade level. Supervisory Social Science Specialist GS12 (1)Experience. In addition to the basic requirements one year of experience comparable to the GS11 grade level. (2)Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level the higherlevel duties must consist of significant scope complexity difficulty and a range of variety that the incumbent must perform at least 25 of the time. Employees at the GS12 level provide direct supervision to Social Science Specialists (Crisis Responders). Supervisors provide oversight for evidencebased paraprofessional skilled intervention services trainers and silent monitors. Supervisors must possess clinical expertise to serve as a consultant to other Crisis Responder supervisors and any other staff assigned to the VCL. They troubleshoot and solve any unique problems or challenges that occur while connecting Veterans to the appropriate level of care. Supervisors resolve work problems presented by staff and recommends or implements methods to improve production/quality of work in the unit. Supervisors provide subordinates with performance requirements and expectations. They track and evaluate progress providing feedback to the Crisis Responder. Supervisory responsibilities include making recommendations for employee promotions or reassignments approving leave requests addressing leave issues and taking disciplinary action in accordance with established policy and negotiated labor agreements. Supervisors assign work to be accomplished by subordinates. Supervisors manage stressful complex or emergent situations that may arise within the workplace. Supervisors assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure efficient and safe operation of the VCL. Supervisors ensure policies training and clinical procedures of the VCL are up to date and consistent with crisis intervention practice clinical practice and effective coordination of care. Supervisors communicate business goals procedures and quality standards and provides leadership with guidance regarding clinical standards training policy development and data analysis. Supervisors identify career development and training needs of employees. Supervisors promote an environment that encourages staff wellbeing. After an emotionally charged contact the supervisor supports staff to ensure the Crisis Responder managed the situation in an appropriate manner including post event review. (3)Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge and skill in management/administration which includes supervision consultation negotiations and monitoring. (b)Ability to write policies procedures and or/practice guidelines. (c)Ability to effectively interact with individuals and groups with cultural differences to problemsolve and negotiate complex issues and obtain cooperation. (d)Ability to provide training orientation consultation and guidance within clinical specialization of practice. (e)Skill in developing interpersonal relationships including the ability to address the unique needs of Crisis Responders. This includes the provision of postvention as professionally indicated. (f)Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and make recommendations for change as appropriate.

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.