Legal Administrative Specialist (Contact Representative)

Veterans Benefits Administration • Oakland, CA

5h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Legal Administrative Specialist (Contact Representative) serves on the Public Contact Team in the Veterans Service Center. The position provides in-depth information and comprehensive assistance to veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries regarding VA benefits and related non-VA benefits. Counseling is provided through in-person meetings, telephone interviews, and written correspondence. The incumbent explains VA rating decisions, benefit determinations, and claim and appeal procedures; researches relevant information; and assists with benefit programs administered by the VA and other agencies. The role may also involve outreach coordination and resolving errors, delays, or other problems affecting access to benefits. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is based at a Regional Office, with situational telework possible only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized, and the selectee must report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. The position requires a one-year probationary period. Most work takes place in ordinary business-office settings and requires sustained concentration and mental effort.

Requirements

• For the GS-10 level, specialized experience demonstrating independent decision-making and the ability to work independently in customer service, benefits counseling, and claims processing; in-depth knowledge of researching relevant subject matter; and experience significantly and directly derived from federal, military, or private-sector work.
• Examples of specialized experience include explaining VA benefits programs to people from diverse backgrounds and researching local, state, and federal laws and regulations to determine veterans' eligibility for benefits.
• Alternatively, qualifying education may include a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, 2.5 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education.
• Education and experience may be combined to meet the qualification requirement.
• Current federal GS employees must meet time-in-grade requirements; for GS-10, 52 weeks at GS-09 is required.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to a background/security investigation and a one-year probationary period.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for employment eligibility verification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate counseling sessions with veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries about VA and non-VA benefits, using in-person meetings, telephone interviews, or written correspondence.
• Explain VA rating decisions and benefit determinations using knowledge of VA benefits and services, claims and appeals processing, and information in systems of record.
• Assist with compensation and pension, home loan eligibility, education, health care, life insurance, burial, vocational rehabilitation, Social Security Administration, and other federal, state, and local assistance programs.
• Prepare technical correspondence providing benefit information, representation rights, and responses to miscellaneous inquiries.
• Explain relevant legal provisions, regulations, and administrative practices and how they apply to specific cases.
• May serve as or assist an Outreach Coordinator, including in roles focused on women veterans, minority veterans, homeless veterans, aging veterans, former prisoners of war, or military services.
• Initiate inquiries to resolve errors, delays, or other problems in obtaining benefits.
• Complete claim- and appeal-related work.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit details depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree