What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, DC Service Office position at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)?
Nature Of Work
Manage the daily activities of the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC, National Capital Regional Benefits Office (NCRBO). Lead the NCRBO staff in providing professional veterans representation for fulfillment of federal government entitlements. Performs as a liaison with federal agencies and assists the VFW National Veterans Service staff and accredited VFW service officers in policy matters pertaining to veterans’ entitlements, benefits, and appeals. Coordinates and conducts outreach events in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Supervises and trains assigned National Service Office staff to ensure professionalism and proficiency. Support the VFW’s training strategy for service officer development by acting as an instructor at training conferences as required. Assist veterans in the preparation, development, submission, and review of ratings on claims for veterans’ entitlements and benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs by reviewing veterans’ claims folders, developing issues for use in the appellate process, and counseling veterans on government benefits and entitlements.
Typical Duties And Responsibilities
Supervises the VFW staff of the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC National Capital Regional Benefits Office (NCRBO) in the performance of their daily responsibilities, including assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and submitting required reports to the Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, or their designee. Supervises the daily office procedures employing electronic case management and automation software applications required by the Director, National Veterans Service, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Maintains liaison with federal and state agencies concerning veterans’ entitlements and benefits. Provides advice and technical assistance to VFW National Veterans Service staff and accredited service officers in policy matters pertaining to those programs as they affect the mission. Regularly attends meetings of both national and state government agencies.
Develops, coordinates, implements, and maintains an internal training program for the VFW staff at the NCRBO, including Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of claims (TRIP) program.
Processes inquiries from the veterans’ community concerning veterans’ benefits. Ensures that the appropriate forms are accurately and timely submitted. Monitors claim progression, and reviews rating decisions to determine appropriate courses of action to resolve unfavorable decisions.
Researches and develops initial appeals through coordination, outside agencies, and expert witnesses. Prepares statements on behalf of the veteran’s claim or appeal, including development and submission of any previously unconsidered evidence. Prepares and submits reviewed claims for Higher Level Review (HLR), Supplemental Claims (SC) or appeals directly to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Assists the veteran in obtaining medical opinions from attending physicians and other health care professionals if necessary and germane to the benefits claimed.
Implements and conducts the VFW’s veterans’ outreach programs to veterans facilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan areas.
Reviews, incorporates, and trains staff on statutes, regulations, and government directives to ensure that veterans’ interests are articulated in accordance with VFW national mandates and the National Veterans Service Policy and Procedure. Attends meetings with the requirement to articulate VFW policies concerning the veterans’ entitlements program.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required
Position does not require VFW membership eligibility.
Position requires a Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of three years directly related work experience.
Advanced human relations and management skills are required. This position requires knowledge of specific subjects to make the incumbent a subject matter expert in veterans’ affairs programs. This typically includes public speaking on a particular subject, and the incumbent may frequently be called upon for views on special veterans’ issues. Erudite knowledge and understanding are required of Title 38 United States Code, Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations, and other government statutes, regulations, directives, and publications, and when conducting interviews and completing veterans’ affairs forms.
Position requires advanced knowledge of office equipment, particularly computers, to include software applications (i.e., TVB or other case management system, MS Office, VBMS, virtual teleconferencing software, and other VFW and VA provided applications), electronic case management techniques, and other electronic applications used in a fully automated office.
Position requires ability to manage remote work from a safe and secure telework environment in accordance with a client-facing office's business needs.
Position requires VFW accreditation with the Department of Veterans Affairs and successful completion of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of claims (TRIP) test. Incumbent will, from time to time, be required to attend required NVS training and to take recertification tests to monitor their proficiency in the laws pertaining to veterans’ benefits.
Scope Of Position
Position is FLSA exempt.
Position is under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director for Training, VFW National Veterans Service and has supervisory responsibility for all staff stationed in the VFW service office at the Washington, DC National Capital Region Benefits Office (NCRBO). Typical decisions include determining staff priorities and assigning office duties.
Incumbent assigns work priorities and reviews results. Recommends hiring, disciplinary actions, promotions, and prepares performance appraisals. Incumbent makes decisions that can impact beyond the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC National Capital Region Benefits Office.
Conducts and supervises on site classroom and/or one-on-one training for all National Service Office staff and as necessary, coordinates any required classroom training conducted by the NVS Assistant Director for Training, especially in subject matters that will enhance the professional knowledge and proficiency of the staff. This includes possible participation in the development and implementation of the VFW’s Training Strategy for the National Veterans Service and acting as an instructor in various training conferences in implementation of that strategy if requested.
Essential problem solving includes determining the proper application of laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to veterans’ entitlements and coordinating internal and external staff resources to solve issues in the best interest of the veteran, their family, or survivors.
Contacts are with members of the veterans’ community, the VFW National Veterans Service staff, VFW Department Service Officers, representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies through written and oral communications.
Ensures proper records concerning monthly activities are maintained to render timely and accurate reports to the Deputy Director, NVS and Director, NVS.
Incumbent may be required to participate in the development of the National Veterans Service annual budget.
Working Conditions
Position functions in a normal office environment approximately 85% of the time. Domestic and local travel is required approximately 15% of the time to participate in meetings, training programs, and veteran affairs hearings. Limited telework may be available.
Major Accountabilities
Ensures the efficient and professional operation of the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC National Capital Region Benefits Office.
Ensures veteran community inquiries are adequately reviewed and processed, appropriate documentation is accurately completed, and the claim and/or appeal forwarded to the applicable agency in a timely manner in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs and NVS Policy and Procedure.
Ensures that veterans’ community members are counseled about their rights and entitlements and are represented in a courteous, caring, and professional manner.
Ensures veterans claims issues are properly documented, researched, and developed prior to submission to the applicable federal agency and that the veteran is adequately represented in the appellate process.
Implements an outreach program to veterans in the Washington, DC metropolitan areas.
Performs as an instructor at National Veterans Service training conferences and seminars if requested to do so.
Processes and assigns to the staff VFW Tactical Assessment Center/Team Support, incident reports, including interaction with the inquirer. Provides guidance in the completion of all actions associated with each incident report.
The above duties are general in nature and are not intended to reflect all of the duties which may be required of the incumbent.
Manage the daily activities of the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC, National Capital Regional Benefits Office (NCRBO). Lead the NCRBO staff in providing professional veterans representation for fulfillment of federal government entitlements. Performs as a liaison with federal agencies and assists the VFW National Veterans Service staff and accredited VFW service officers in policy matters pertaining to veterans’ entitlements, benefits, and appeals. Coordinates and conducts outreach events in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Supervises and trains assigned National Service Office staff to ensure professionalism and proficiency. Support the VFW’s training strategy for service officer development by acting as an instructor at training conferences as required. Assist veterans in the preparation, development, submission, and review of ratings on claims for veterans’ entitlements and benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs by reviewing veterans’ claims folders, developing issues for use in the appellate process, and counseling veterans on government benefits and entitlements.
Typical Duties And Responsibilities
Supervises the VFW staff of the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC National Capital Regional Benefits Office (NCRBO) in the performance of their daily responsibilities, including assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and submitting required reports to the Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, or their designee. Supervises the daily office procedures employing electronic case management and automation software applications required by the Director, National Veterans Service, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Maintains liaison with federal and state agencies concerning veterans’ entitlements and benefits. Provides advice and technical assistance to VFW National Veterans Service staff and accredited service officers in policy matters pertaining to those programs as they affect the mission. Regularly attends meetings of both national and state government agencies.
Develops, coordinates, implements, and maintains an internal training program for the VFW staff at the NCRBO, including Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA) Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of claims (TRIP) program.
Processes inquiries from the veterans’ community concerning veterans’ benefits. Ensures that the appropriate forms are accurately and timely submitted. Monitors claim progression, and reviews rating decisions to determine appropriate courses of action to resolve unfavorable decisions.
Researches and develops initial appeals through coordination, outside agencies, and expert witnesses. Prepares statements on behalf of the veteran’s claim or appeal, including development and submission of any previously unconsidered evidence. Prepares and submits reviewed claims for Higher Level Review (HLR), Supplemental Claims (SC) or appeals directly to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Assists the veteran in obtaining medical opinions from attending physicians and other health care professionals if necessary and germane to the benefits claimed.
Implements and conducts the VFW’s veterans’ outreach programs to veterans facilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan areas.
Reviews, incorporates, and trains staff on statutes, regulations, and government directives to ensure that veterans’ interests are articulated in accordance with VFW national mandates and the National Veterans Service Policy and Procedure. Attends meetings with the requirement to articulate VFW policies concerning the veterans’ entitlements program.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required
Position does not require VFW membership eligibility.
Position requires a Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of three years directly related work experience.
Advanced human relations and management skills are required. This position requires knowledge of specific subjects to make the incumbent a subject matter expert in veterans’ affairs programs. This typically includes public speaking on a particular subject, and the incumbent may frequently be called upon for views on special veterans’ issues. Erudite knowledge and understanding are required of Title 38 United States Code, Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations, and other government statutes, regulations, directives, and publications, and when conducting interviews and completing veterans’ affairs forms.
Position requires advanced knowledge of office equipment, particularly computers, to include software applications (i.e., TVB or other case management system, MS Office, VBMS, virtual teleconferencing software, and other VFW and VA provided applications), electronic case management techniques, and other electronic applications used in a fully automated office.
Position requires ability to manage remote work from a safe and secure telework environment in accordance with a client-facing office's business needs.
Position requires VFW accreditation with the Department of Veterans Affairs and successful completion of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of claims (TRIP) test. Incumbent will, from time to time, be required to attend required NVS training and to take recertification tests to monitor their proficiency in the laws pertaining to veterans’ benefits.
Scope Of Position
Position is FLSA exempt.
Position is under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director for Training, VFW National Veterans Service and has supervisory responsibility for all staff stationed in the VFW service office at the Washington, DC National Capital Region Benefits Office (NCRBO). Typical decisions include determining staff priorities and assigning office duties.
Incumbent assigns work priorities and reviews results. Recommends hiring, disciplinary actions, promotions, and prepares performance appraisals. Incumbent makes decisions that can impact beyond the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC National Capital Region Benefits Office.
Conducts and supervises on site classroom and/or one-on-one training for all National Service Office staff and as necessary, coordinates any required classroom training conducted by the NVS Assistant Director for Training, especially in subject matters that will enhance the professional knowledge and proficiency of the staff. This includes possible participation in the development and implementation of the VFW’s Training Strategy for the National Veterans Service and acting as an instructor in various training conferences in implementation of that strategy if requested.
Essential problem solving includes determining the proper application of laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to veterans’ entitlements and coordinating internal and external staff resources to solve issues in the best interest of the veteran, their family, or survivors.
Contacts are with members of the veterans’ community, the VFW National Veterans Service staff, VFW Department Service Officers, representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies through written and oral communications.
Ensures proper records concerning monthly activities are maintained to render timely and accurate reports to the Deputy Director, NVS and Director, NVS.
Incumbent may be required to participate in the development of the National Veterans Service annual budget.
Working Conditions
Position functions in a normal office environment approximately 85% of the time. Domestic and local travel is required approximately 15% of the time to participate in meetings, training programs, and veteran affairs hearings. Limited telework may be available.
Major Accountabilities
Ensures the efficient and professional operation of the VFW National Service Office at the Washington, DC National Capital Region Benefits Office.
Ensures veteran community inquiries are adequately reviewed and processed, appropriate documentation is accurately completed, and the claim and/or appeal forwarded to the applicable agency in a timely manner in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs and NVS Policy and Procedure.
Ensures that veterans’ community members are counseled about their rights and entitlements and are represented in a courteous, caring, and professional manner.
Ensures veterans claims issues are properly documented, researched, and developed prior to submission to the applicable federal agency and that the veteran is adequately represented in the appellate process.
Implements an outreach program to veterans in the Washington, DC metropolitan areas.
Performs as an instructor at National Veterans Service training conferences and seminars if requested to do so.
Processes and assigns to the staff VFW Tactical Assessment Center/Team Support, incident reports, including interaction with the inquirer. Provides guidance in the completion of all actions associated with each incident report.
The above duties are general in nature and are not intended to reflect all of the duties which may be required of the incumbent.
- This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.
