Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist – Assistant Director

Summary The primary purpose of this position is to provide supervision and subject matter expertise for provision of blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Servicemembers. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills, and computer access instruction. Responsibilities The Assistant Director provides supervision and direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients and must tailor supervision, patient care, and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. This includes the responsibility to oversee the assessment of each patients needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of, and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation to include assessment, treatment, and follow-up for the purpose of overseeing the work of Blind Rehabilitation Specialists who are GS-9 to GS-11 level. Functions and duties include: Perform the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised. Establish guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are communicated through the employee performance management system. Assure staff is fully trained and comply with the provisions of safety regulations. Train and observe performance of supervised staff and demonstrate and conduct work performance critiques. Provide informal feedback and periodically evaluate performance. Resolve informal complaints and grievances. Provide advice and counsel to staff relative to work and administrative matters. Apply disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this position. Review and approve or disapprove leave requests. In addition to administrative duties, the Assistant Director will also provide direct services for visually impaired Veterans and active duty Servicemembers. Participate in the planning, review, and evaluation of proposed therapy programs at the inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC). Responsible for scheduling the patient treatment programs. Manage the weekly/daily staff teaching schedule and patient assignments for the department. Supervise a staff of employees to accomplish the work of the organizational unit; assign and review work as well as the administrative and personnel management functions. Identify developmental and training needs for instructors and provide provisions for appropriate training. Assign departmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of these duties. Schedule regular departmental meetings for sharing of information. Schedule, plan, and coordinate orientation and training programs for new employees and clinical trainees under his/her supervision, as well as orientation for ancillary staff. Coordinate annual leave and authorized absence requests for Blind Rehabilitation Specialist staff to insure adequate patient coverage. Provide coverage of Veterans treatment programs in the absence of their regularly assigned blind rehabilitation specialists. Work to resolve employee problems or complaints, and advises, counsels, and instructs these employees on both work and administrative matters. Responsible for dealing with grievances, disciplinary problems, or conflicts amongst their direct reports. Responsible for counseling staff in matters of performance, meeting on a regular basis to encourage personal and professional growth. Annual performance appraisals are completed for each direct report. Review staff documentation and ensure staff members complete documentation within designated timeframes. As a clinical supervisor, the Assistant Director is a mentor to university trainees and is responsible to orient them to the BRC, organize internship experiences to enable development of Blind and Vision Rehabilitation teaching skills, and provide opportunities for both formal and informal evaluation that will enable optimum learning and growth while establishing realistic goals for each individual trainee. Educate visitors and family members about the Blind Rehabilitation program. Responsible for the safety and maintenance of offices and therapy areas, and shares responsibility with the Director for approval of supplies and equipment ordering. Review special prosthetic requests, in conjunction with the Director. Participate in quality assurance programs and accreditation preparations. Responsible for furthering goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO). In conjunction with the Director of the Service, the Assistant Director will interview candidates for vacancies and make recommendations for appointment, promotion, or reassignment. In the absence of the Director, the Assistant Director will be called upon to assume administrative responsibility to assure satisfactory continuation of the rehabilitation program. Work Schedule: Mon – Fri, 7:30am to 4:00pm. 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 Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. (1) The individual must have earned: (a) A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, closely related program in rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, or technology and industrial arts education OR, (b) A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) above) that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following: i. At least 30 semester hours of directly related, upper level undergraduate courses (e.g., at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university). ii. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 -18 semester hours). iii. A certificate from an accredited college or university in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree. iv. Foreign Graduates must have proof of a minimum of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in blind rehabilitation. Certification. Required at the GS-11 grade level and above. (1) Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. Certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation. NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below: (2) BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: (a) Orientation and mobility training – Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®). (b) Communication and daily living therapy – Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®). (c) Low vision therapy – Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). (d) Assistive Technology – Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®). Loss of Credential. (1) Once certified, a BRS must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of certification will result in removal from the BRS occupation and may result in termination of employment. (2) A BRS who has, or has ever had his/her certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16 of this part. (3) If hired based on experience as a social worker, rehabilitation counselor, or equivalent, relevant professional counseling credential in rehabilitation, the VIST Coordinator must still maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Supervisory BRS, GS-12. Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Certification. BRS must meet the certification requirements as stated above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Ability to plan, direct, mentor, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels. (b) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating Veterans in specialty or program areas. (c) Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with Veterans, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. (g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, develop short term and long-range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. (h) Skill in developing, planning, and administering complex treatment programs. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: This position requires light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds) and emotional stability. You must be able to work alone and closely with others. Education IMPORTANT: This position has a positive education or training requirement. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of the required degree or program is required and must include the name of the school, your name, date conferred or completed, and degree or certificate type. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.