Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist
VRS may be assigned to Transitional Work, Supported Employment, or Community Based Employment Services programs within Compensated Work Therapy (CWT). Primary Purpose:
The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) provides therapeutic services to Veterans whose employability or job adjustment is impaired by physical, mental, emotional or other disability, or by lack of basic education or job skills. The focus of services will be to promote optimal occupational functioning of Veterans within the community by utilizing appropriate interventions that achieve the vocational goals on the Veteran's Individual Employment Plan (IEP). The VRS will independently carry out a wide range of cases involving special procedures. These cases may require more intensive and extensive knowledge of disabilities or of other employment handicaps, and of occupational information, in relation to the more complicated problems involved in the training and job placement of the severely handicapped. They apply highly specialized knowledge of the situation, the skill requirements, and the job demands, to estimate the probable success that the handicapped individual will have in completing a training program and in being placed in employment in a particular occupation. The VRS also works closely with members of the interdisciplinary team including Physicians, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Therapists, Social Workers, and other care providers within the facility and in the community. MAJOR DUTIES:
The VRS determines the vocational goals and objectives of the Veteran based on referral from a professional staff member and by interviewing the Veteran. The VRS also determines the areas of vocational interests, and decides what services such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview skills training the Veteran may require in order to successfully obtain suitable employment. Training need determinations are difficult, as requirements that meet the Veteran's vocational goals and objectives are not available in standard vocational or training programs. Determinations require the VRS to analyze mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on motivations, adjustment to training, and difficulty in employment placement. The VRS counsels and guides Veterans through difficult transition in the adjustment to employment. Will help the employer or site supervisor understand the nature of the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability of success. The specialist evaluates the results of the program, professionally advocates for recommended changes and reports program progress in accordance with established procedure. The specialist is typically involved in more difficult emotional and economic problems. Great skill and knowledge are required to encourage and motivate the individual to become self-sufficient. Cases can become long-term, and the VRS may be the primary point of contact between the Veteran and the agency during these periods of time that can continue for several years, particularly for those participating in Supported Employment. The VRS may coordinate with various resources to locate potential employment and training (TW) sites in the community that will be specifically suitable from the standpoint of the particular needs and problems of the individual. The established programs require significant modification to accommodate the Veteran's severe limitations. The specialist finds suitable employment opportunities, monitors placement, and promotes successful adjustment. The incumbent is knowledgeable about the impact of work efforts on various forms of disability income and of the available resources to minimize and manage risks to the Veteran. If the Veteran agrees to disclose, the incumbent helps the employer to understand the nature of the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability to succeed. The specialist may handle difficult placement cases. Some cases will require substantial modification to environmental demands. Cases demand considerable ingenuity and persuasiveness on the part of the specialist to meet the limitations. Assignments include homebound cases where the only means of vocation would be for the Veteran to produce a good or service. Employers are less likely to be enthusiastic and considerable persuasion is required to convince them of the employee's ability to contribute and be productive. Promotion Potential:
The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level 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:
30a.m. - 4:
00p.m. Telework:
Not Available Position Description/PD#:
Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist/PD90457-A and PD90468-A To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/28/2020. 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-5, for a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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 For The Grade of GS-7:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program. Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention. Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems. OR, Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement. OR, Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education of 1 full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement. Specialized Experience For The Grade of GS-9:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program. Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention. Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems. OR, Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related OR, Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education of a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Employee DevelopmentTeaching OthersTherapy and Counseling 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:
Heavy lifting, Heavy carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, climbing, both legs required, operation of motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades, and hearing (Aid permitted) 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/.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) provides therapeutic services to Veterans whose employability or job adjustment is impaired by physical, mental, emotional or other disability, or by lack of basic education or job skills. The focus of services will be to promote optimal occupational functioning of Veterans within the community by utilizing appropriate interventions that achieve the vocational goals on the Veteran's Individual Employment Plan (IEP). The VRS will independently carry out a wide range of cases involving special procedures. These cases may require more intensive and extensive knowledge of disabilities or of other employment handicaps, and of occupational information, in relation to the more complicated problems involved in the training and job placement of the severely handicapped. They apply highly specialized knowledge of the situation, the skill requirements, and the job demands, to estimate the probable success that the handicapped individual will have in completing a training program and in being placed in employment in a particular occupation. The VRS also works closely with members of the interdisciplinary team including Physicians, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Therapists, Social Workers, and other care providers within the facility and in the community. MAJOR DUTIES:
The VRS determines the vocational goals and objectives of the Veteran based on referral from a professional staff member and by interviewing the Veteran. The VRS also determines the areas of vocational interests, and decides what services such as job seeking skills training, resume development, or interview skills training the Veteran may require in order to successfully obtain suitable employment. Training need determinations are difficult, as requirements that meet the Veteran's vocational goals and objectives are not available in standard vocational or training programs. Determinations require the VRS to analyze mental and physical disabilities or other handicaps, in terms of the practical effects of such handicaps on motivations, adjustment to training, and difficulty in employment placement. The VRS counsels and guides Veterans through difficult transition in the adjustment to employment. Will help the employer or site supervisor understand the nature of the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability of success. The specialist evaluates the results of the program, professionally advocates for recommended changes and reports program progress in accordance with established procedure. The specialist is typically involved in more difficult emotional and economic problems. Great skill and knowledge are required to encourage and motivate the individual to become self-sufficient. Cases can become long-term, and the VRS may be the primary point of contact between the Veteran and the agency during these periods of time that can continue for several years, particularly for those participating in Supported Employment. The VRS may coordinate with various resources to locate potential employment and training (TW) sites in the community that will be specifically suitable from the standpoint of the particular needs and problems of the individual. The established programs require significant modification to accommodate the Veteran's severe limitations. The specialist finds suitable employment opportunities, monitors placement, and promotes successful adjustment. The incumbent is knowledgeable about the impact of work efforts on various forms of disability income and of the available resources to minimize and manage risks to the Veteran. If the Veteran agrees to disclose, the incumbent helps the employer to understand the nature of the Veteran's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the Veteran's capability to succeed. The specialist may handle difficult placement cases. Some cases will require substantial modification to environmental demands. Cases demand considerable ingenuity and persuasiveness on the part of the specialist to meet the limitations. Assignments include homebound cases where the only means of vocation would be for the Veteran to produce a good or service. Employers are less likely to be enthusiastic and considerable persuasion is required to convince them of the employee's ability to contribute and be productive. Promotion Potential:
The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level 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:
30a.m. - 4:
00p.m. Telework:
Not Available Position Description/PD#:
Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist/PD90457-A and PD90468-A To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/28/2020. 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-5, for a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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 For The Grade of GS-7:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program. Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention. Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems. OR, Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement. OR, Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education of 1 full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement. Specialized Experience For The Grade of GS-9:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program. Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention. Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems. OR, Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related OR, Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education of a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Employee DevelopmentTeaching OthersTherapy and Counseling 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:
Heavy lifting, Heavy carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, climbing, both legs required, operation of motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades, and hearing (Aid permitted) 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/.
- Department:
1715 Vocational Rehabilitation - Salary Range:
$46,499 to $73,943 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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