Social Worker
United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Lebanon, PA
posted 4 months ago
About the position
The Social Worker position at the Lebanon VA Medical Center is focused on the coordination of case management services for Veterans who are receiving housing through HUD Section 8 housing vouchers. This role is part of the HUD-VASH program, which is an intensive case management initiative aimed at assisting chronically homeless Veterans by providing them with psychosocial services while they reside in stable housing facilitated by HUD's Section 8 voucher system. The Social Worker will be responsible for managing a caseload of Veterans enrolled in the HUD-VASH program, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources to thrive in their housing situations. In this role, the Social Worker will review agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and the VA to establish appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements. They will verify the Veterans' status and eligibility for VA medical care and program participation. Additionally, the Social Worker will conduct site visits to HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that Veterans are living in safe environments that comply with local housing codes. Advocacy is a key component of this position, as the Social Worker will coordinate care and link Veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices, and community agencies to ensure comprehensive service delivery. The position requires a commitment to compliance with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct to avoid any conflicts while serving as the HUD-VASH Case Manager. The work schedule is full-time, with hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the role may require travel to provide care in Veterans' homes, with an expected travel requirement of 75% or less. This is a permanent position with promotion potential up to GS-11.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate case management services for Veterans receiving HUD Section 8 housing vouchers.
- Manage a caseload of Veterans in the HUD-VASH program.
- Review agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and the VA for HUD-VASH placements.
- Verify Veterans' status and eligibility for VA medical care and program participation.
- Conduct site visits to HUD-VASH apartments to ensure compliance with local housing codes.
- Advocate on behalf of Veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
- Link and refer Veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices, and community agencies.
- Comply with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct.
Requirements
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited school.
- Licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Ability to work with Veterans and family members from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to assess psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their families.
- Ability to implement treatment modalities and establish effective working relationships.
Nice-to-haves
- Previous experience working with individuals and Veterans experiencing homelessness.
- Familiarity with resources available to Veterans experiencing homelessness in the Boston area.
- Knowledge of HUD and housing rules and regulations.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
- 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (including annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays).
- Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
- Childcare subsidy for eligible employees after 60 days of employment.
- Traditional federal pension and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA.
- Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance.
