VA Portland Health Care System (DOVA) is hiring: Social Worker in Vancouver

Overview

The HUD-VASH Social Worker provides direct care to Veterans experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the community, in their homes, and in shelter environments. Incumbent provides intensive case management services and implements psychosocial treatment modalities to patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and socioeconomic problems. Incumbent assists Veteran in procuring necessary documents to support application for HUD Section 8 program, housing, and identified resources to support community integration.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker provides case management services to support Veterans with housing stability and community integration, including supporting understanding of tenancy rights and responsibilities, HUD policies and expectations, budgeting, attaining, and maintaining sobriety, harm reduction strategies, and other opportunities to ensure Veterans can maintain stable housing.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker uses evidence-based treatment modalities that are effective with homeless population including motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, trauma informed care, harm reduction, and holistic whole health approaches to care. Incumbent is expected to utilize knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, common medication effects and medical terminology to aid in the care of enrolled Veterans.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker completes comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments assessing the psychological functioning and needs of Veteran households to formulate and implement client-centered treatment plans, using SMART interventions, including Veteran identified strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences; monitoring and updating progress over the course of treatment, meeting Joint Commission and CARF standards. Incumbent updates treatment plans as determined by service policy and when clinically indicated, collaborating across teams and services.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker establishes and maintains effective professional working relationships with internal and external partners, including Veteran clients, VA colleagues, and representatives of community agencies.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker documents all work in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) within the time frames expected by the Mental Health Division and the VA Portland Health Care System. Incumbent ensures information in the HOMES database is maintained, providing timely updates to case management stage and other relevant information as detailed in the VHA Directive 1162.05(1), making improvements and adjustments as needed to ensure Medical Center performance is met or exceeded.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker participates with other treatment team members in weekly team meetings, community meetings, family conferences, and other endeavors to support housing stability. Incumbent collaborates with the Enhanced multidisciplinary Team to support community re-integration and prevent relapse into homelessness.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker functions as an advocate for Veterans within the medical system and community to support housing stability and wellness, linking to services based on eligibility. Incumbent assists Veterans in determining eligibility, resource brokerage, and collaboration with community and VA providers, including applying for non-service-connected pension, service-connected compensation, mainstream entitlement benefits such as Social Security and state and county benefits including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), supporting self-advocacy, and fostering independence when appropriate.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker works with vulnerable Veterans with underlying chronic medical or mental health conditions that substantially impact Veterans life expectancy and or ability to function. Incumbent works with appropriate community agencies to support in-home services, placement in supportive living environment, or other appropriate housing to meet the Veteran’s needs.

The HUD-VASH Social Worker is responsible for assisting Veterans seeking housing, including outreaching to local shelter(s), collaborating with community agencies, or working with established VA providers. Outreach may include street outreach, walk-in clinics, covering homeless consults, supporting discharge planning, and taking referrals from community agencies. Incumbent is expected to serve homeless program participants using a no wrong door philosophy and will proactively provide linkages as needed.

Work Schedule : 0800-1630

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 trial period.
• 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued dentification 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).

Qualifications

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: Have a master’s degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A doctoral degree may not be substituted. Verification via CSWE.
• L icensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. See state requirements.
• Exception: VHA may waive licensure for GS-9; for GS-11 and above, licensure is required. See VA qualification standards for details.
• Additional notes on licensure requirements, supervision, and state variations are described in the original job content.

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 Determinations :

• Social Worker, GS-9
• Experience, Education, and Licensure: None beyond basic requirements.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
• (a) Counseling skills with Veterans and families
• (b) Psychosocial assessments and treatment planning
• (c) Treatment modalities with individuals, families, and groups
• (d) Interpersonal relationships and communication
• (e) Medical/mental health knowledge and terminology

Social Worker, GS-11: Experience and Licensure: Minimum one year post-MSW experience and independent practice licensure/certification; Education: a doctoral degree may substitute for one year of experience; KSAs include knowledge of community resources, conducting psychosocial assessments, knowledge of medical/mental health information, capability to implement treatment modalities, and providing consultations.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Qualification Standards.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade is GS-9 to GS-11.

Education

Note: Education must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting institution. If using foreign education, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Benefits and other information

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and work schedule. See agency for specifics.

Required documents

Required documents for applying include:

• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note: Use the standard Clinical Resume Document when prompted. The full resume may be uploaded in the Other documents field. Also include Cover Letter, License, SF-50, Transcript as applicable.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. Complete the questionnaire and submit documentation by 10/14/2025. Preview the questionnaire at the provided link (text only).

1. Click Apply Online to create or access your USAJOBS account; select documents and complete the questionnaire.
2. Submit your answers to finalize the application package.

Agency contact information Trevor Potter, Portland, OR. (Phone and email not included in this refined description.)