DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VA HEALTHCARE NETWORK UPSTATE NEW YORK

VA Syracuse, NY 13210

**VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 528E-09-79AC**

**OPENING DATE: March 5, 2009** **CLOSING DATE: March 19, 2009**

**POSITION: Readjustment Counseling Technician GS-102-5 (target 6/7)**

**or GS-6 target 7 or GS-7**

##  

**SALARY:** **GS-5: \$30,772 - \$40,005**

**GS-6: \$34,300 - \$44,589**

**GS-7: \$38,117 - \$49,553**

**DUTY LOCATION: Permanent Location, Vet Center- Watertown, NY**

(Assigned to Mobile Vet Center Motor Coach)

**TOUR OF DUTY:** Full-time -- Days

**APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM:** Current permanent employees of
the Department of Veterans Affairs and current Federal employees serving
under a career or career conditional appointment, former Federal
employees with reinstatement eligibility, or persons eligible for
non-competitive appointment under Special Authorities. Veterans who are
preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed forces
under honorable conditions after substantially completing 3 or more
years of active service may apply.

**RELOCATION EXPENSES AUTHORIZED:** No **NUMBER OF VACANCIES: One**

**DUTIES:** The incumbent will serve in a developmental assignment which
is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience
to perform the full range of routine and non-routine assignments with a
high level of independence. As a Readjustment Counseling Technician, the
incumbent engages in activities which extend the outreach functions of
Readjustment Counseling services to various sites. The incumbent
conducts active community outreach to Veterans, front-line
identification of needs and problems, and channels Veterans to the other
VA facilities and community agencies for appropriate services. The
incumbent will work in diverse and unusual settings, interacting with a
broad range of individuals from various socioeconomic classes and
racial-ethnic backgrounds and special populations such as women Veterans
and disabled Veterans, most of whom will be experiencing some degree of
psychosocial readjustment problems and/or alienation toward
counseling/treatment settings. The incumbent will contact eligible
combat Veterans and their significant others from widely diverse
backgrounds in order to ascertain their needs and identify their
problems, inform them of DVA services and/or benefits and initiate the
readjustment counseling process. Incumbent assists in obtaining
treatment for Veterans through federal, state and local resources.
Although the incumbent does not independently treat severe disorders,
he/she must possess the ability to recognize problems and communicate to
the Veteran the need for professional help. The incumbent serves as the
designated driver for the Vet Center Community Outreach Vehicle. The
incumbent will occasionally handle objects weighing over 23 kilograms
(50 pounds) while loading and unloading. Works outside and occasionally
is exposed to inclement weather conditions while participating in
outreach events. Incumbent will drive in all types of traffic and
weather and is exposed to the possibility of serious accidents.

**EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:**

  ----------- ---------------- ----------------------------------------------
  **Grade**   **Specialized    **Education Substitution (Transcript
              Experience**     Required)**

  **GS-5**    1 year           4-year course of study above high school
              equivalent to at leading to a bachelor\'s degree with courses
              least GS-4       related to the occupation may be substituted
                               for specialized experience

  **GS-6 and  1 year           Graduate education or an internship meets the
  above**     equivalent to at specialized experience required above GS-5
              least next lower *only* in those instances where it is directly
              grade level      related to the work of the position. One full
                               year of graduate education meets the
                               requirements for GS-7.
  ----------- ---------------- ----------------------------------------------

In addition, at the GS 5 Level, you must have had one year of
specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level of Federal
service. At the GS 6 Level, you must have had one year of specialized
experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level of Federal service. At
the GS 7 Level, you must have had one year of specialized experience
equivalent to at least the GS-6 level of Federal service. Specialized
experience is experience that equipped you with the particular
knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of
the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the
position to be filled. The best qualified candidate is defined as having
a high level of experience in dealing with combat veterans with post
traumatic stress disorder (or family members) in a specialized PTSD
program. Selection will be made from among the best-qualified
candidates.

**APPLICANT'S PLEASE NOTE:** Education must be accredited by an
accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly
positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants
must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by
accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:
<http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html> All education
claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency
accordingly.

**Note: Valid unrestricted driver's license is required.**

**QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE** - The required amount of experience will not
in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. Your
record of education and experience must clearly demonstrate that you
have the ability to perform the duties of the position. The primary
consideration is the quality and level of experience. Part time
experience will be prorated in calculating the amount of qualifying
experience.

**BASIS FOR RATING** - All relevant information available on each
candidate, i.e., application, supplemental qualifications statement,
appraisals, awards, rating panel, interview will be used to determine
the best qualified candidates.

**Time in Grade Requirement for current Federal Employees: For GS-7:**
Candidates must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in a position no
lower than GS-6. **For GS-6:** Candidates must have completed a minimum
of 52 weeks in a position no lower than GS-5. **For GS-5:** Candidates
must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in a position no lower than
GS-4. This rule may not apply to applicants applying under the Veterans
Readjustment Act or 30% disabled authorities. These candidates must
still meet all other qualification requirements.

**English Language Proficiency:** If you are appointed to a direct
patient-care position or position incident to direct patient care,
proficiency in spoken and written English is required in accordance with
38 USC 4105(c).

**Drug Testing:** This is a testing designated position (TDP) under the
VA Drug-Free Workplace Program. If you are tentatively selected for the
position and are not now in a TDP subject to random testing, you may be
subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to final
selection. Applicants who refuse to be tested will not be selected.

**Physical Requirements:** Selected candidate may be required to
successfully pass a medical examination.

**Background Investigation:** Appointment to this position is contingent
upon satisfactory completion of the required background investigation.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA's):** Please explain how your
experience (including non-paid), education, training, job related honors
and awards indicate you meet the rating factors. You will be evaluated
to determine if you met the minimum qualifications required; and on the
extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge,
skills, and abilities associated with this position as defined below.
Please be sure to give examples and explain how often you used these
skills, the complexity of the knowledge you possess, the level of the
people you interacted with, the sensitivity of the issues you handled,
etc.

1\. Knowledge of readjustment issues and reintegration dynamics specific
to combat veterans with special emphasis on the GWOT, OEF and OIF
Veterans.

2\. Knowledge of various vocational and educational benefits available
to Veterans.

3\. Ability to establish, develop, and maintain working relationships
with a network of service agencies and individuals in order to make
appropriate non-clinical referrals for Veteran-related services and
benefits.

4\. Ability to organize and participate in a myriad of community
activities and events that promote the Vet Center and VA benefits and
services.

5\. Ability to safely drive a motor coach and perform routine
preventative maintenance.

## 

**FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Clark, Human Resources at (315) 425-2446
or (315) 425-2476. Email: <Anne.Clark@va.gov> Fax: (315) 425-2447**

Applicants must submit [completed]{.underline} application package the
Human Resources Office by the closing date of the announcement in order
to receive consideration.

> **VA Medical Center,**
>
> **Human Resources (05)**
>
> **800 Irving Avenue**
>
> **Syracuse, NY 13210**

[**Current VA Permanent Employee Applicants** **must** **submit the
following**]{.underline}**:**

(1) A resume, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612),
    or any other written format you choose. Regardless of which format
    is chosen, you must include all of the information required (Refer
    to OF-510, "Applying for a Federal Job");

(2) Written response to the Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities questions on
    plain white bond paper;

(3) Current SF-50b, Notice of Personnel Action; (for current federal
    employees)

(4) Copy of college transcripts, if applicable \*;

(5) Copy of Driver's License

[**Status Candidates -- must** **submit the
following**]{.underline}**:**

(1) A resume, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612),
    or any other written format you choose. Regardless of which format
    is chosen, you must include all of the information required (Refer
    to OF-510, "Applying for a Federal Job");

(2) **OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment. ALL STATUS APPLICANTS
    (EVEN CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES) MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS
    FORM.**

(3) Written response to the Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities questions on
    plain white bond paper;

(4) Copy of most recent SF-50b -- Notice of Personnel Action (Current
    Federal Employees Only).

(5) Copy of college transcripts, if applicable \*;

(6) Copy of Driver's License;

(7) If you are claiming veterans\' preference, please provide a copy of
    your DD-214 (**We MUST have Member Copy #4 for July 1979 and later
    editions).** If you are claiming 10 point veterans\' preference,
    please submit the Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference
    (SF-15) with the required documentation. **Applicants who are
    claiming veterans preference and do not submit the proper DD-214
    will not be considered for veterans preference.**

\* If selected for this position, an Official College Transcript will be
required.

Forms may be obtained from the following web sites -
<http://www.opm.gov/forms/> &/or [http://www.va.gov/visns/visn02 Jobs at
VISN 2](http://www.va.gov/visns/visn02 Jobs at VISN 2).

**Veterans' Preference-** If you wish to claim 5-point veterans'
preference, you must submit the copy of your DD-214 that shows character
of discharge, or other official documents issued by the branch of
service that verify your eligibility for veterans\' preference. If you
wish to claim 10-point veterans' preference, you must include a copy of
your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
(DD-214), which shows character of service or type of discharge. You
must also include a completed SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans'
Preference, and a letter dated 1991 or later from the Department of
Veterans Affairs or a branch of the Armed Forces certifying your percent
of service-connected disability. If you need a copy of your DD-214 you
may request it at
[http://vetrecs.archives.gov](http://vetrecs.archives.gov/). More
information on veterans may be obtained at:
[www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm](http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm).

## CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) EMPLOYEES: (1) Must be a current VA employee identified as displaced or surplus serving on a career or career-conditional competitive appointment, or an excepted service appointment without a time limit. (2) The vacancy is at or below the grade level and with no greater promotion potential than the position from which you have or may be separated. (3) You are found to be well-qualified. To be considered well-qualified you must meet the minimum education, experience, suitability and physical requirements. You must also meet all selective factors, where applicable, and exceed the minimum qualifications of the position for all knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristic factors. (4) You must occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the position for which you are applying. Individuals seeking CTAP must submit a copy of their Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, or Certificate of Expected Separation; a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50B which shows tenure and position occupied; and a copy of our most recent performance rating of record. 

## 

## REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the servicing Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

**INTERVIEWS:** Any interviews that may be conducted for this position
will utilize the Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) process. Further
information is available at [www.va.gov/pbi](http://www.va.gov/pbi)

**EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:** Selection for this position will be
based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age,
gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual
orientation, marital or family status or other differences.