[nfbwatlk] TCf Internship

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 TITLE 38 VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
PUGET SOUND HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
SEATTLE/AMERICAN LAKE

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT #38-08-166

OPENS: 05/05/08
CLOSES: 05/16/08

POSITION TITLE:  Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
SHIFT: Full-Time
			(Internship/TCF, Orientation & Mobility)

	

SERIES & GRADE:  GS-0601-7/9

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: GS-11	

PAY: GS-7:  $38,959 - $50,642 per annum
          GS-9:   $47,655 - $61,956 per annum           
          GS-11: $57,657 - $74,955 per annum            
          
OPPORTUNITIES:  One
	    
AREA OF CONSIDERATION:  United States citizens and nationals

LOCATION:  VA Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake, Blind
Rehabilitation Center, 9600 Veterans Drive, Tacoma WA 98493 

Notes:  

1.  A pre-employment physical examination is required. 

2.  Relocation expenses are not authorized.

THIS IS A BARGAINING UNIT POSITION

MAJOR DUTIES:  The VA Puget Sound health Care System is offering 1 full-time
competitive pay internship, technical career field (TCF) for professionals
with at least a bachelor’s degree in an allied health field related to
blind/vision rehabilitation.  The intern will participate in a 2-year formal
training and development program designed to provide them with key skills
and competencies to progress to more responsible and higher paying position.
The American Lake, Tacoma Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System
is located in the suburban American Lake area of Tacoma Washington.

The intern who successfully completes the training will be eligible to apply
for full-time permanent positions in the VHA Blind Rehabilitation or may be
placed non-competitively in a position.  Opportunities are available
following the internship to pursue VA Careers through advancement to
specialized practice and management positions.

Work will include: 
Assessment and development of personal goal-based training programs for
persons with visual impairment who are teenaged to elderly veterans.

Implementation of the training programs to help veterans achieve their
goals.

Coordination of the veterans’ overall blind rehabilitation experiences for
successful completion.

Requirements:

Eligibility for hire by United States of America Government
Minimum of Bachelors degree - in an allied health field related to
blind/vision rehabilitation.
Basic Qualifications:
Minimum of Bachelors degree - in an allied health field related to
blind/vision rehabilitation.
All eligibility and qualifications requirements must be completed at the end
of the academic school year.  
All grade levels must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited education
institution.
GS-7 – 1 year of graduate level of education OR superior academic
achievement OR one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next
lower grade in Federal service.
GS-9 – Masters or equivalent graduate degree OR two full years of
progressively higher level graduate education leading to such degree OR
LLB.B. Or J.D., if related; OR one year of specialized experience equivalent
to the next lower grade level in Federal service.
Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and
experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-7
and GS-9 levels only.
To qualify based on education, submit copy of transcript or list of courses
with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.
Application materials will not be returned. Submit proof of your education
with a transcript or list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade
point average or class ranking. We will be unable to return these to you.
You can receive credit for education received outside the United States if
you provide evidence that it is comparable to an accredited educational
institution in the United States when you apply.
You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation
before you can be appointed into this position.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
You will be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a
structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you
should be sure to site specific examples of experience, explain exactly what
you did, and the outcome.
Additional Internship Benefits
During the 2-year training period the internship also provides (in
additional to salary):
*  $5000.00 per year for training and textbooks.
*  $5000.00 per year for travel and lodging to attend blind rehabilitation
conferences and meetings.
*  Funds for relocation at the conclusion of the program if the intern is
placed at a facility other than the training site.
Upon successful completion of the program, interns will be invited to apply
for one of the many positions in blind rehabilitation nationwide and will be
converted to career-conditional or career appointments.
Other Information:
When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and
is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected.
Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at
a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher
level, and administrative approval. 
Upon successful completion of the two-year program, you may be placed
non-competitively in a VHA position.  Applicants must be willing to sign a
mobility agreement.
A two-year training experience that will prepare you to work for VHA in the
field of Blind Rehabilitation Specialist.
How to Apply:  The forms required to apply for this position are:
OF-612, Application for Federal Employment       OR
Résumé which MUST provide all the information listed in the OPM Flyer
OF-510, Applying for a Federal Job;
OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment
College Transcripts
DD-214, Military Discharge Documentation (If applicable and/or claiming
veterans preference)
SF-15, Application for 10-point Veteran Preference  (You must submit this
form and the required documentation specified on the reverse side of the of
SF-15 if you are claiming 10-point preference)
Application materials are available on the following website:
http://www.opm.gov/forms
Or you may contact HRMS at (206) 764-3589
Human Resources Management Service, 1660 S. Columbian Way (S-005), Seattle
WA 98108
- or -
Mail Application Package To:   
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Human Resources Management Service (S-005A)
1660 S. Columbian Way
Seattle WA 98108
Attn: James Hazlett

**All application materials must be received or postmarked by May 28, 2008
This office does NOT accept application materials electronically.  You must
apply either in person or by mail.
 Questions may be directed to James Hazlett, HR Specialist, at 206-764-2927
or James.Hazlett at va.gov or Donald Felthouse Training Supervisor, American
Lake Blind Rehabilitation Center, 253 583-1221 Donald.felthouse at va.gov. 
.

 
METHOD FOR FILING:  The position may be filled by any method specified by
regulation.

REMINDERS: (1) Selection for a position with known promotion potential does
not guarantee promotion to the target grade (or intervening grade, if
applicable).  All legal and regulatory requirements must be met for
promotion. Further, subsequent promotion to the next higher grade is
dependent upon demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, and
the availability of enough work at the higher level to support the target
position.  (2) For direct patient care positions, applicants must possess
basic proficiency in spoken and written English.  (3) Performance Based
Interviewing (PBI) may be conducted as part of the selection process.
Applicants may visit www.va.gov/pbi/pbi2.htm in preparation for an
interview.  (4) 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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: This position will be filled without regard to age, race,
creed, color, religion, or national origin.

THE FILLING OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS SUBJECT TO ALL LAWS, RULES, AND
REGULATIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT SUCH REQUIREMENT IS SPECIFICALLY
STATED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT.