The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is a twenty seven-bed residential facility located at the Menlo Park Division of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The WBRC provides supports and services annually to Veterans and active duty service members who are visually impaired. The WBRC embraces an inter-disciplinary approach to the treatment of visual impairment so that program participants receive the full complement of services. 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. Certification: Must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation. ACVREP grants the following certifications: (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®). Education: Must have earned: (a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, closely related program in rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, or technology and industrial arts education. OR (b) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation that included at least one of the following: At least 30 semester hours of directly related, upper level undergraduate courses (e.g., at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university). One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours). A certificate from an accredited college or university in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree. Foreign Graduates must have proof of a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in blind rehabilitation. 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). 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: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. 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. 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. 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: 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. Examples include but are not limited to: serving as a consultant to blind/low vision rehabilitation and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating Veterans in the specialty area; serving as a mentor to other therapists who are evaluating and treating Veterans in the content specialty or program area; serving as internship supervisor to students who are completing their supervised practice; and providing in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area. Certification. Must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix 41 dated May 13, 2019. APPENDIX G41. BLIND REHABILITATION SPECIALIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0601. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires occasional bending; reaching above the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities ["Duties for the Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Visual Skills Supervisor) include, but are not limited to the following:\n1. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are communicated through the employee performance management system. Incumbent must tailor supervision and patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. This includes the responsibility for overseeing the assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. This work involves overseeing the evaluation and needs assessment, capabilities and limitations, goals and development of a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease.\n2. Responsible for managing the weekly/daily staff teaching schedule and patient assignments for the department.\n3. Identifies developmental and training needs for instructors and provides provisions for appropriate training. The incumbent assigns departmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of these duties.\n4. Plans, and coordinates the orientation and training programs for new employees and clinical trainees under his/her supervision.\n5. Schedules regular departmental meetings for sharing of information.\n6. Coordinates annual leave and authorized absence for this section to ensure adequate patient coverage and approve/disapprove leave requests.\n7. Responsible for providing coverage of veterans' treatment programs in the absence of their regularly assigned blind rehabilitation specialists (not to exceed 50 percent of the work hours).\n8. Performs the following: Gives oral and or written guidance on new assignments, gives advise, counsel or instruction on technical and administrative matters. Resolves employee complaints, and refers group grievances to higher level. Works with Human Resources on disciplinary actions, such as warning and reprimands, recommending higher actions to upper level management. Develops performance standards, position descriptions, and other HR related paperwork or requests.\n9. Responsible for ensuring that staff members submit all required progress notes, reports and summaries in a timely fashion. The incumbent reviews all final reports for completeness and accuracy.\n10. Responsible for conducting periodic evaluation of instructional plans developed by instructors for veterans assigned to them for training, thus ensuring consistency in curriculum, teaching methodology and quality of instruction.\n11. The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for maintaining the program guidelines, lesson plans and manuals which serve as the method of prescriptive training to be used by other instructors working with patients in the department. The incumbent coordinates and maintains a comprehensive cross-training curriculum for training the staff from other skill areas.\n12. Educates visitors and family members about their respective program and how this fit into the general Blind Rehabilitation program.\n13. The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for the safety and maintenance of the offices and therapy area in the skill area.\n14. Responsible for the maintenance of supplies and equipment essential in the administration of Veteran training programs and regular functions of the department. The incumbent is responsible to ensure that supplies and equipment for the section is ordered in a timely manner and that adequate levels are maintained.\n15. Researches and evaluates new devices and training techniques.\n16. Responsible for the development and coordination of research programs as a subject matter expert (SME) in blind rehabilitation and for developing and implementing new therapy approaches.\n17. Interview candidates for vacancies within the Section and make recommendations for appointment, promotion or reassignment.\n18. Responsible for recognizing and resolving program issues on an ongoing basis, monitors and maintains program requirements for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards and quality improvement activities as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30AM - 4:00PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\n.Position Title/Functional Statement #:Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Supervisory (Visual Skills Supervisor)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]