Total 12 job vacancies by Veterans Benefits Administration

The incumbent is responsible for assignments which require analyzing and evaluating controversial and complex projects or cases, developing new or interpreting existing Labor Relations policy, providing formal and informal assistance and advice, and conducting special assignments relative to the VA HR labor and employee relations program.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:
- Develops, interprets, and updates complex labor and employee relations policies and procedures having emphasis on 3rd party representation cases throughout VBA.
- Review draft regulations affecting labor and employee relations matters throughout VBA and developing VBA positions on such issuances. Incumbent studies, researchers and provides authoritative and expert interpretation of a large number of complex statutes, regulations, guidelines and policies rendered by Congress, Office of Personal Management (OPM), and VA.
- Identifies and proposes solutions to a broad range of Human Resources labor problems and issues that are characterized by their breadth, importance, and severity and for which previous studies and established techniques are frequently inadequate.
- Conducts studies to develop management interests and respond to union interests, which typically have a significant impact on a large number of employees, involve several interrelated issues, and/or are potentially of considerable cost to the client if unresolved.
- Provides interpretation of laws, executive orders, regulations, collective bargaining agreements and policies both as general guides and in response to managers when highly technical or unusual issues are involved.
- Reviews negotiated labor agreements for compliance with federal laws and government-wide rules and regulations. Reviews proposed bargaining units; investigates recognition disputes and makes recommendations on appropriate units.
- Reviews compelling needs requests by the union and formulates recommendations for granting non-negotiability waiver of agency regulations.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The grade progression for this position is GS-12, GS-13.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Virtual: This is a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (Employee & Labor Relations); 40060-A/35213-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

• Performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised. Establish guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Develops work improvement plans for the team, recommending personnel actions as necessary.
• Provides advice and counsel to employees related to work and administrative matters. Affects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests to maintain appropriate staffing levels for the division. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of all For Official Use Only 3 safety regulations. Hears and resolves complaints from employees engaging in ADR/mediation as needed.
• Builds and manages the workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations and staffing needs. Recruits, selects, appraises and rewards staff; acts to address performance problems. The incumbent ensures performance plans for all assigned employees are properly created and utilized. Utilizes the division's employee recognition and award program.
• Mentors team employees, addresses individual learning needs and effectively offers feedback to identify and correct deficient areas. Provides or arranges technical training necessary for the accomplishment of individual and team tasks.
• Resolves personnel complaints or disciplinary problems with assistance from NCCM and human resources technical experts.
• Responds to calls transferred to the supervisory escalation queue or the Public Contact Representative (PCR) needs assistance in providing a response. Resolves calls received at this level by either answering the call immediately or by taking responsibility for "call back."
• Inspires, motivates, and guides others toward goal accomplishment, Coaches, mentors, and challenges subordinates; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations; models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individual by applying these values to daily behaviors.

Specific duties include:

• Shares delegated authority with the Human Resources Officer for leading the overall planning and direction of HR programs.
• Facilitates the implementation and achievement of VAs strategic goals by providing relevant and substantive recommendations via human resources consultations and functions.
• Exercises managerial and operational control over a network of human resources specialists and assistants who provide administrative and technical support to managers and staff enterprise wide.
• Responsible for all human resources staffing, recruitment, and benefits related activities under the purview of the HRC to include planning and executing internal and external recruiting and delegated examining programs.
• Formulates, communicates, and implements policy on all human resources, payroll, and related programs enterprise wide.
• Provides professional services and guidance to all management/supervisory levels concerned with human resources principles, techniques and acceptable practices, and technical advice on statutory, regulatory and procedural human resources requirements.
• Shares delegated authority with the Human Resources Officer in developing goals and objectives that integrate administrative and human resources objectives to ensure alignment with the organization mission and strategic goals.
• Initiates, develops, and conducts special studies aimed at improving the delivery, effectiveness, and efficiently of human resources services.
• Composes complex correspondence related to the delivery, administration, and legality of human resources functions that is often controversial for high-level Agency officials.

Primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

• The National Contact Center (NCC) centralizes VBA's contact center activities and provides greater consistency and higher quality service by customer-facing employees.
• NCC employees may have contacts via telephone, email, video, or chat with the public for the purposes of (1) advising and providing information on benefits and rights; (2) explaining pertinent legal provisions, regulations, and related administrative practices and their application to specific cases; (3) assisting individuals regarding how best to provide needed documents and evidence required, and/or (4) initiating inquiries to resolve errors, delays, or other problems in obtaining benefits. The employees will also assist with the completion of claim and appeal related work.
• Assists the inquirer with determining the short-term and long-term circumstances that might influence a choice between various benefits. Programs include, but are not limited to, compensation and pension benefits, home loan eligibility, education, health care, life insurance, burial benefits, vocational rehabilitation services, fiduciary assistance, general Social Security Administration benefit programs, and other Federal, state, and local domestic relations and assistance programs.
• Explains the types of documents necessary to facilitate timely processing of claims and appeals and assists with obtaining and completing such documents and forms in accordance with the type of claim or appeal being submitted.
• Explains VBA rating decisions and provides explanations for the decisions using extensive knowledge of VA benefits and services, claim and appeal processing procedures, and all pertinent information available within the systems of record.
• Performs claim or appeal related work including, but not limited to, providing comprehensive claim or appeal status updates using mandatory scripting requirements, processing change of address requests, establishment of, or change to direct deposit banking information, burial allowance claims, dependency claim, etc.
• Appropriately responds to interactions where the customer wishes to speak/discuss to a "supervisor," by attempting to deescalate the interaction by immediately addressing the inquirer's needs prior to referral for a contact by a supervisor

Specific duties include:

• Responsible for coordinating and effectively managing the administrative, strategic, and technical controls over the functions and activities of the GHOST which includes the planning and execution of hiring fairs and other recruitment events nationwide.
• Works in collaboration with OSO, HRPMO, and HRC leadership in the areas of HR principles, techniques, and acceptable practices, to include providing highly technical advice related to recruitment and staffing operations.
• Assists in the development of goals and objectives that align with the HCS mission.
• Represent OSO and provide consultative advisement engaging with internal and external stakeholders as a participant in interagency meetings and task groups.
• Evaluates the work output of subordinate supervisors and staff members and recommends appropriate changes to enhance efficient customer service.
• Analyze VBA directives, policy, and other documents tailoring human resources management (HRM) programs to improve with recruitment and staffing enterprise wide.
• Represents OSO and provide consultative advisement engaging with internal and external stakeholders as a participant in interagency meetings and task groups.
• Evaluates the work output of subordinate supervisors and staff members and recommends appropriate changes to enhance efficient customer service.

Specific duties include:

• Provides overall advice and assistance to management and employees in major human resource management functional areas.
• Advises managers of regulatory considerations, available alternatives, possible effects of various alternative decisions, and recommends actions/solutions.
• Provides technical assessments and advice as requested by managers in exercising their position classification responsibilities.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and reviews positions against Office of Personnel Management position classification standards and agency classification guidance.
• Ensures that pay entitlements and work schedules are set in accordance with laws and regulations.
• Helps SMEs with developing crediting plans.
• Interprets and applies regulations pertinent to recruitment and placement.
• Makes qualification determinations in accordance with OPM's standards and prepares referral certificates.
• Provides information and/or assistance to employees/applicants regarding questions on qualification requirements
• Prepares written responses to congressional inquiries for signature by higher authority, as necessary.
• Directs a Human Resources Assistant who assists in the accomplishment of work for the assigned Regional Office.

The Veteran Authorization Quality Review Specialist (AQRS) is an integral part of the DROC quality assurance program, and as is a key technical adviser to the Veterans Service Representatives (VSR) in the Seattle Regional Office.

• Performs individual quality reviews to determine the authorization quality level of individual VSRs for purposes of individual performance standards in accordance with an established monthly schedule.
• Conducts focused in-process reviews for cases to determine the accuracy of claims action taken. (Such reviews are for station-level feedback and improvement only, not used for individual performance standard purposes).
• Responsible for sharing authorization quality trend information with management on an ongoing basis and with the VSRs during training sessions.
• Reviews products or activities for quality of performance and enters the results into the on-line STAR checklists.
• Evaluates and identifies deficiencies of all elements of a claim from evidence development, income and dependency issues, to award processing and authorization. Provides an explanation of errors and includes comments where attention is warranted.
• Prepares STAR data reports and provides to personnel in the regional office who are authorized to request and receive such reports.
• Develops various quality assurance processes with emphasis on work procedures and techniques that address unique work conditions and practices.
• Ensures all program requirements imposed by Compensation Service and/or the Pension and Fiduciary Service and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims are met or implemented.

This position is located in a Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional office (VARO) Decision Review Operations Center. The Rating Quality Review Specialist is an integral part of the Decision Review Operations Center's quality assurance program and is a key technical adviser to the Decision Review Officers (DROs) and Rating Veterans Service Representatives (RVSRs), in the Decision Review Operations Center. The purpose of this position is to measure individual performance quality and identify training needs through the review and assessment of completed claims involving appeals and rating decisions.

• Performs individual quality reviews to determine the rating quality level of individual DROs and RVSRs for purposes of individual performance standards in accordance with an established monthly schedule. - Conducts focused "in-process reviews" for cases to determine the accuracy of claims action taken. (Such reviews are for station-level feedback and improvement only, not used for individual performance standard purposes.)
• Responsible for sharing rating quality trend information with management on an ongoing basis and with the DROs and RVSRs during training sessions.
• Reviews products or activities for quality of performance and enters the results into the on-line STAR checklists.
• Evaluates and identifies deficiencies of all elements of a claim from evidence development, income, and dependency issues, to award processing and authorization. Provides an explanation of errors and includes comments where attention is warranted.
• Prepares STAR data reports and provides to personnel in the regional office who are authorized to request and receive such reports.
• Develops various quality assurance processes with emphasis on work procedures and techniques that address unique work conditions and practices. - Ensures all program requirements imposed by Compensation Service, the Office of Administrative Review and/or the Pension and Fiduciary Service and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims are met or implemented.
• Prepares documentation to support unfavorable finding in order to provide justification for error decisions and indicate required actions.
• Conducts statistical analysis of quality reviews to identify trends, significant problems areas and processes requiring improvement.
• Relays quality trend information with management on an ongoing basis for use in operations, decision making, and planning.

Specific duties include:

• The incumbent monitors and reports on the status of work in progress and reviews completed work to ensure that instructions on work priorities, method, deadlines and quality have been met.
• The incumbent provides training to acquisition staff members, management, and customers regarding methods and techniques of performing contract actions and analyzing acquisition policy. The incumbent provides or arranges specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of individual and team tasks.
• The Procurement Analyst coordinates the response to and analysis of unique and complicated Congressional inquiries requiring extensive research. He or she examines and responds to Office of Inspector General (OIG} Hotline case referrals as determined by the Acquisition Division leadership. This will include, but is not limited to, site visits' recommendation development, official written responses; and coordination with members from OIG. The incumbent may, at times, serve on interdisciplinary groups to resolve and analyze issues as described above.
• The incumbent defines or assists in defining areas in which to conduct vulnerability assessments including assessments of contract administration/management systems, practices and procedures. The incumbent provides training to acquisition staff members, management, and customers regarding methods and techniques of performing contract actions and analyzing acquisition policy. The incumbent provides or arranges specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of individual and team tasks.
• The incumbent has wide latitude in reviewing daily operations and apprising the management team on problem areas, proposing corrective actions to be taken, and the monitoring of those actions once implemented. Public Laws, VA Manuals and Directives, Federal Acquisition and Veterans Administration Acquisition Regulations serve as the basis for interpretations, decisions, and correct application of VBA's data systems, principles, contract methods, and techniques. The incumbent will serve as the Alternate Automated Data Processing Applications Coordinator for VBA. He or she develops programs to support computer-enhanced systematic internal reviews and provides comprehensive analysis on a wide variety of VBA acquisition functions conducted via automation. The incumbent must initiate and analyze studies of VBA acquisition to provide feedback and generate new initiatives to enhance the current processes. As necessary, the incumbent revises, modifies, and installs new system procedures and/or organizational changes subject to the concurrence of the Supervisor or Director. The incumbent plans, organizes, and conducts computer systems training programs which promote the highest standard of employee efficiency, computer skill, and motivation.

Specific duties include (but are not limited to):

- Provides guidance and technical direction for accomplishing the work of the unit or team.
- Ensures the work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out.
- Works with the supervisor in the assignment of functions to team members to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities.
- Serves as work leader, ensuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out.
- Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specialization. In case of a shortage of personnel due to scheduled or unscheduled leave, responsible for filing in and for distributing the workload to other team members to ensure smooth workflow.
- Ensures the timely accomplishment of assigned tasks and ensures that each employee has enough work to keep busy. Monitors the status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities.
- Maintains current knowledge and answers questions about other employee's procedures, policies, and directives.
- Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checks on work in progress, and reviews completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality have been met.
- Obtains assistance and/or need information from the supervisor on problems that may arise or backlogs that cannot be disposed of promptly.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The grade progression for this position is GS-08.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4 pm
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: Available
Virtual: Yes this is a Virtual position
Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment and Placement); GS-07, 42030-A/GS-08, 41137-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

The Assistant Coach is responsible for planning, programming, coordinating, supervising, managing, directing and/or reviewing all activities for their assigned area of responsibility. Responsible for advising the Coach on the daily operation of their team to include reporting daily operational problems and needs to achieve goals and objectives of the Veterans Contact Center (VCC) VBA benefits programs as they relate to the VCC.

Under the supervision of the Coach, the incumbent leads individuals in performing the work of the Legal Administrative Specialist/Public Contact Representation (LAS/PCR) position. Exercises supervisory authorities and responsibilities, as delegated, involving work assignment and review, as well as the administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervised.
• Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques.
• Develops work improvement plans for the team, recommending personnel actions as necessary.
• Provides advice and counsel to employees related to work and administrative matters.
• Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests to maintain appropriate staffing levels for the division.
• The incumbent ensures performance plans for all assigned employees are properly created and utilized.
• Utilizes the division's employee recognition and award program.
• Mentors team employees, addresses individual learning needs and effectively offers feedback to identify and correct deficient areas. Provides or arranges technical training necessary for the accomplishment of individual and team tasks.
• Resolves personnel complaints or disciplinary problems with assistance from the Coach and/or call center manager.
• Responds to calls transferred to the supervisory escalation queue or the Legal Administrative Specialist (Contact Representative) needs assistance in providing a response.
• Resolves calls received at this level by either answering the call immediately or by taking responsibility for "call back." But referring calls of greater difficulty/not easily resolved to the Coach.
• Inspires, motivates, and guides others toward goal accomplishment, coaches, mentors, and challenges subordinates.

Specific duties include:

• Performs all pre-award and post award acquisition functions for complex acquisitions spanning multiple functional areas to include services, professional services, minor construction, architect/engineering and contracts that may involve unique or novel services
• Provides guidance to less experienced staff, technical and program personnel involved in the development of the SOW or data requirements.
• Reviews requests for acquisition to ensure that each request is complete and adequate funding, description of supplies or services required; provides advice and guidance to less experienced contracting staff.
• Promotes competition and approves or recommends approvals of noncompetitive justifications when competition is impractical.
• Ensures the compliance of acquisition products, including compliance with FAR, VAAR, use of ECMS, and FPDS.
• Determines price reasonableness for all awards and contractor responsibility where applicable.
• Communicates workload status to customers and supervisor. Achieves Procurement Action Lead Times (PALT) for awards.
• Masters all VA and federal electronic acquisition systems, including but not limited to SAM, eCMS, FPDS, PPIRS/CPARS and ensures all systems are properly used for every acquisition.
• Chooses contract type and ensure the solicitation is properly structured to define requirement and basis for selection.
• Incorporates new or changed contract requirements with appropriate modifications, or settles issues that develop after contract award.
• Works with program customer, supervisor and legal counsel to resolve protest and disputes as necessary.