Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer (VREO)

Veterans Benefits Administration • Montgomery, AL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Veteran Readiness and Employment Officer (VREO) manages the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) division and provides administrative and technical direction and professional leadership to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and clerical staff. The VREO oversees rehabilitation activities, including counseling, case management, plan development, job development, and placement. The role reviews complex cases and provides internal policy direction and supervision to regional office VR&E staff through visits, inspections, data review, and written and verbal communication. The VREO maintains knowledge of special incentives and hiring preferences for Veterans, ensures outreach is conducted, and promotes workforce diversity consistent with merit system principles and the objectives of the EEO program.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling is unavailable. The position is not virtual and requires reporting to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Situational (ad hoc) telework may be approved on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval; routine or recurring telework is not authorized. Relocation expenses and services are authorized, subject to a 12-month continued Federal service agreement after the move. The position requires an annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450).

Requirements

• Meet the basic occupational requirement through a relevant bachelor's or higher degree, an equivalent combination of education and experience, or four years of appropriate experience demonstrating behavioral or social science knowledge equivalent to a major in the field.
• Have at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level or equivalent, including advanced and detailed knowledge of the VA VR&E Program.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of testing and evaluation, rehabilitation, job development and placement, and Chapters 18, 30, 31, 34, and 35 of Title 38, U.S.C.
• Have experience assessing local labor markets and Veteran employability; developing vocational goals and rehabilitation plan objectives; providing case management to Veterans pursuing plans; and explaining VR&E benefits and services orally and in writing.
• Meet the GS-15 time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at the GS-14 level, for current Federal GS employees, with supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Be a U.S. citizen and, for males born after December 31, 1959, meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Complete a one-year probationary or trial period, and, if not previously completed in a Federal position, a one-year supervisory probationary period.
• Be subject to a background/security investigation and complete the required online onboarding and employment eligibility documentation.
• Submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) before entering on duty and annually thereafter.
• Provide transcripts if qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience; education must be from an appropriately accredited institution. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise administration of eligibility determinations, vocational exploration, local labor market assessments, rehabilitation plan development, review of medical information, legally binding entitlement decisions, award adjustments and authorizations, and case management services.
• Provide administrative expertise across rehabilitation activities, including counseling, case management, rehabilitation plan development, job development, and placement.
• Review difficult and complex cases, including cases involving fraud, high-cost programs, independent living and home adaptation, category one and two self-employment, re-entry into rehabilitation programs, retroactive induction, and extension of entitlement.
• Provide internal policy direction and supervise regional office VR&E staff through on-site visits and inspections, review and analysis of standard or requested data, and individualized, telephone, and written communications.
• Maintain knowledge of special incentives and hiring preferences for Veterans and ensure outreach is conducted.
• Promote workforce diversity through recruitment, coaching, and developmental activities consistent with merit system principles, while supporting the objectives of the EEO program.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Relocation expenses and services (Permanent Change of Station) are authorized, subject to the stated 12-month service agreement.

What This Job Offers

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