This position is in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Medical Disability Examinations Office (MDEO) where the Chief of Inquiries is directly responsible for management of MDEO inquiries team directly responsible for managing external inquiries related to MDEO.

Duties

Specific duties include: The incumbent has responsibility for leading and supervising the inquiries and internal training team who is the primary point of contact for all MDEO inquiries and training of regional office staff in relation to MDEO processes including VBMS. Thorough knowledge of major program segments, program processes and procedures, organizational structures and/or functional responsibilities. Serves as a key advisor to the Assistant Director and/or Deputy Executive Director, MDEO on special issues raised by Veterans and other stakeholders. Communicates directly via phone, letter and email with those who submit concerns, complaints, suggestions and compliments directly related to the MDEO Is the primary collaborator between VHA and VBA medical disability programs in development of inquiry responses that involve VHA. Responsible for creation and maintenance of training materials on new MDE VBMS functionality and program processes for field personnel to properly order medical disability exams and adjudicate claims. Identifies and analyzes trends through MDEO quality reviews that provides training needs. Designs and develops MDEO training using all appropriate media to include classroom instruction, virtual instruction and computer/web-based training. Incumbent develops program content and supervises the writing of scripts and production of graphic materials for various training methods. Plans, executes, and oversees the assessment of field compliance with required training to Veterans Service center claims processors. Creates and maintains FAQs and other supporting documents as an adjunct to training. Works closely with operations and quality teams to measure effectiveness of training and adjust content based on data. Using evidenced-based decision making, presents analyses and recommendations verbally, in writing, and graphically to team members and VA/VBA leadership and external partners on a routine basis. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Plans and assigns work, sets priorities, advises employees on program goals and objectives, and makes decisions on work problems presented by subordinate employees. Assuring timely accomplishment of the assigned tasks by keeping in touch with the status and progress of work and adjusting in accordance with established priorities. Checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that supervisor's instructions on work sequences, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met. Provides strategic direction and support for team which are aligned with agency mission; exercise sound and proactive performance management and professional development of staff to include mentoring. Develops and maintains positive working relationships with key VA/VBA programs, MDEO contractors and other Agency staff in execution of operational goals. Provides regular briefings on VBA National calls, VBA conferences and VSO or stakeholder conferences/meetings, as required. Uses analytical, judgement, and problem-solving skills to work on short deadlines and resolve critical issues. Regularly advising supervisor and/or senior management officials on complex, sensitive, controversial and highly sensitive issues which may impact MDEO program. Developing concise, accurate responses to Congressional, White House or other inquiries in area of responsibility. Provides leadership in establishing and maintaining effective management processes and a work environment conducive to effective integration of technical functions of planning, resource management, and project management. Providing advice on specific Veterans concerns and making available artifacts, reference materials, and relevant background material. Maintaining current knowledge to respond to inquiries on legislation, policies, directives, etc., and to obtain needed information on decisions from supervisor on major problems and issues that come up. Evaluates program performance metrics, whether internally or externally produced, and briefs leadership on the implications of status, trends, and risk insights gained through the incumbent's analysis. Oversight of developing, testing, monitoring and documentation of effective internal controls for risk mitigation to ensure desired outcomes. Represents senior leadership at internal and external meetings with senior management Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Program Manager; PD# 39029-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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
• [INCLUDE IF POSITION IS SUPERVISORY] Selectees are required to service a one-year supervisory probationary period if not previously completed in a Federal position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:02/05/2024. 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. For a GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13 level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-14 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Experience performing work associated with planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluation of activities to ensure team and program goals are met. Providing recommendations for organizational improvements in support of organizational goals and objectives. 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: Primarily sedentary. 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 not educational requirement at the GS-14 grade level.

Contacts

• Address VBA Human Resources Center - Central Office 810 Vermont Ave NW Washington, DC 20420 US
• Name: Cephus Hales-Richardson
• Phone: 410-230-4400
• Email: [email protected]