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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a HOUSING ASSISTANT Near Oakland, CA

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/30/2024.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-06) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: ability to use computers (to include word processing software and office automation functions); skill in communicating and dealing effectively with populations that may suffer from disabling physical and/or emotional conditions; skill in teaching and engaging problem solving and conflict resolution strategies; and ability to use resources, benefits, and administrative procedures to find affordable housing.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Computer Skills
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Interpersonal Skills
• Veteran and Customer Focus

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The position may entail possible lifting of no more than 25 pounds of move-in kits on an as-needed basis, but whenever possible, dollies and carts will be utilized as an alternative to lifting. Possession of a valid driver's license and operation of a GSA vehicle is required for the incumbent to travel within the catchment area in the community to assist the Veteran in securing housing. Also, the physical demands include walking, observing and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, active listening, reading, speaking, writing clinical notes in CPRS, using office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, and copy machines.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Responsibilities:

The Housing Assistant role for the incumbent is to be an active member of the HUD-VASH program working closely with the HUD-VASH team within the SFVA catchment area. The incumbent also works with the VA Health Care System's multidisciplinary team to provide appropriate coordination to better serve Veterans' needs. Moreover, the incumbent collaborates with community agencies to provide housing resources to obtain and maintain permanent housing, such as security deposit and back rent assistance. The continuous joint effort with community agencies that the incumbent initiates and fosters, will increase the development of effective and efficient ways of providing housing services to HUD-VASH Veterans.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as a housing resource for the HUD-VASH program in connecting with new and existing landlords to assist Veterans in securing housing for all counties (San Francisco, San Bruno, Marin, Santa Rosa, Ukiah, Clearlake and Napa) participating in the HUD-VASH program.
• Provides assistance with running the vouchering group in collaboration with Public Housing Agency (PHA) staff, understands the process of rental and utility assistance programs, locating suitable permanent housing while maintaining an inventory of safe available units, continually communicating with landlords to build rapport and assistance, and conducting outreach to prospective landlord/property management agencies on behalf of a HUD-VASH Veteran.
• Assist HUD-VASH Veterans in obtaining appropriate verification documents needed to complete PHA packet for voucher (CA ID, VA ID, DD214, social security card, current proof of income for SSA, SSI, SSDI, GA, or Food Stamps).
• Provide education to individuals and organizations on behalf of HUD-VASH Veterans as well as explaining the role of the HUD-VASH Social Worker in helping to promote housing stability for program participants.
• Assist in maintaining accurate data reporting (i.e. Project Based Housing availabilities and exits), inventory collection and upkeep on housing developments and landlords/property management agencies, property E-9 form for rental assistance, and HUD-VASH Veterans who return their HUD-VASH vouchers.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: HOUSING ASSISTANT/PD00929A
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Announcement: Driver's License Requirement:
Must possess a valid Driver's License to operate a motor vehicle. (Please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. You will be required to show your valid commercial driver's license at the time of your interview.)

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 30, 2024

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 3, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Job Summary