Congressional Liaison Representative

Veterans Benefits Administration•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Congressional Liaison Representative communicates with congressional aides and other outside entities by telephone to resolve inquiries about difficult cases and questions regarding Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) benefits. The incumbent reviews Congressional, White House, Secretary, and other special inquiries received by letter and telephone to determine the appropriate disposition. This work includes using computer systems and reviewing claims folders. The position researches and analyzes inquiries, consults with management to determine the correct course of action, responds to inquiries by telephone or in writing, and provides information about services and benefits available to Veterans. The incumbent also trains congressional staffers and new employees on communication with Congressional Offices and special inquiries, provides feedback and training about trends and issues raised by congressional staff, and develops and processes claims to help complete inquiries. This is a full-time position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling may be available. Situational (ad hoc) telework may be approved case by case with supervisory approval; the selectee must report to the official duty station each scheduled workday, and routine or recurring telework is not authorized. The position is not virtual. The work is primarily sedentary, with periods of standing and walking and minimal lifting under 20 pounds.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
For current Federal employees who held a GS grade during the past 52 weeks, meet the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-07 for a GS-09 position. Current VBA employees seeking reassignment or change to a lower grade must hold GS-09 or higher, with promotion potential of at least GS-09.
Qualify at the GS-09 level through one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-07, including explaining VA decisions and communicating reasons to claimants; preparing technical correspondence to Veterans and dependents about benefits, representation rights, and miscellaneous inquiries; and analyzing and researching inquiries, consulting agencies as needed, and preparing written or telephone replies to stakeholders.
Alternatively, qualify at GS-09 through a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B. or J.D.; education and experience may be combined to meet the requirement.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Subject to a background/security investigation and a one-year probationary period.
Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
Education used to meet qualifications must be from an institution accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.
Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the announcement closing date of 10/27/2026.

Responsibilities

Review Congressional, White House, Secretary, and other special inquiries received by letter and telephone.
Respond to inquiries by telephone or in writing.
Research and analyze inquiries to determine the appropriate course of action.
Discuss inquiries with management to determine the correct course of action.
Provide information about services and benefits available to Veterans.
Provide training for congressional staffers.
Train new employees on communication with Congressional Offices and special inquiries.
Provide feedback and training on trends and issues presented by congressional staff.
Develop and process claims to assist in completing inquiries.