The position is at the full performance level located at the VA San Diego Healthcare System in Social Work Service. In his/her capacity as a Social Services Assistant the incumbent engages in activities which extend the functions and support the mission of Social Work Service. One focus of this position is on the effective screening of Veterans.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/14/2025.Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Performing administrative clerical/technical support, knowledge of basic computer skills, including the collection and management of clinical and administrative data and customer service. Expected to do outreach to assist homeless Veterans. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Customer Service Interpersonal Skills Self-Management Technical Competence Writing 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 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time 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: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, talking, driving, use of the telephone, fax machines and copy machines. Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day-to-day activities. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
All the social workers are members of multidisciplinary teams in one of the several programs or bed services at the VASDHS. Several programs are under the organizational structure of Social Work Service, including the Transition and Care Management program, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans program, the Contract Nursing Home program, Community Residential Care program, the Contract Adult Day Health care program, the Contract Homemaker/Home Health aide program, Caregiver Support program, and the Intimate Partner Violence program. Social Work Service also oversees provision of psychiatric emergency department coverage seven days/week from 7am-11pm. The Social Services Assistant is an extension of the social work staff and can perform many of the basic social work functions to maximize the effective use of time by the professional staff. Major duties are below but not limited to: Incumbent is the principal point of contact for all Veterans seeking social work services at the VA Medical Center and other office locations in the community that house social work programs. Make an assessment of their needs, identify problems, inform them of the VA services or benefits available, provide supportive counseling, refer them to appropriate programs and resources, and when needed, assist them in linking up with a Social Worker or program that can be of most assistance. Provides education/guidance and assists Veterans and family members with completing Advance Directives (Living Will/Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care) and provides guidance to patients regarding these documents. Triages incoming calls and inquiries regarding the transfer of Veterans from outside facilities to the VAMC. Ensures that all necessary information is transmitted into CPRS. Acts as the service's liaison with both local Vet Centers to ensuring that they receive all necessary administrative support. Refers Veterans to these centers as appropriate. Incumbent is an integral member of Social Work Service and participates in the formulation, structure and assessment of the policies and procedures for the service. Provides administrative support to the following clinical services: Transition and Care Management program, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans program, the Contract Nursing Home program, Community Residential Care program, the Contract Adult Day Health care program, the Contract Homemaker/Home Health aide program, Caregiver Support program, and the Intimate Partner Violence program, and to the main Social Work office. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This can change based on need at time of hire. On-Call, Overtime, Holidays and weekends may be required. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a Virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Social Service Assistant/91613390 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorizes Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required