Director, National Veterans Services

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES•Washington, DC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Administers the VFW’s National Veterans Service program in accordance with established mandates of the organization, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies of jurisdiction. Advises the National Veterans Service Advisory Committee, consisting of the incumbent Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, and the four immediate Past Commanders-in-Chief, on veterans’ service program and budget issues. Advises the National Officers, through the Executive Director, on National Veterans Service programs and policy issues. Represents the VFW membership before various national committees and federal agencies to articulate the VFW National Veterans Service position. Responsible for identifying issues involving service to veterans and military personnel and suggesting organizational positions and policy solutions. Crafts and implements the National Veterans Service Strategic Plan. Has supervisory control over the VFW field offices to include the Board of Veterans Appeals, certain national service offices, and the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program to include coordination with executive level Department of Veterans Affairs and military senior staff. Responsible for the NVS training and quality assurance programs which provides technical expertise and general oversight to nearly 2,000 VFW-accredited representatives. Has supervisory responsibility for the implementation of federal veterans’ health care, economic opportunity, homelessness, suicide prevention, and transition benefits, and advises on statutory each such federal entitlement and benefit. Responsible for oversight of the NVS benefits casework portfolio.

Requirements

Position requires VFW membership eligibility in order to address the VFW Convention and National Council of Administration.
Position requires a bachelor’s degree or seven to ten years directly related work experience.
Superior human relations, analytical and management ability to efficiently administer the NVS program and to communicate with government agencies, veterans and the general public concerning VFW principles, goals and objectives.
Position requires knowledge of given subjects to such a degree as to make the incumbent authoritative in veterans’ benefit programs, military benefits, and military quality of life issues.
Typically includes public speaking on a particular subject and the incumbent is routinely called upon for his views on veterans’ affairs issues.
Must be extremely knowledgeable on active duty and reserve component military and retiree health and benefit issues.
Knowledge of business computer systems, cloud-based client management systems, federal information and technology systems, and general office equipment is required.
Position requires VFW accreditation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, successful completion of the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Training, Responsibility, Involvement and Preparation of claims (TRIP) test, and ability to secure VA remote access credentials and identification.
Incumbent will, from time to time, be required to take recertification tests to monitor their proficiency in the laws pertaining to veterans’ benefits.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Analyzes legislation, Federal policy and regulations and other pertinent publications to determine current and future impact on service members, veterans, dependents, and survivors, and recommends policy changes beneficial to the veterans’ community.
Serves as the organization's principal resource in terms of in-depth knowledge of Federal and other programs furnishing benefits, entitlements or health care to veterans, dependents, and survivors.
Designs, coordinates, implements, and administers the VFW National Veterans Service program and the National Veterans Service Policy and Procedures which guide the nationwide VFW service network.
Serves as the designated National Certifying Official to VA for the VFW responsible for ensuring VFW-accredited service officers meet the standards established by both VA and VFW.
Provides training and quality assurance for the VFW’s global network of accredited representatives as resources allow.
Revokes accreditation when charged or job knowledge no longer meet VA or VFW criteria.
Oversees the VFW service program to ensure the provision of timely and efficient services to service members, veterans, dependents, and survivors, and is accountable for the professional delivery of those services to more than 550,000 beneficiaries who receive more than $10 billion in disability compensation and pension payments from VA every year.
Represents the VFW membership in articulating the VFW policy on NVS issues to federal agencies, national committees and other interested parties through the medium of regularly published content, technical bulletins, and written and oral presentations.
Responsible for the periodic review, revision, and publication of a comprehensive service manual for use by all VFW Posts and others associated with VFW service work.
Administers the day-to-day activities of the NVS staff, allocates personnel and logistical resources to fulfill the national goals and objectives.
Develops the NVS program budget proposal to ensure orderly operation of the National Veterans Service network.
Supervises the VFW national effort to provide appeals representation before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington.
Ensures that appropriate procedures are in place to carry out these appellate responsibilities.
Oversee the National Veterans Service Field Operations, to all VFW Benefits Delivery and Discharge sites, and other national service offices and service programs.
Supervises the VFW’s involvement in veterans’ health care, economic opportunity, homelessness, suicide prevention, and transition benefit programs.
Interacts with senior military and Department of Defense officials to coordinate the VFW’s Benefits Delivery at Discharge program, and in coordination with the Director, National Security and Foreign Affairs, provides technical expertise and general oversight of the military transition assistance program.
Represent the National Organization at regional and state meetings as required and serves as VFW liaison to outside organizations on all health-related meetings and events.
Primary point of contact for the VFW National Veterans Service Resolutions Committee, to include annual Veterans Service Resolutions.
Oversees all aspects of the National Veterans Service and the delivery of all federal benefit programs to service members, veterans, dependents, and survivors, with a particular focus on the VFW’s program approved by Department of Veterans Affairs for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of benefit claims before the agency.
Ensures efficient administration of the National Veterans Service program to include daily functioning of staff resources.
Resolves personnel problems for a large and geographically dispersed staff.
Ensures timely and effective dissemination of veterans’ service issues and program information to the Executive Director, National Veterans Service Advisory Committee, VFW Chair Officers, National Veterans Service Resolutions Committee, VFW service officers, membership and general public.
Ensures efficient administration of VFW policies concerning the broad spectrum of National Veterans Service activities and effectively conducts staff coordination with the appropriate staff Directors to ensure effective communication of the NVS policies to the applicable agency or Congressional committee.
Deals routinely with a myriad of complex issues and diverse personalities.
Actively participates as a representative of the national organization in various VFW functions as may be assigned.