Summary

The incumbent serves as Assistant Director & principal leader to the Senior Principal Advisor & other leadership on a wide array of Pre-Discharge Program activities. The incumbent is the responsible leader of the Pre-Discharge Programs staff members, who are integrally involved in the facilitation of partnership between VBA's Compensation Program Office & other federal agencies for the ownership of the Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program & the Integrated Disability Evaluation System.

Duties

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Specific duties include:

• Responsible leader of the Pre-discharge Programs staff members, who are integrally involved in the facilitation of partnership between VBA's Compensation Program Office and other federal agencies (Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, etc.).
• Leads staff in establishing procedures, collaborating in joint workgroups and drafting agreements that ensure interagency operations in support of transitioning service members, VA's military evidence gathering (for disability claims) and other applicable federal records.
• Serves as the primary leader for initial coordination and collaboration of respective program groups to address procedures, along with leading the implementation of changes affecting CS programs, field offices, and claims processing.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to recommend Pre-discharge Programs (Benefits Delivery at Discharge and Integrated Disability Evaluation System) policies and procedural interpretations; and, where necessary, formulates, VA's procedural guidance in support of efficient delivery of information and related compensation benefits to Veterans and their dependents.
• Manages Pre-Discharge Programs and program staff, working with executive leadership - to include the CS Director - and maintains an efficient flow of operational requirements to meet mission demands.
• Uses expert analytical ability and skill in completing daily duties.
• The incumbent is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and controlling all areas related to Pre-Discharge Programs and other special projects, as assigned.
• Develops and evaluates significant policies and proposals, prior to their consideration by the Senior Principal Advisor, to ensure that balanced and accurate documentation of all options are presented.
• Maintains a critical awareness of sensitive program developments and problems involving risk management for Pre-Discharge Program activities.
• Possesses extensive knowledge of VBA/VA programs and operations, as well as Military Services Integrated Disability Evaluation System and Separation Health Assessment Initiatives.
• Performs statistical analysis, comparatives studies and comprehensive reports to develop and recommend solutions to complex problems having national scope and applicability.
• Assesses the impact and significance of new or revised legislation, policies, procedures, and program requirements for compensation benefits. Analyzes management techniques, processes, and trends and developing and implementing comprehensive strategies for improving organizational effectiveness of Pre-Discharge Programs.
• The incumbent carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with policies and applicable laws

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible: Not Available

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Program Specialist/ Pre-Discharge Program Staff Assistant Director; PD389110

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• 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
• Selectees are required to service a one-year supervisory probationary period if not previously completed in a Federal position.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:06/15/2026.

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-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14 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 as described below:

GS-15 Grade Level:

• Specialized Experience must include: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-14) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. This experience should be in or related to the position.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position(s), and that is typically IN OR RELATED TO the work of the position to be filled. The applicant must document one year of experience which includes managing and assigning workload related to the application of Veterans benefits programing such as compensation, pension, fiduciary, and/or appeals; explaining benefit programs or decisions to multiple audience through various communication means such as orally or in writing.

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.

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 education substitution at the GS-15 grade level.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Supervisory Situational Judgement Test: Applicants will be required to complete a Supervisory Situational Judgment Test (SSJT) as part of the assessment process for this position. The SSJT evaluates judgment, decision-making, and leadership competencies associated with effective supervision in a Federal work environment. This is not a timed test, however, the assessment is expected to take approximately 45 minutes or less to complete. This assessment is required for all applicants. If you do not complete the assessment, it will result in an incomplete application and you will receive no further consideration.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.