The Legal Administrative Specialist (LAS) serves as a member of the Public Contact Team (PCT), located in the Veterans Service Center. The incumbent provides in-depth information and comprehensive assistance to veterans their dependents and beneficiaries concerning any matter within the scope of VA benefits and related non-VA benefits.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinates counseling session with Veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries regarding all benefits available through the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, as well as non-VA benefits available through other agencies. Collaborates with the inquirer in determining the short-term and long-term circumstances that might influence a choice between various benefits. Programs include, but are not limited to, compensation and pension benefits, home loan eligibility, education, health care, life insurance, burial benefits, vocational rehabilitation services, fiduciary assistance, general Social Security Administration benefit programs, and other Federal, state, and local domestic relations and assistance programs. Ensures all established identification protocol procedures to provide proper validation of all inquirers prior to releasing protected information or taking any action that requires identity verification. Researches and analyzes data using referrals, transfers, or coordinating with appropriate offices outside the VA spectrum, often with other Federal or state agencies. Maintains a thorough working knowledge of the types of documents necessary to facilitate timely processing of claims and appeals and assists with obtaining and completing such documents and forms in accordance with the type of claim or appeal being submitted. Generates appropriate correspondence, as needed, to address inquiries. Serves as facility Point of Contact (POC) and advocate for veterans and their beneficiaries in their dealings with other VA elements and organizations that may affect their claims. Provides community outreach counseling and in-home counseling to those who are geographically isolated or physically unable to go to a VA facility due to physical or mental incapacity. Provides training to fellow employees and Veterans Service Organization employees (external stakeholders) on the technical aspects of the job in a manner which addresses individual learning needs and effectively offers feedback to identify and correct deficient areas. Reviews work produced by trainees and team members for accuracy and completion prior to submission to ensure the work product is necessary, meets the established quality parameters, and is appropriately routed. Identifies efficient opportunities for improvement for trainees and provides training consistent with training needs. Leads lower-graded employees to ensure tasks are completed within the deadlines established by the supervisor. Identifies needs of people seeking social services and coordinates with the appropriate nonprofit or government organization that supplies such services outside the VA level of care and coverage. Routinely identifies situations where public affairs implications or issues of such complexity and magnitude would warrant referral to leadership and refers them to superiors or other identified organizational elements. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8a - 4:30p Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: May be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Remote: This is not a remote position. Position Description/PD#: Public Contact Team Legal Administrative Specialist (Contact Rep)/02108A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: This position is mostly sedentary.

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/22/2024. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-10 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: For a GS-10 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (1) experience that has demonstrated the capability of being a self-reliant decision-maker and possessing the ability to work independently when providing customer service benefits counseling and claims processing. (2) The individual must possess in-depth knowledge of researching relevant subject matter. (3) The experience should be significantly and directly derived from federal, military, or the private sector. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to orating to persons from a wide variety of backgrounds regarding VA benefits programs; performing research of local, state, and Federal laws and regulations to determine Veterans' eligibility for benefits programs. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a masters degree plus one and a half years of progressively higher graduate education, or two and a half years of progressively higher graduate education. Combination Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. If selection is based (in part or in whole) on education, an official transcript will be required from the university/college to verify the degree.

PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Contacts

• Address Nashville Regional Benefit Office 110 9th Avenue S Nashville, TN 37203 US
• Name: Fletter Matlock
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]