Summary
The New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is currently seeking a social worker to join the Housing and Urban Development- VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) team. As the Rural HUD-VASH Social Worker, the incumbent is part of the interdisciplinary team providing psychosocial services to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. They conduct outreach and assessments through in-person, phone, and video contacts.
Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The HUD-VASH Rural Social Worker oversees all aspects of case management for assigned Veterans, including: Conducting outreach, community engagement, and Veteran identification for HCHV and HUD-VASH services. Verifying Veteran eligibility for VA medical care and program participation. Assisting with voucher paperwork and supporting Veterans through the voucher and lease-up processes. Utilizing Housing First and evidence-based models to promote engagement and self-sufficiency. Advocating for Veterans with landlords, PHA, community providers, and VA stakeholders. Performing in-person and phone assessments, developing treatment plans, and conducting in-home visits. Responding to Homeless Hotline calls, connecting Veterans to appropriate services. Helping Veterans set and achieve goals related to housing, employment, healthcare, benefits, and life planning. Coordinating comprehensive care, advocating for Veterans, and linking to VHA and community resources. Managing a caseload from initial assessment to long-term housing stability. Providing intensive case management for ongoing support. Delivering social work services in individual and group settings, in accordance with VHA directives. Participating in program calls, training, and adhering to VHA policies, including data collection and reporting. Engaging in program planning, recommending policy adjustments based on caseload trends. Committing to professional development through seminars, training, and staff initiatives. Collaborating with NMVACHS staff and community agencies to improve service delivery. Practicing in adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics and NMVAHCS guidelines. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Must have a valid driver's license. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; 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. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.