Summary The incumbent serves as the Social Services Assistant for VA Central Iowa Health Care System's (VACI HS) Homeless Programs and is located at the Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC). The Social Services Assistant supports the Homeless Programs by assisting with the day-to-day operations of the CRRC and providing support to professional staff in providing services to Veterans. Responsibilities Administrative Work (60%): Managing the fleet of Government vehicles assigned to the CRRC by completing vehicle checks as required by the VACI HS motor pool and accrediting bodies; coordinating scheduling of maintenance and repairs with the motor pool which may include taking the vehicle to be serviced, submitting vehicle logs, receipts, etc. per policy, and coordinating of other tasks that may be necessary. Completing an inventory when items are donated, organizing donated items and submitting donation forms to Voluntary Services per protocol. Providing coverage of the CRRC front desk, waiting area, and shower/laundry area. Assisting with monitoring of the CRRC Multipurpose Room as needed. Assisting with mass mailings as needed. Organizing and monitoring Veteran mail that is received at the CRRC. Ordering supplies and other items as needed (i.e. office supplies, linens, etc.) which may require going to the main campus to pick up. Assisting with data collection as needed. Gathering resource information from a variety of resources and sharing with the Homeless Programs team. This could include identifying housing in the community, including housing that accepts Section 8, and maintaining an inventory database of safe, available units. Participating in the Homeless Veteran Stand Down, Point-in-Time Count, and other community-based events as appropriate. Other administrative tasks necessary to maintain the day-to-day operation of the CRRC and Homeless Programs. Examples of tasks may include, but are not limited to, serving as a timekeeper, purchase card holder, ordering equipment, etc. Direct Work with Veterans (40%): Assisting Veterans with basic computer skills. Assisting Veterans with obtaining and completing necessary documentation and tasks in relation to meeting housing and employment goals. Assisting Veterans with housing searches, completing housing applications, etc. Assisting Veterans with building resumes, completing job applications, etc. Providing Veteran transportation to appointments, on housing searches, job interviews, etc. Assisting Veteran with move into housing which includes but is not limited to obtaining necessities and furniture, scheduling furniture move-in, and turning on utilities which may be done through collaboration with Voluntary Services and community providers. Informing treatment team of interests or concerns of the Veteran. Providing information about VA and community resources . Issuing donated items to Veterans as indicated following CRRC protocols. Documenting contacts and services or assistance provided in in the medical record. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level of GS-07 without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm 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 is authorized for Ad-hoc telework only. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Social Services Assistant/PD304040 and PD304050 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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 You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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. In carrying out responsibilities, operation of a motor vehicle is required which includes transporting Veterans. The Social Services Assistant travels into the community where he/she assists the Veteran. The incumbent must possess a current driver's license with a chauffeur's endorsement and drive a government vehicle in carrying out professional duties. All drivers must meet the minimum VA and VHA medical requirements for the operation of vehicles. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/19/2024. 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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. You may qualify the GS-06 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: serving as a group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs; serving as a counselor in a youth summer camp; serving as an instructor in a training program for the development of job skills; performing work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew; serving as a group activities leader in the Armed Services; serving as a unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs. OR, Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed at least one-half year of graduate level education (9 semester hours above a Bachelor's degree) or an internship in course matter that must include courses directly related to the work of the Social Services Assistant position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Social Services Assistant position. You may qualify the GS-07 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: serving as a group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs; serving as a counselor in a youth summer camp; serving as an instructor in a training program for the development of job skills; performing work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew; serving as a group activities leader in the Armed Services; serving as a unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities; serving as an aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs. OR, Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed at least one full year of graduate level education or an internship only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the Social Services Assistant position. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR, Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Social Services Assistant position. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Organizational Awareness Teamwork 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. 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 A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/. Additional Information 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. Physical Demands: Activities involve walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items. Whenever possible, carts and dollies can be utilized as an alternative to lifting. Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in community and office settings. The primary office location is at the Community Resource and Referral Center but may work at multiple sites within VA Central Iowa. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled area, except when performing duties out in the community since the environment cannot be as easily controlled. Workstation location may vary based on the needs of the program (i.e. CRRC front desk, CRRC multipurpose room). This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.