Legal Administrative Specialist (Contact Representation)

Veterans Benefits Administration • Sioux Falls, SD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Administrative Specialist (LAS) is a member of the Public Contact Team in the Veterans Service Center. The incumbent provides in-depth information and comprehensive assistance to Veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries regarding VA benefits and related non-VA benefits. The position counsels claimants, advocates on their behalf with VA elements and external organizations, and provides support throughout the claims process.

The specialist conducts interviews at VA facilities and outreach events to initiate claims, explain benefits, and help claimants obtain and complete required documents. The position reviews claims, submits requests to appropriate sections, interprets laws, regulations, and procedures, explains documentation requirements and VA decisions, and prepares technical correspondence. The work is mostly sedentary and involves extensive computer and telephone use. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday; hours are determined by the hiring office. Situational telework may be approved case by case, but routine or recurring telework is not authorized, and the employee must report to the official duty station each scheduled workday.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement by the announcement closing date; for current Federal GS employees qualifying at GS-10, 52 weeks at GS-09 is required.
• For GS-10, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 or higher, communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds about VA benefits programs and researching local, state, and Federal laws and regulations to determine Veterans' eligibility; or qualifying education; or a combination of education and experience.
• Education may substitute for experience with two and a half years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, demonstrating competencies necessary for the work.
• Must complete applicable probationary or trial period and pass a background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification and Form I-9 documentation.
• A transcript must be submitted if education is used to meet qualification requirements.
• Must complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments when required; assessments must be completed within 48 hours of receiving the access URL if the link is received after the announcement closes.
• The work requires extended periods of talking and extensive use of a computer and telephone; it may involve high levels of stress and pressure.

Responsibilities

• Counsel Veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries about benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and non-VA benefits offered by other organizations.
• Serve as a facility point of contact and advocate in dealings with VA elements and external organizations affecting claimants' claims.
• Conduct interviews at VA facilities and outreach events to initiate claims, explain VA benefits, and assist with obtaining and completing necessary documents and forms.
• Review claims and submit appropriate requests to relevant sections for action.
• Analyze and interpret laws, regulations, and procedures, using discretion and judgment where guidelines or precedents are unclear.
• Explain the documents required to facilitate timely claims processing and communicate VA decisions and their reasons to claimants.
• Prepare technical correspondence for Veterans and their dependents concerning benefits, representation rights, and miscellaneous inquiries.
• Provide counseling and support throughout the claims process, assist with documentation, clarify benefit eligibility, and represent Veterans' interests.
• Help ensure accurate and timely processing of paperwork and inquiries.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of Federal service; VA may offer credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level