Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Deputy Director of Benefits and Claims position is located in Washington, D.C. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Benefits and Claims section of The American Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Division. Develop policy and activities relative to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Board of Veterans Appeals. Serve as an advocate for veterans to Congress, the VA and other organizations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Serve as the resident expert on the VA compensation, pension, life insurance, and fiduciary processes, policies and regulations.
2. Advise the VA&R Director on technical information related to the claims process; evidence requirements; compensation and pension exams; benefit rates; special groups; Department of Defense (DoD) medical and physical evaluation boards; military discharge upgrades; corrections to military records; and other services.
3. Supervise and oversee the programs within the Benefits and Claims portfolio including the operation of The American Legion’s Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) staff in Indianapolis, Indiana, and remote offices at VA Pension Management Centers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and St. Paul, Minnesota.
4. Review, revise and develop procedures and programs, as a proponent of quality of development of veteran’s claims for disability compensation, including Regional Office Action Review (ROAR) as part of The American Legion’s System Worth Saving (SWS) program.
5. Plan, prepare, and execute of The American Legion Department Service Officer (DSO) education and training programs and annual symposium.
6. Communicate regularly with the Department Service Officers to provide regular updates as required.
7. Responsible for managing the VA accreditation process of The American Legion’s service officers.
8. Develop, analyze and coordinate short-, mid- and long-term plans for The American Legion’s VA&R-related programs.
9. Research and develop new policies, and initiate revisions to existing documents, ensuring The American Legion’s positions remain contemporary.
10. Prepare information for legislative mandates and monitor VA benefits-related issues presented to Congress.
11. Prepare and deliver Congressional testimony on behalf of the national organization.
12. Conduct and oversee research, studies and surveys that assist in the development of legislation or policy on veteran’s benefits.
13. Serve as a liaison with VA Central Office, Veterans Benefits Administration and VA staff offices.
14. Provide support to VA&R Commission, VA&R Commission Executive Committee, Veterans Benefits Committee, and the VA&R Council.
15. Prepare and manage Division budget 072 which is assigned to the Claims and Benefits Deputy Director.
16. Task and manage your staff’s priorities, tasks and workflow in support of the VA&R Director’s direction.
17. Supervise, train and mentor your staff while also documenting short-term counselings and annual evaluations.
18. Perform other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP (reports directly to): Director of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

Education/Technical Knowledge:

College education, four-year degree to provide basic familiarity with a variety of subjects.

Additional Skills Needed:

• Have knowledge of VA disability compensation claims process, and a basic understanding of VA health benefits and services.
• Be familiar with the Department of Defense (DoD)’s Integrated Disability Evaluation Systems (IDES); VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD); Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS); VA statutes and regulations; VA Office of General Counsel opinions; and decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court pertaining to veterans’ benefits.
• Must pass the VA requirement for a background investigation. A background investigation is conducted by VA to determine if the individual is suitable for access to VA facilities and information. The background investigation is completed for the protection of the veterans the VA serves, employees, family members, and visitors, as well as the veterans and national information and resources.
• Communicate effectively verbally in a diverse range of settings and audiences.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills.
• Demonstrate management skills to include coaching, mentoring, counseling and evaluating employees.
• Able to evaluate fiscal and financial reports, forms and data, and analyze complex written documents.
• Capable of interpreting legal documents and government regulations.
• Strong organizational, project, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with military and veterans’ protocol, culture and language.
• Knowledge of The American Legion organizational structure, programs, services and policies.
• Must have good computer skills to include MS Office Suite.

Experience:

5 yrs up to 8 yrs

Supervision of Others:

The position is responsible for recommendations in the areas of compensation, staff selection, disciplinary action, complaints, employee performance appraisal, and similar supervisory duties for a work unit. Plans, assigns and evaluates the work of subordinates while performing limited technical work not related to supervision. Supervises one or more functional supervisors.

OTHER JOB-RELATED FACTORS:

Involves studies of a theoretical nature with complex tangible and intangible data.

Physical Factors and Working Conditions:

The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, either corrective or uncorrected. Working conditions are within a well-lighted air-conditioned office environment. Employee may frequently travel. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the physical demands of the job.

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