Social Service Representative

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. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. AND In addition to meeting the English Language requirement you must also meet one of the following to qualify for this position at the GS-7 grade level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Social Services Representative. Specialized experience is experience in mental health in a program of direct social welfare services that require the application of program policy and operations knowledge in providing social welfare services and/or assisting social workers. (This experience must be documented in the resume) OR EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Successfully completed one (1) full academic year of graduate level education with a major study in social sciences. 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 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduated education and specialized experience as described above that may be used to meet total qualification requirements. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Information Management Interpersonal Skills Manages and Organizes Information Transportation IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work is often sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there is walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers and books, and driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The incumbent may be required to travel to another division if needed. 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/.
The Social Service Representative will serve as a Social Work Assistant and Housing Support Specialist for the Housing and Urban Development/VA Supported Housing (HUDVASH) program, a section of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Service at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center (VAMC) located in Walla Walla, WA.