The position is in the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) Office of Administrative Review (OAR) and reports to OAR's Executive Director. The incumbent will specifically, support the Executive Director with daily management, scheduling, controlling, and oversight of all operations and the administration of VBA's appeals and Higher-Level Review programs, directing the organization of 1,917 FTE. Furthermore, the incumbent will assist the Executive Director.

Duties

Specific duties include: The incumbent aids the Executive Director with actively supporting and promoting legislative proposals, national policies, and procedures, to include regulatory work, in support of the efficient processing of Higher-Level Reviews in VBA. Assesses the impact of draft legislation on VBA's appeals and Higher-Level Review program, provides views and costs of such draft legislation, and devises strategies for the orderly implementation of mandated changes. Advises and provides proposals to the OAR Executive Director regarding needed changes in DROC operations, or in policy and procedures to improve performance. Makes recommendations to the Executive Director and develops plans to implement transformational efforts. These efforts may involve organizational structure, policies, regulations, and procedures, position management, training and development, and operating budgets. Monitors progress towards established goals, reports on VBA's performance outcomes, and develops plans for improvement, if warranted. The position supports the OAR Executive Director by providing direct executive oversight and daily management of all activities related to operations at 3 DROCs. This duty entails the oversight of a program performance management model focused on in-depth review of metrics, evaluation of staffing variances at DROCs, and is aimed at managing effective performance with an over-arching emphasis on accountability. Ensures that all DROC operations are conducted in Crediting Plan the most effective manner and that they conform to all applicable laws, regulations, policies, standards, and procedures. The incumbent collaborates with the OAR Executive Director in providing technical and professional direction relating to appeals and Higher-Level Review processing to VBA personnel working in 3 DROCs and Special Mission sites. The means for providing such direction include policy statements, regulations, program guides, manuals, general operating instructions, and program evaluations. Provides regular briefings and updates to VA and VBA Executive Leadership and other stakeholders as requested. In the absence of the Executive Director, the incumbent may be called upon to conduct speeches and media interviews relating to VBA's appeals and Higher-Level Review program, as well as the Appeals Modernization Act. The incumbent serves under the direction of the OAR Executive Director, and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the OAR central office staff; the effective oversight of appeals and Higher-Level Review operations in 3 DROCs and Special Mission sites; and the overall effective management of VBA's appeals and Higher-Level Review programs. Possess delegated authority for the overall management of VBA's appeals and Higher-Level Review programs which are managed through subordinate organizational units and directed by subordinate senior-level managers. The incumbent makes independent decisions consistent with the broad grant of authority by the OAR Executive Director. Final work projects are reviewed by the OAR Executive Director for soundness of judgment, adequacy of justification, and effectiveness of presentation, with heavy weight given to the recommendations of the incumbent on all matters of fact and interpretation. Essential qualifications for this position include both general management skills and model manager characteristics applicable to GS-15 level positions including a demonstrated capacity for vision and forward thinking, professional integrity, effective communication skills, action and results orientation, resource management proficiency, leadership skills, and diversity awareness. The duties of this position require the incumbent to have a broad knowledge and understanding of the Department's basic policies, missions, and operating programs. Further, the incumbent must remain acutely aware of administration policies and government-wide initiatives having a direct impact on VBA's appeals and Higher-Level Review programs. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Manager (Deputy Director); PD# 39353O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Relocation expenses and services (Permanent Change of Station - PCS) are authorized for this recruitment. PCS is the relocation of a household due to government convenience in connection with the transfer between duty stations or facilities. In consideration of the payment of expenses for travel and transportation, the selectee agrees to remain in federal service for twelve (12) months following the date of transfer. Failure to complete all conditions of the obligated service may result in repayment of travel/transportation expenses. Click here for more information. Please note relocation incentive will be paid out over 2 years. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:01/19/2024. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50 that indicates proof of status, and shows Time in Grade (for example, you were a career or career-conditional employee) and identifies your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must also submit your most recent promotion or within-grade increase in addition to your recent SF-50. If you previously held a higher grade, you must also submit any SF-50 showing that grade. DO NOT submit Award SF-50's and/or General Adjustment SF-50's as they cannot be used to prove time-in-grade. For a GS-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14 level. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-15 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-14), in the normal line of progression for this occupation in the organization. Applicants must document experience delivering Veteran's benefits services in a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) business line or a Regional Office setting which includes all of the following: Broad understanding of Veterans Benefits Administration business lines and program offices; Analytical methods sufficient to oversee the development and implementation of programs and services; Monitoring and controlling program progression and effectiveness through analysis of policies, directives and organizational short and long-range goals; Establishing priorities and determining resource needs to meet program objectives; Directing, coordinating, and approving a full range of personnel management action sand organizational change proposals Education Substitution: There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although minimal effort may be required (e.g. walking, standing, carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle). For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Office of Administrative Review 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 US
• Name: Sandra Evans
• Phone: (410) 230-4537
• Email: [email protected]