JOB TITLE: SPECIAL ADVISOR FOR WOMEN AND MINORITY VETERANS, DMVA

JOB CODE: 08770

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible and specialized work serving as the principal advisor to the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs on matters related to women and minority veterans in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

The employee in this job develops policies and specialized strategies to increase and enhance the participation of women, minority, and underserved and underrepresented veterans’ groups in federal, state, and local benefits, services, and programs. Work involves identifying and resolving policy issues, recommending and developing policies and proposed legislation, and exploring cultural and socioeconomic differences to develop, improve, and conduct outreach efforts. Work includes identifying opportunities to establish partnerships between governmental and community veterans’ organizations and acting on behalf of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs at meetings and public events. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs and is reviewed for results achieved.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Advises the Adjutant General, the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs, and other senior level staff concerning federal and state women and minority veterans’ policy issues, veterans’ benefits and services provision, and highly sensitive legislative, policy, and programmatic changes.

• Facilitates the planning, development, and management of comprehensive women and minority veterans’ programs across internal and external organizations to raise awareness and to provide benefits where emergent needs are identified.

• Advances and promotes the use of veterans’ benefits, programs, and services for women and minority veterans and other underserved or underrepresented veterans’ groups by supporting and initiating activities that educate and sensitize staff to their needs and by raising awareness about available resources and services.

• Develops and oversees the implementation of policies and procedures for internal and interagency operations related to women and minority veterans.

• Facilitates the development of new and innovative techniques, programs, performance measures, and initiatives to address the needs of women and minority veterans and other underserved or underrepresented veterans’ groups.

• Advocates for the creation and revision of legislation, policies, benefits, services, programs, and initiatives affecting women and minority veterans and other underserved or underrepresented veterans’ groups.

• Determines outreach efforts for women and minority veterans and other underserved or underrepresented veterans’ groups through community networks and partnerships by identifying gaps and improving access to services.

• Develops methodologies to address cultural and socioeconomic differences impacting women and minority veterans, such as those that create barriers for subpopulations, at-risk groups, and underserved groups.

• Evaluates the programs and methods used to deliver services to women and minority veterans and other underserved or underrepresented veteran populations and implements changes to meet their needs.

• Represents the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs at meetings and conferences with federal, state, and local officials, and at media events.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and standards governing the administration of veterans benefits and services.

• Knowledge of military career skills and military discharge programs and characterizations.

• Knowledge of common challenges experienced by veterans, relevant resources available to them, and methods for their successful reintegration to civilian life.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of policy and program planning, development, and evaluation.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in data collection and analysis.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of advocacy in public and administrative settings.

• Knowledge of effective outreach techniques.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Five years of professional administrative or consultative experience that includes one year in veterans’ services or benefits advocacy or administration, and a bachelor’s degree;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires prior service in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and separation under honorable conditions.

• The employee in this job must obtain a valid accreditation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a veterans service officer within 1 year of hire.