Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder)

Major duties of this Crisis Responder position include, but are not limited to, the following: Implements suicide/mental health crisis prevention strategies; Conducts interviews and utilizes assessments tools to assess emotional, functional, and/or psychological conditions; Assists Veterans and their family/friend/significant other with issues regarding the Veterans' mental health issues, referrals, benefits, support groups; Provides psycho-education and directs advice regarding suicide/mental illness crisis; Provides support for the identification of veterans at high risk, and coordinates enhanced care; Completes structured diagnostic and clinical assessments; Keeping a caller, texter, or chatter engaged while multi-tasking to document work, look up resources, and instant message for assistance when needed; Prepares and maintains records and reports in accordance with program guidelines; Works collaboratively with other members of the VA Crisis Hotline Program to identify appropriate services for Veterans in crisis; Makes outgoing calls to Veterans if a Veteran has sent an email or letter to the White House, or some other government agency. If selected for the position, the Veterans Crisis Line has a comprehensive training that you will attend during your first weeks. As a new employee you will be expected to successfully complete all parts of the training, to include completing a final competency assessment with a score of 80% or higher. Failure to attain a passing score on the cumulative competency assessment may result in a determination that you are not qualified to progress in your employment with the Veterans Crisis Line. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process that will be directed from the VCL Onboarding Team and the Staffing Onboarding Team. This will include pre-employment tasks to be completed prior to final job offer. Work Schedule: The VCL operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Work schedules are designed to ensure continuous coverage and may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays to support the VCL mission and operational needs. Newly hired Crisis Responders are required to work any assigned shift during their training period, which may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. After successfully completing all training requirements and being cleared to work independently, Crisis Responders will remain on their assigned training shift until the next VCL tour process assigns new tours. The tour process allows all Crisis Responders to request permanent shifts based on internal seniority. However, staffing and operational needs of the VCL will take priority in all scheduling decisions. Compressed/Flexible Work Schedule: Not available This is a remote position. Selectees will work 100% of the time in a non-VA-owned space outside of the local commuting area of a parent station. The employee's workspace must be suitable for conducting business and as such, remote employees are expected to provide a secure, distraction-free home-based worksite with reliable high speed internet connectivity. The employee will be required to travel to the closest VA Medical Center or VA Outpatient Clinic for issuance of equipment, and as needed for technical support. Selectees will be required to self-certify that their remote workplace meets all safety, privacy, and internet speed requirements. Selectees are responsible for providing their own physical equipment like desks, chairs, lamps, etc. Functional Statement #: 07742A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a bargaining unit position The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is aware of the inherent risks involved in managing callers who frequently contact VCL and may exhibit inappropriate or abusive behaviors. Crisis Responders will be expected to manage stressful interactions with callers while maintaining a high level of professionalism and emotional resilience. VCL utilizes standard operating procedures and best practices /interventions to identify patterns of abusive behavior to ensure the well-being and safety of the customer and VCL staff are encouraged through supportive measures.