Senior Social Worker (Veterans Justice Outreach)

JobSummary

The Senior Social Worker serves as a Veterans Justice Programs (VJP) Specialist and functions as a community-facing outreach clinician in accordance with VHA Directive 1162.06. The incumbent is responsible for outreach, identification, engagement, treatment-matching assessment, referral, linkage, systems coordination, and short-term case management for justice-involved Veterans in criminal justice settings including jails, prisons, courts, and community supervision environments.

LowGrade

12

HighGrade

12

PromotionPotential

None

SubAgencyName

West Texas VA Health Care System

OrganizationCodes

VA/VATA

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• fed-competitive
• fed-excepted
• fed-internal-search
• public

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

1

AgencyMarketingStatement

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans? The West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) located in Big Spring Texas provides a variety of inpatient and outpatient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as offering numerous educational programs. The facility serves counties in West Texas and the New Mexico area, with a Veteran population of approximately 57,000. Big Spring, "The Crossroads of West Texas" has a growing economy with new businesses locating in the area offering more shopping, family orientated attractions, and a bustling revitalized downtown area. Big Spring is centrally located within driving range of the following communities Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Abilene, and Lubbock, Texas. www.vistitbigspring.com

TravelCode

2

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The primary purpose of the position is to facilitate access to appropriate VA and community-based services, promote stabilization, and reduce risk of homelessness and recidivism. The VJP Specialist works in partnership with criminal justice agencies, community organizations, and VA clinical programs to support successful community reintegration. The VJP Specialist is licensed at the independent practice level and practices within professional scope. While capable of diagnostic formulation within scope of practice, the primary focus of the role is outreach, engagement, coordination, and facilitation of care rather than serving as a primary outpatient psychotherapist. Ongoing clinical treatment responsibility transfers to receiving VA programs once the Veteran is engaged in care, consistent with VHA Directive 1110.04(1), Integrated Case Management Standards of Practice. The incumbent is administratively responsible for daily operation of the VJP program, data management, and compliance with national program monitoring requirements. Outreach and Engagement: The incumbent conducts active outreach to justice-involved Veterans in jails, prisons, courts, and community supervision settings. Outreach activities include field interviews, identification of Veterans through approved processes, coordination with correctional staff, and provision of education regarding VA services. The VJP Specialist establishes and maintains professional relationships with judges, officers of the court, probation and parole officers, correctional administrators, law enforcement agencies, and community partners to ensure access to justice-involved Veterans and continuity of care. Clinical Assessment and Treatment-Matching: The incumbent conducts psychosocial treatment-matching assessments to identify biopsychosocial needs and determine appropriate referrals to VA and community-based services. Responsibilities include: - Assessing risk factors, acuity, and stabilization needs. - Developing individualized referral and engagement plans. - Facilitating linkage to medical, mental health, substance use disorder, housing, employment, peer support, and other supportive services. - Providing consultation regarding engagement strategies and clinical needs. Clinical services provided within this role are focused on engagement, assessment, and coordination. Ongoing specialty mental health treatment is provided by receiving VA clinical programs once engagement is established. Duties are continued in the education section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: This is an onsite position. may be offered when deemed necessary by the department AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55020-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Must have a CSWE Accredited Master of Social Work NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/ at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CSWE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Duties Continued: Case Management: The incumbent provides short-term case management when clinically indicated, particularly for: - Veterans participating in Veterans Treatment Courts. - Veterans transitioning from incarceration. - Veterans requiring stabilization support to engage in VA services. Case management adheres to VHA Directive 1110.04(1) and local procedures. Once Veterans are fully engaged in a receiving VA program, primary case management responsibility transitions to that program. Duration of VJP case management varies based on justice system supervision and individual need. Court and Criminal Justice Collaboration: The incumbent serves as the VA liaison to criminal justice partners and: - Participates as a member of Veterans Treatment Court teams when applicable. - Provides treatment progress updates with appropriate authorization. - Ensures compliance with privacy and release-of-information standards. - Does not influence criminal justice outcomes, charging decisions, or provide legal advocacy. Systems Intervention and Program Development: The incumbent engages in non-clinical program development activities including: - Negotiating and maintaining access to correctional facilities. - Participating in community reentry boards and planning committees. - Providing education and training to VA staff and community stakeholders. - Developing innovative outreach strategies. - Coordinating with VJP Specialists across VISNs to ensure continuity of care for Veterans relocating between jurisdictions. Documentation and Data Management: The incumbent: - Documents all clinical contacts in CPRS in accordance with VHA Directive 1907.01. - Documents only information clinically relevant to treatment. - Records required participant data in HOMES per Homeless Programs Office standards. - Utilizes appropriate DSS stop codes (591/592 and associated codes as applicable). - Completes mandated reporting and participates in national program monitoring. Workload Considerations: Due to the field-based and community-facing nature of the VJP program, workload expectations account for: - Travel to jails, prisons, and courts. - Court participation and criminal justice collaboration. - Community liaison and systems coordination. - Outreach development activities. - Administrative documentation and reporting requirements. Productivity expectations are established consistent with VHA Directive 1161 and national Homeless Program guidance.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-placement examination. Valid driver's license required. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Evaluations

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. 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. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

HowToApply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12899097. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

WhatToExpectNext

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

RequiredDocuments

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Resume/CV Other (2) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp

OtherInformation

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

02

AnnouncementClosingType

03

AnnouncementClosingTypeOption

50

AgencyContactEmail

VISN17SSUUSAS@va.gov

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

False

PositionSensitivitiy

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

AdjudicationType

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness