Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

• 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.
• 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 drivers licenses or state-issued identification 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Applicants who are still completing required education or certifications may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot 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:

A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a major in blind or vision rehabilitation or a closely related field.

OR

A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in any major supplemented by one of the following:

i. At least 30 semester hours of directly related upper-level coursework.
ii. One full year of directly related graduate coursework.
iii. A certificate in orientation and mobility vision rehabilitation therapy assistive technology for individuals who are blind/visually impaired or low vision therapy plus a related practicum or internship.
iv. For foreign graduates: proof of an equivalent bachelors degree with a specialization in blind rehabilitation.

• Certification: Required at the GS-11 grade level and above

(1) Applicants must possess at least one active current full and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. Certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) or another equivalent closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation.

NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy Orientation and Mobility Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below:

(2) BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP
as follows:
(a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists
(COMS).
(b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
(CVRT).
(c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT).
(d) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists
(CATIS).
(3) BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS-13 grade level must possess two certifications
awarded by ACVREP.
(4) BRS VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds and from counseling backgrounds such as social work vocational rehabilitation counseling etc. VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through:
(a) Any certification via the ACVREP
OR
(b) Individuals appointed based on experience as a Social Worker must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the masters degree level. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the masters degree in social work. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator Social Workers are appointed to the GS-0601 series but must still maintain a full valid and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment
OR
(c) Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
OR
(d) Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator such individuals are appointed to the GS-0601 series but must still maintain their full valid and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment. Examples of occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

• Loss of Credential

(1) Once certified a BRS must maintain a full valid and unrestricted independent certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of certification will result in removal from the BRS occupation and may result in termination of employment.
(2) A BRS who has or has ever had his/her certification revoked suspended denied restricted limited or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005 Part II Chapter 3 Section B Paragraph 16.
(3) If hired based on experience as a social worker rehabilitation counselor or equivalent relevant professional counseling credential in rehabilitation the VIST Coordinator must still maintain a full valid and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment.

• Grandfathering Provision. All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it the following provisions apply:

(1) Such employees may be reassigned promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification(s) that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required equivalent credential(s) as a
condition of employment in the occupation.
(4) If a BRS who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:
Supervisory BRS GS-12

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

Certification. BRS must meet the certification requirements mentioned above.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to plan direct mentor and distribute work assignments to volunteers assistants interns and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels.
(b) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating Veterans in specialty or program areas.
(c) Ability to coordinate motivate and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work setting priorities and delegating tasks and responsibilities.
(d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor.
(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with Veterans employees other team leaders managers and other stakeholders.
(f) Ability to identify team group dynamics objectively observe and modify behaviors.
(g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis develop short term and long-range goals and plan for future utilization of resources.
(h) Skill in developing planning and administering complex treatment programs. VA Handbook

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12 .

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.