Summary The Housing Assistant serves as the Housing Assistant for the San Francisco VA Health Care System's (SFVAHCS) HUD-VASH program, located within Homeless Programs within Social Work Service. The HUD-VASH program is a key component to VA's continuum of homeless services, representing VA's only means of providing permanent housing to vulnerable and/or chronically homeless Veterans. This serves as a critical role in VA's goal in ending Veteran homelessness. Responsibilities The Housing Assistant role for the incumbent is to be an active member of the HUD-VASH program working closely with the HUD-VASH team within the SFVA catchment area. The incumbent also works with the VA Health Care System's multidisciplinary team to provide appropriate coordination to better serve Veterans' needs. Moreover, the incumbent collaborates with community agencies to provide housing resources to obtain and maintain permanent housing, such as security deposit and back rent assistance. The continuous joint effort with community agencies that the incumbent initiates and fosters, will increase the development of effective and efficient ways of providing housing services to HUD-VASH Veterans. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as a housing resource for the HUD-VASH program in connecting with new and existing landlords to assist Veterans in securing housing for all counties (San Francisco, San Bruno, Marin, Santa Rosa, Ukiah, Clearlake and Napa) participating in the HUD-VASH program. Provides assistance with running the vouchering group in collaboration with Public Housing Agency (PHA) staff, understands the process of rental and utility assistance programs, locating suitable permanent housing while maintaining an inventory of safe available units, continually communicating with landlords to build rapport and assistance, and conducting outreach to prospective landlord/property management agencies on behalf of a HUD-VASH Veteran. Assist HUD-VASH Veterans in obtaining appropriate verification documents needed to complete PHA packet for voucher (CA ID, VA ID, DD214, social security card, current proof of income for SSA, SSI, SSDI, GA, or Food Stamps). Provide education to individuals and organizations on behalf of HUD-VASH Veterans as well as explaining the role of the HUD-VASH Social Worker in helping to promote housing stability for program participants. Assist in maintaining accurate data reporting (i.e. Project Based Housing availabilities and exits), inventory collection and upkeep on housing developments and landlords/property management agencies, property E-9 form for rental assistance, and HUD-VASH Veterans who return their HUD-VASH vouchers. Possession of a valid driver's license and operation of a GSA vehicle is required for the incumbent to travel within the catchment area in the community to assist the Veteran in securing housing. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, as determined by supervisor Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: HOUSING ASSISTANT/PD00929A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/05/2024. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-06) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: ability to use computers (to include word processing software and office automation functions); skill in communicating and dealing effectively with populations that may suffer from disabling physical and/or emotional conditions; skill in teaching and engaging problem solving and conflict resolution strategies; and ability to use resources, benefits, and administrative procedures to find affordable housing. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Customer Service Decision Making Interpersonal Skills Veteran and Customer Focus 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 position may entail possible lifting of no more than 25 pounds of move-in kits on an as-needed basis, but whenever possible, dollies and carts will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. Possession of a valid driver's license and operation of a GSA vehicle is required for the incumbent to travel within the catchment area in the community to assist the Veteran in securing housing. Also, the physical demands include walking, observing and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, active listening, reading, speaking, writing clinical notes in CPRS, using office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, and copy machines. Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office setting where there is adequate lighting and climate controlled. However, much of the work duties will be out in the community where the environment cannot be controlled. Travel by vehicle is required. Applicant must possess a valid driver's license in order to utilize the GSA Vehicle. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. 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. 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.