Social Worker Job at Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center (DOVA) in

Overview

The position is for a Social Worker at Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, IL and affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The incumbent works for the Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing Program within the Homeless Department of Mental Health and is responsible for monitoring all phases of programming and coordination of case management services for veterans receiving housing provided through HUD Section 8 housing vouchers.

Duties

• Reviews agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities and the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements.
• Performs site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes.
• Verifies the veteran’s status, eligibility for VA medical care, and eligibility of program participation. Oversees HUD-VASH case management, defined as the provision of services by VA clinical staff to homeless veterans and all activities to provide appropriate treatment and maintain veterans in HUD approved stable housing.
• Coordinates care, advocates for veterans to ensure comprehensive service delivery, and links or refers veterans to the VA Medical Center, VA Regional Offices and/or community agencies.
• Complies with criminal conflict of interest laws and Executive Branch Standards of conduct to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as the HUD-VASH Case Manager.
• Participates in HUD-VASH program conference calls and attends HUD-VASH training.
• Administers local policy and SOP for the HUD-VASH Program, including maintaining policies and documentation required for CARF and JCAHO accreditation.
• Participates in orientation/teaching of graduate social work/nursing students and other disciplines on the biopsychosocial aspects of homelessness.
• Engages in staff development projects, attending seminars and training programs, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to improve service delivery for HUD-VASH veterans.
• Conducts psychosocial assessments to determine the needs of veterans and family members, and participates in the treatment planning process with other disciplines.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited as per VA policy.
• Education. Master’s degree in social work from an accredited CSWE program. Doctoral degree may not substitute for the MSW.
• Licensure. Must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level.

Grade Determinations:

• Social Worker, GS-9 — Basic requirements plus KSAs including veteran-centric interventions, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, and knowledge of medical/mental health diagnoses.
• Social Worker, GS-11 — Requires one year of post-MSW experience at the GS-9 level (or doctoral degree in social work in lieu of one year experience) plus KSAs including community resource knowledge, independent psychosocial assessments and interventions, and ability to coordinate services.

Reference: For more information on qualification standards, visit the VA site.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used for qualification. Foreign education requires appropriate documentation.

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Proficiency in English.
• Background/security investigation required.
• Onboarding and acceptable identification per I-9 requirements.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/10/2025. To preview the questionnaire, visit the USA staffing link.

1. Click Apply Online to create or log in to your USAJOBS account, attach your resume and supporting documents, and complete the questionnaire.
2. Submit your answers to finalize the application package.

Agency contact: Jessica Thompson — 757-722-9961 X11553 — Jessica.Thompson@va.gov

Address: Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center, 3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064

Next steps

After submission, you will receive a confirmation by email. Applications are reviewed for qualification and eligibility, and referred applicants are notified by email. Status can be checked in USAJOBS.

Other information: This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Veterans’ Preference information is included in the application guidance.

Required documents

To apply, provide a complete application package including:

• Resume
• Transcript
• License

Additional documents may be requested as applicable (DD-214, SF-50, etc.).

Documentation for Veterans’ Preference and education accreditation as applicable.

Benefits

A federal career provides a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on position type and schedule.