Career Center

The Supervisory Social Worker (SSW) position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Salem VA Healthcare System, Salem, Virginia, assigned to the Social Work Service. The SSW typically has significant personnel management responsibilities for a small to medium size professional and non­ professional staff; responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area within the Social Work Service. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Regulations. Education. Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work. Licensure/Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grandfathering Provision. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determination - GS-12 Supervisory Social Worker: Education and Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience must demonstrate possession of advanced practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Candidate may have certification or other post-master's degree training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship, or equivalent supervised professional experience. Licensure/Certification: Individuals assigned as Supervisory Social Workers must be licensed or certified at the advanced practice level, and must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, and meet multiple deadlines. (b) Knowledge of supervisory duties which includes clinical supervision, consultation, negotiation with other departments and quality improvement. (c) Ability to ensure provision of clinical social work services. (d) Ability to provide staff training and development. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the GS-12 grade level, supervisory social workers typically have significant personnel management responsibilities for a small to moderate sized professional and non-professional staff, including support staff and professional staff at the GS-12 grade level and below. The supervisory social worker is responsible for the professional and administrative management of an area in a social work service, in a care/product line, or multiple facilities. They provide direct clinical services with or without program coordination responsibilities. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G39, Social Worker Qualification Standard, September 10, 2019. Available in the Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary in nature and usually occurs within climate controlled clinical and administrative settings. There may be occasional light lifting/carrying (15 pounds or less) requirements to relocated boxed materials from one area to another, equipment and room set-up, and ambulation related to the physical inspections of the facilities. The incumbent will annually complete Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior Training (PMDB) training as assigned. The incumbent will be expected to successfully negotiate various functional requirements and environmental factors for the position. ["Major Duties includes but not limited to:\nAssumes the supervisory and administrative responsibility for the management of the assigned social workers who function within various programs in the VA Medical Center. Assists in planning, establishing, and implementing policies and procedures; developing individual or group goals and objectives as well as monitoring, operating, evaluating, coordinating and overseeing the Social Work staff of the assigned program. Assures the Social Workers whom they supervise are aware of and adhere to all current directives of VHA as well as standards set forth by The Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, state licensure board, and the Office of the Inspector General. Conducts ongoing intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure the accomplishment of objectives and adherence to standards set by governing bodies. Supervises a group of employees performing work at various GS levels (up to GS12) and provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit. These functions include: Performs the administrative and personnel management function relative to staff supervised. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. 1. Observing workers' performance;\n2. Demonstrating and providing work performance critiques;\n3. Providing informal feedback and periodic evaluations of employee performance; and 4. Developing work improvement plans and recommending personnel actions as necessary.\n5. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Works to resolves informal complaints and grievances. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Assures subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations. Supervises employees to accomplish the work of the organization unit. Exercises supervisor authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review, as well as the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised. Performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to state, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided to monitor activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. Uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs. Handles key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component. A substantial portion of the workload directed by this position will be carried out at one or more locations that are physically removed from the main unit under conditions that make day-to-day supervision difficult to administer. Supervises an organizational unit. This unit involves both inpatient and outpatient areas. Available in-person and on-site to staff to address any issues or concerns. Provides clinical services for all areas of supervision as needed when no other coverage is available. Provides ongoing clinical services to an ongoing caseload as specified by the Supervisor and/or Chief, Social Work Service. Supervises employees to accomplish the work of the organization unit. Exercises supervisor authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review, as well as the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised. Performs work related to the review, monitoring, analysis, planning and assessment of various programs. Collaborates in the performance improvement processes and complies with performance measures as required by the VA for their specific population and/or program. Attends all appropriate staff meetings and perform other duties as required. Practices independently, exercising initiative and independent judgment in day-to-day activities. Supervision/consultation is of an administrative and professional nature; with the assigned social work Supervisor and/or Chief, Social Work Service, providing guidelines as to the general policy and direction of SWS or for programs the incumbent coordinates and/or supervises. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Work Schedule: 7:45A-4:30P\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a remote or virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]