West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is looking for Vocational Development Specialist who works as a Community Employment Coordinator for Homeless Veterans as a member of the Compensated Work Therapy/Vocational Rehabilitation (CWT/VR) Team, located in the Transitional Work Experience Program within the Social Work Service.
The Vocational Development Specialist is a central figure (liaison, advocate, technical advisor) responsible for the ongoing orientation and training of the Homeless Services continuum to connect Veterans to the most appropriate and least restrictive VA and/or community-based employment services.
They works with the Supervisory Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist in orchestrating clinical and administrative staff, within the Medical Center and without, into a cohesive platform with which homeless Veterans can obtain competitive employment with appropriate supports. The position has a direct impact on the local implementation of the National imperative to end Veteran homelessness, unemployment being a key barrier to permanent sustainable housing.
The position is vital in encouraging local stakeholders (e.g. VAMCs, VHA, VBA, State, and private employment entities etc.) to work together towards employing homeless Veterans while reducing redundancies in services. In this role the Vocational Development Specialist provides vocational rehabilitation services to veterans who are eligible to receive services through the medical center.
In this role, will also provide coverage for the Transitional Work Experience (TWE), Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment, and Supported Employment (SE) staff in their absence as necessary. All Recovery Program services are based on a philosophy that recovery is possible. Our mission is to nurture hope in veterans and assist them on their Recovery journey.
A goal that we have for all veterans is that they are able to live, learn, work, and develop social relations within their local community. Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To: Provides information, pre-employment assessment and workforce re-entry planning services, linkage, and coordination for VA and non-VA services, and community-based follow-up services to integrate Veterans into the community through competitive employment.
Expected to establish respectful, effective relationships with Veterans and with the clinical and administrative staff from a range of institutions and agencies, including community employers. Provides guidance and training to all homeless programs and staff across the West Palm Beach VAMC on resources that enhance and result in competitive employment outcomes for Veterans, in particular those who are homeless or have other barriers to employment.
Works with local staff in developing templates for concise, individualized Veteran centered assessments to determine the needed intensity level of employment services and supports for homeless Veterans. Serves as a liaison to local community providers of employment placement and support services for homeless Veterans.
Leads efforts to establish a local employment collaborative which includes VA and non-VA members and community-based employers, and documents access points, requirements for participation and points of contact as indicated. Develops employment opportunities for homeless Veterans both directly through community-based job development and indirectly by leveraging the expertise of the employment collaborative.
Ensures that through the collaborative, competitive employment resources of varying levels of intensity are currently available for homeless and chronically homeless Veterans both at the medical center and in the community. Coordinates with homeless, CWT and community program managers on rapid access and placement strategies for Veterans that reduce barriers to employment and identify appropriate supports to sustain outcomes.
Conducts bi-monthly conference calls with all the members (VA and non- VA) of the local employment collaborative serving Veterans and resolves access barriers to rapid job placement. Monitors performance and progress through review (at least quarterly) of cases referred to the members of the collaborative to ensure that Veterans are receiving services leading to competitive employment and appropriate follow-up supports.
Provides feedback to the homeless program staff and West Palm Beach VAMC leadership on system resources, strengths, accomplishments, challenges, and recommended corrective actions on a quarterly basis. Develops and maintains a database on referral and placement outcomes and provide feedback to the collaborative members as well as national homeless leadership.
Serves as an advocate on behalf of Veterans with members of the employment collaborative and community employers, when appropriate to ensure comprehensive service delivery resulting on competitive employment. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Vocational Development Specialist/PD027290 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.
Kathryn.Miller1@va.gov · 1-407-631-8452
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $79533 – $103399/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-21.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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