The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Senior National Service Officer-Appeals (SNSO-Appeals) assists wounded service members with navigating the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and State Veterans Benefits programs as they pursue claims for injuries sustained during activity duty military service. The (SNSO-Appeals) is responsible for the proper drafting, editing, reviewing, and management of appealed issues before the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Draft decisions, including those of exceptional difficulty, complexity, or controversy, for review by a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ).
- Ensure proper drafting, editing, reviewing, and management of appealed issues before BVA.
- Review and evaluate the credibility and probative value of medical and lay evidence in claims files.
- Manage appeals dockets information and distribute electronically to field staff.
- Prepare appellate briefs and conduct hearings docketed at the Board of Veterans Appeals.
- Review administrative errors being prepared for submission to Central Office for consideration.
- Review Board of Veterans Appeals decisions and determine cases for consideration to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
- Assist the Benefits Training team to train WWP Benefits Services teammates on best practices in structuring arguments before the local VA Regional Offices, DROCs, and BVA.
- Conduct research on questions from Wounded Warrior Project’s policy and governmental affairs team and provide support to them.
- Develop relationships to foster a cooperative environment with the BVA Chairman/Chairwoman and Veteran Law Judges.
- Represent the interests of Wounded Warrior Project and cultivate relationships with Veterans Service Organizations at the Board of Veterans Appeals.
- Maintain Veterans Service Organization accreditation standards set forth by the VA Office of General Counsel.
- Maintain licensure through completion of yearly Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements of the District of Columbia, to include the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S. Federal Circuit Court.
- Support service officer training and advocacy on the appellate process as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree. Equivalent combination of education, experience, training, and certification may be considered in lieu of degree.
Skills/Experience:
- Expert knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to Veterans benefits, as set forth in Title 38 of the United States Code and the Code of Federal Regulations.
- Extensive knowledge of the Appellate Process.
- Demonstrated proficiency developing appellate and higher-level legal arguments.
- Demonstrated proficiency in all VA electronic systems, including appeals.
- Strong and effective research skills.
- Strong critical thinking skills with a demonstrated ability to problem-solve and identify viable solutions.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills. Demonstrated influencing skills.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize effectively and handle multiple priorities with tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to interact, collaborate, and operate effectively and establish and maintain professional relationships with government agencies, e.g., DoD, DVA, BVA, and internally with WWP teammates, e.g., Benefits Services team.
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills. Demonstrated understanding of relationship management and partnering. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional relationships and create a diverse network of resources.
- Effective presentation skills. Confident communicator, with demonstrated ability to present information effectively to large audiences, small groups, and individuals, facilitate discussion, and serve as a strong effective representative of WWP.
- Professional presence & demeanor. Demonstrated emotional intelligence. Ability to respond to sensitive matters with diplomacy and empathy.
- Ability to take initiative, multi-task, work independently, and work well under pressure. Demonstrated strong attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly motivated, passionate, and creative team player with demonstrated commitment to the organization.
- Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.
- Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.
- Five years of experience as a veteran’s benefits advocate. Juris Doctorate may be considered in lieu of advocate experience.
Preferences
- Juris Doctorate.
- Five years of experience working appeals under the jurisdiction of the Board of Veterans Appeals.
- Five years of experience developing appellate and higher-level legal arguments.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jul 2 2019
Active Until:
Aug 2 2019
Hiring Organization:
Wounded Warrior Project, Inc.
industry:
Nonprofit