Social Services Assistant

We're Looking for a skilled Social Services Assistant in the Veterans Health Administration based in Amarillo, Texas. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 07/16/2026. TimeInGrade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet timeingrade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS04. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF50 that shows your timeingrade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF50 has an effective date within the past year it may not clearly demonstrate you possess oneyear timeingrade as required by the announcement. In this instance you must provide an additional SF50 that clearly demonstrates oneyear timeingrade. Note: TimeInGrade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. English Language Proficiency: 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: I possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least next lower grade level (GS4) in the Federal service that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. (1) Knowledge of a wide range of concepts principles and practices in the areas of endoflife hospice death burial funeral and bereavement.. (2) Knowledge of a substantial body of administrative and program principles concepts policies and objectives in these and related programs. (3) Ability to perform analytical studies and interpretation of results to coordinate the evaluation of medical/scientific programs and policies and to recommend improvements. (4) Ability to communicate both orally and in writing to make presentations explain recommendations represent the division and assigned program areas provide guidance and advise program administrators respond to inquiries and prepare reports. (5) Knowledge and ability to work in a multifaceted complex and demanding environment to evaluate and prioritize workload tasks and requirements and to complete tasks and assignments with minimal supervision. (6) Broad understanding and detailed procedural knowledge of budget purchasing personnel and basic office information and technology functions. (7) Knowledge of standard processes and procedures for evaluating program efficiency to implement processes to improve programs. OR Education: Successfully completion of a 4year course of study leading to a bachelors degree that (a) include at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects directly related to the work of the position (b) included a major in social behavior human behavior or health care or (c) was supplemented by specialized experience as described above for GS4. OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completion of a 4year course of study leading to a bachelors degree that (a) include at least 24 semester hours in any combination and specialized experience as described above which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include a major in social behavior human behavior or health care or (c) was supplemented by specialized experience as described above for GS4. . You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer service Planning and Evaluation Veteran and Customer Focused Critical Thinking Creative Thinking Clerical Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional philanthropic religions spiritual community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 3540 hours of work per week. Parttime experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: A preplacement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a Government Vehicle. The work will involve using a laptop computer at docking stations in staff cubicles/office space outpatient treatment rooms and group/conference rooms. The work will involve walking around to different workspaces within the clinic and thus conveying a patient centered environment where providers go to the patient. The physical demands include presenting oneself in an energetic way to create positive attitudes about health and wellbeing for Veterans families VA employees and stakeholders. The position is responsible for participating in and facilitating groupbased and individual classes for Veteran patients and must be able to move from site to site to facilitate such classes. Some of the work will be performed in a healthcare clinic setting in an adequately lighted and climatecontrolled office. Portions of the work will involve going to community organizations on behalf of Veterans for the purpose of connecting Veterans to VA and nonVA services which support Veterans established health goals and behaviors. Whole Heath Partners who may be located at a main facility campus at CBOCs embedded in the community (e.g. vet centers YMCAs community centers etc.) and ensuring the delivery of Group Based Curriculum and individual exploration of goals for health and wellbeing. Additional Telehealth/CVT delivery of sessions may be required. For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at https://www.opm.gov/policydataoversight/classificationqualifications/generalschedulequalificationstandards/.

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.