Lead Management and Program Analyst

Veterans Benefits Administration • Long Branch, NJ

1d • Remote

About The Position

Serves as a lead management and program analyst and principal advisor within VBA Compensation Service, leading complex nationwide program and procedural initiatives related to compensation benefit delivery. Provides authoritative advice to senior leadership; leads cross-functional and interagency efforts; evaluates program effectiveness; coaches and mentors teammates; and develops and implements processes, procedures, and data-sharing initiatives.

The position monitors programs supporting compensation and pension benefits and services for veterans and their dependents or beneficiaries. It works with VBA components and other agencies, including the Department of Defense, to develop program objectives and operations, integrate information systems, support transitions from active duty to potential VA benefit eligibility, and reduce duplicated effort. The incumbent researches agency information that may affect veterans filing claims and provides procedural expertise on VBA processes.

The analyst plans and develops program initiatives, interprets policies, recommends procedures, evaluates customer service and field-office suggestions, and conducts research and program evaluations. The role manages multiple projects, investigates evidence for appealed and special-interest cases, visits field stations to improve operations, and recommends corrective actions. It also prepares and delivers presentations, develops procedural guidance, drafts manual change requests and briefing papers, responds to Congressional and external stakeholder inquiries, and prepares administrative materials concerning veteran-specific issues. The incumbent represents the Assistant Director in meetings and conferences and may act for the immediate supervisor.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is described as virtual and eligible only for case-by-case, situational telework; the selectee must report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Work is primarily sedentary and involves use of a personal computer. No special physical demands are required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• For current Federal GS employees, meet the GS-14 time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-13 by the announcement closing date.
• For the GS-14 role, have specialized experience providing knowledge, skills, and abilities related to veterans’ benefits administration.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and Federal legislation governing VA benefits programs, and the ability to interpret and apply them to complex issues and provide authoritative technical guidance.
• Have extensive knowledge of Federal, state, and local benefits programs and be able to communicate complex benefits information orally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Have experience leading staff responsible for veterans’ benefits programs, including planning and assigning work, providing technical direction and oversight, evaluating performance, ensuring compliance and quality, resolving complex operational issues, and supporting timely, accurate, and consistent program administration.
• Serve a one-year probationary period, subject to evaluation and written certification of continued employment.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Undergo a background/security investigation and complete required online onboarding and employment-eligibility identification requirements.
• Report to the official duty station each scheduled workday; routine or recurring telework is not authorized.
• There is no education substitution for GS-14.
• Work is primarily sedentary and involves use of a personal computer; no special physical demands are required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor operating programs and activities supporting compensation and pension benefits and services for veterans and their dependents or beneficiaries.
• Coordinate with VBA elements and other agencies on veterans’ benefits matters and program development.
• Recommend objectives and operations for programs involving the Department of Defense and VBA.
• Research historical and newly released agency information that may affect veterans filing claims.
• Advise other agencies on VBA work processes and ways to integrate information systems to support transitions from military service to potential VA benefit entitlement.
• Evaluate and recommend ways to reduce duplicated effort between VBA and other agencies, including disability evaluation, information exchange, service verification, and financial records.
• Plan and develop activities and initiatives to improve Compensation Service delivery; interpret policies and recommend procedures for implementing program decisions or changes.
• Serve as a liaison with field personnel and central-office officials on interagency matters and Compensation Service procedures.
• Research customer-service practices, evaluate performance against service standards, and recommend service improvements and customer-satisfaction initiatives.
• Evaluate suggestions from field personnel and recommend whether they should be approved based on program objectives, guidance, staffing, and implementation costs.
• Conduct short- and long-range research and studies to support Compensation Service business goals and objectives.
• Gather and critically analyze data using available information resources and make recommendations based on findings.
• Manage multiple projects and programs involving coordination across resources, divisions, and external agents.
• Investigate evidence related to appealed cases and special-interest cases.
• Conduct program evaluation and training visits to field stations and recommend corrective actions or changes to program directives.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations to Compensation Service audiences, VBA senior management, department executives, and outside agencies.
• Develop PowerPoint presentations explaining new material and its practical applications.
• Prepare clear and concise documents and help develop or update procedural guidance for field offices.
• Draft manual change requests and briefing papers, and respond to Congressional and external stakeholder inquiries.
• Research veteran-specific issues and prepare administrative materials, correspondence, and justifications for decisions.
• Represent the Assistant Director in meetings and conferences and speak for and commit the Assistant Director on courses of action involving established policy or resource expenditures.
• Advise and consult with the supervisor on precedent determinations and technical, regulatory, procedural, and operational aspects of the Compensation program.
• Act for the immediate supervisor when called upon and perform other assigned duties.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and are available from the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed