Supervisory Program Specialist - Veterans Benefits Administration

Summary The Supervisory Program Specialist shares responsibility fully with the Director for the effective, efficient, and economical direction, control, and operation of the Veterans Benefits Administration's program of benefits and services provided by law for veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries, and services for other agencies, allied governments, and miscellaneous beneficiaries within the limitations of established policies and delegated authority Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Regional Office policies and procedures are consistent with national mandates, providing executive leadership and direction for subordinates in investigating and solving problems arising in the Regional Office's administration of Veterans' Benefits programs and services. Delegates authority and responsibility in line with VA policies and procedures to supervisory staff exercising control and circumstances required to facilitate efficient and effective management that ensures that benefits/services are provided in a timely, objective manner concerning speed, accuracy, customer satisfaction, and employee development. Analyzes and evaluates results and accomplishments in each program to identify problem areas, directs remedial measures, and follows up to assure maximum improvement and service at optimum cost. The incumbent is responsible for determining Regional Office goals and developing long- and short­ range plans to achieve these goals. To accomplish this, the incumbent determines the resources required, allocates available resources among subordinate units, and is responsible for the effective and economical use. Determines needs and develops plans for necessary organizational changes to meet changing requirements placed on the RO. These changes involve organizational structure, subordinate positions, and operating budgets. The incumbent establishes internal policy, determines program emphasis, and establishes procedures for the Regional Office to coordinate and communicate with internal and external customers effectively. Incumbent directs the administration of an influential position management program for the Regional Office. This involves the incumbent directly reviewing and evaluating RO managers for conformity to established policies and standards and ensuring high quality and timely performance of the Regional Office's mission. The incumbent oversees the direction of all human resources management functions for the Regional Office and resolves grievances or complaints that cannot be resolved at lower levels. Oversees the preparation of budget estimates and ensures effective budget control. Within the framework of allotment restrictions, authorizes and distributes personnel and allotted funds to provide the essential services efficiently and economically and with maximum effectiveness and workforce and equipment utilization. Responsible for conducting an effective Incentive Awards Program, carrying out an aggressive safety and fire protection program, maintaining optimal space utilization, and liaison with building services. Responsible for budget estimates for contractor support and equipment. Ensures the development, coordination, and implementation of effective information security procedures identified by the Office of Management and Budget, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, VA policies, and VBA policy and guidance documents. Within VBA and department policies and limitations, the department has full authority to organize and operate Regional Office programs, to change internal procedures, workflow, and sequence of operations as dictated by local conditions, and to determine when such changes will produce improved service. When necessary, this includes making decisions on contracting out work. Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective public relations with the Veteran population, Veteran organizations, public officials, state and local government officials, education and training establishment officials, and the public. The public relations program is designed to obtain the best possible relationships with the public and to obtain the public's understanding and support of the federally administered veterans' programs. The Supervisory Program Specialist represents and acts for the Director, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Under Secretary for Benefits, as appropriate. Reviews and approves within prescribed policies the conduct of relationships between the Regional Office and Veterans and controls relationships of employees with forms transacting business with VA. Promotes and maintains an effective labor-management relations program. Creates and maintains a working environment that Is free of discrimination and assures diversity. Plans are developed and implemented to recruit, train, retain, motivate, empower, and advance employees. Promotes the needs and goals of the individual and the organization. Provides a safe and healthy work environment and maintains satisfactory space control and building services. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday Telework: Available Position Description/PD#: 41831-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Bargaining Unit Position: No Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/04/2024. 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 GS14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS13. 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: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: expert knowledge of veteran benefit programs or VBA business lines and laws affecting veterans' compensation and pension benefits to provide authoritative guidance and direction on claims and appeals processing. Supervised, managed, or served as a project lead to accomplish performance and project goals; possesses knowledge and/or practical application of employee relations (e.g., performance or conduct based actions) and labor relations (e.g., grievance process or negotiations) practices. Candidates must also have demonstrated in their work experience or training that they possess, or have the potential to develop, the qualities to successfully supervise subordinates/teams and to share responsibility for directing and supervising the administrative work necessary to manage a successful program area. OR, Specialized experience is characterized by a thorough knowledge of delivering Veterans benefits services in a VBA business line or a Regional Office setting which include all of the following: Establishing priorities and determining resource needs to meet program objectives; Directing, coordinating and approving a full range of personnel management actions and organizational change proposals; Directing comprehensive and complex program reviews; Monitoring and controlling program progression and effectiveness through analysis of policies, directives and organizational short and long range goals. Such experience may have been gained in federal or private sectors and is to be substantive and relevant to the position being filled. 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 normally involves mental rather than physical exertion. 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/. Education No education requirement at this grade level. Additional Information VA 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) provide 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 who have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.