DutiesThe Major Duties of the Legal Administrative Specialist (Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator) are not limited to: - Offers a wide array of special programs and initiatives specifically designed to help homeless Veterans live as self-sufficiently and independently as possible. VA's major homeless-specific programs constitute the largest integrated network of homeless treatment and assistance service throughout the country. The programs strive to offer a continuum of service that include aggressive outreach to those veterans living on streets and in shelters who otherwise would not seek assistance, clinically assessment and referral to need medical treatment for physical and psychiatric disorders, including substance abuse.
- Represents the Regional Office as liaison with local VA and non-profit community homeless specific organizations, homeless advocacy groups and other support activities. Coordinates VA benefit programs to best serve homeless Veterans and their families.
- Coordinates counseling sessions with Veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries face-to-face, regarding all benefits available through the VA, as well as non-VA benefits available through other agencies. This is accomplished through in-person or telephone interviews, and correspondence, or telephone VBA facilities and provides broad outreach services.
- Explains in detail, VBA rating decisions and provides explanations for the decisions using extensive knowledge of VA benefits and services, claim and appeal processing procedures and benefit determination information and all pertinent information available in system of record.
- Assists with programs including, but are not limited to, compensation and pension benefits, home loan eligibility, education, health care, life insurance, burial benefits, vocational rehabilitation services, general Social Security Administration benefit programs, and other federal, state, and local domestic relations, and assistance programs.
- Prepares technical correspondence to Veterans and their dependents providing benefit information, representation rights, and response to miscellaneous inquiries.
- Explains pertinent legal provisions, regulations, and related administrative practices and their application to specific cases.
- May serve as, or with the Outreach Coordinator (such as the Women's Veterans Coordinator, Minority Veterans Coordinator, Homeless Veterans Coordinator, Aging Veterans Coordinator, Ex-Prisoners of War Coordinator or Military Services Coordinator).
- Initiates inquiries to resolve errors, delays, or other problems in obtaining benefits. Completes claim and appeal-related work.
- Provides training materials (pamphlets, handouts, etc.) to shelters, homeless service providers, and homeless Veterans. This includes, but is not limited to, benefit orientations, counseling, and assistance with claims. Able to interpret and accurately reflect VA policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements for VA homeless programs.
- Performs outreach functions as part of a Homeless Chronically Mentally Ill Program (HCMI) team to provide improved access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and services for the homeless. Spend time in the community at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and all other areas where homeless Veterans can be found. Focuses on the identification of homeless Veterans, relationship building, and assuring that homeless Veterans receive comprehensive services through the team and through linkage to non-VA programs.
- Provides referral, application assistance, advocacy, and follow-up, when necessary, to appropriate service programs.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Standard 5-day, 8 hours, full-time (40 hours a week) 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (PS Time) schedule; Hours may vary to effectively carry out the mission. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: 41793A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required RequirementsConditions of Employment- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- This is a bargaining unit position.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-10 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: - Specialized experience is defined as (1) experience that has demonstrated the capability of being a self-reliant decision-maker and possessing the ability to work independently when providing customer service benefits counseling and claims processing. (2) The individual must possess in-depth knowledge of researching relevant subject matter. (3) The experience should be significantly and directly derived from federal, military, or the private sector. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to orating to persons from a wide variety of backgrounds regarding VA benefits programs; performing research of local, state, and Federal laws and regulations to determine Veterans' eligibility for benefits programs.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. EducationThere is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional informationVA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
General Schedule (opm.gov)- This link is reference to the General Schedule pay by locality.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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