Advance Your Career: Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor at the VA

Are you a seasoned professional looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who served our nation? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently hiring a Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Regional Office. This is a unique opportunity to combine your leadership expertise with a deep commitment to the "I CARE" mission—Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.

Job Responsibilities

The Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor position is multi-faceted, requiring a blend of clinical insight and administrative authority. Key duties include:

Leadership & Supervision: Managing a professional staff, setting performance goals, and resolving workplace conflicts.
Program Oversight: Ensuring strict adherence to laws, regulations, and procedures governing Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) programs.
Decision Making: Making legally binding entitlement decisions, managing complex high-cost cases, and overseeing financial resources like the VISA Purchase card program.
Strategic Coordination: Collaborating with other divisions, agencies, and rehabilitation facilities to ensure efficient operations.

Requirements

To be considered for this GS-14 level role, candidates must meet specific criteria:

Requirement Type	Criteria
Citizenship	Must be a U.S. Citizen
Federal Status	Must be a current GS employee with 52 weeks at GS-13
Education	Behavioral/Social Science degree or equivalent experience
Experience	One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13
Security	Must pass Public Trust-High Risk investigation

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $143,677 to $186,785 per year, commensurate with federal pay scales. In addition to a stable income, you will have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package, including:

Federal health insurance plans.
Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with matching potential.
Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays.

Application Tips

Applying for a federal position requires meticulous attention to detail. With the new two-page resume limit, it is crucial that you:

Use the USAJobs resume builder to ensure your format is compliant.
Quantify your achievements and focus on results rather than generic job duties.
Ensure your start/end dates and federal grade levels are explicitly stated.
Upload your resume as a PDF to maintain the formatting and page limit.

If you are a leader ready to advocate for Veterans in a dynamic office environment, this role at the San Diego VA Regional Office offers unparalleled growth. Apply by the closing date to be considered for this impactful position.

Why This Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor Job Matters

Lead the future of Veteran support in sunny San Diego as a Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor with the VA.

Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a dedicated leader for a Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor position within the San Diego Veterans Affairs Regional Office. This role is pivotal in guiding the professional lives of Veterans by overseeing complex rehabilitation programs, ensuring staff excellence, and managing critical program resources. You will be at the forefront of the 'I CARE' mission, helping those who have served our nation transition successfully into the workforce through compassionate, expert, and legally compliant vocational guidance.

Requirements for Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor

U.S. Citizenship
Must be a current Federal GS employee with 52 weeks of service at the GS-13 level to meet time-in-grade requirements
Degree in behavioral or social science (or related discipline), or equivalent combination of education and experience
One year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level or higher in vocational rehabilitation or counseling psychology
Demonstrated ability to manage cases for individuals with disabilities and lead professional staff
Must pass a Public Trust-High Risk background investigation
Must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period if not previously completed
Registration with Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959

Preferred Qualifications for Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor

Expert knowledge of laws, regulations, and procedures governing Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) programs
Proven experience in resolving complex personnel and administrative issues
Strong ability to direct and supervise multi-functional teams in a fast-paced environment
Expertise in interpreting complex policies and reconciling divergent opinions within a federal framework
Demonstrated skill in overseeing high-cost programs and sensitive case management

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance programs
✓Generous retirement plans including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching contributions
✓Paid federal holidays, vacation, and sick leave
✓Flexible spending accounts and life insurance options
✓Opportunities for professional development and leadership training within the VA network

💡 How to Apply Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Supervisory Vocational Rehab Counselor Job

Review the full announcement on USAJobs to ensure eligibility
Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less
Gather all required documentation, including unofficial transcripts and your most recent non-award SF-50
Submit your application through the official portal before the closing date
Complete any required USA Hire assessments if notified via email
Monitor your status through the USAJobs dashboard

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume specifies start and end dates (month/year) for every position to receive credit
If you are a federal employee, explicitly list your GS grade level for relevant past positions
Use a clean, sans-serif font like Lato or Arial to maintain readability within the two-page limit
Prioritize recent and highly relevant experience over outdated or unrelated roles
Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting and page count limits

Frequently Asked Questions

Is remote work an option for this position?

No, this is not a virtual position. While situational or ad hoc telework may be approved on a case-by-case basis by your supervisor, this role requires reporting to the San Diego office on a regular basis.

How strict is the two-page resume requirement?

Extremely strict. As of September 2025, federal agencies require resumes to be no longer than two pages to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes exceeding this limit will result in ineligibility.

Do I need to submit an official transcript immediately?

You may submit unofficial transcripts during the initial application. However, you will be required to provide official documentation if you are selected for the position.

Is there a probationary period?

*A: Yes, you must serve a one-year probationary period upon appointment.*

What is the work schedule?

*A: This is a full-time, Monday-Friday position, typically 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.*

Job from Veterans Benefits Administration

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) serves as the backbone of support for Veterans, their families, and survivors. As part of the San Diego Regional Office, you will be joining a network of dedicated professionals providing essential advice and procurement of benefits. Working here means being part of a culture that values service and is dedicated to fulfilling President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our military.