The Under Secretary for Benefits provides leadership and direction for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), a large component of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The Under Secretary for Benefits reports directly to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on non-medical Veterans benefits matters.  The Under Secretary serves as the Secretary's representative on matters relating to Veterans benefits programs and must be committed to the priorities, goals, and objectives of the Department.

The Under Secretary formulates and articulates VBA policies to implement the policies and programs of the Department.  The Under Secretary is charged with addressing specific challenges to improve VBA's benefits delivery services in all program areas.  Specifically, these challenges include providing timely and accurate disability claims decisions as the volume of new claims and the complexity of those claims continue to steadily increase; ensuring timely delivery of benefits to the increasing numbers of veterans participating in VA education programs; maintaining the integrity of the loan guaranty program in a changing economy and housing market; and vocationally rehabilitating and counseling disabled Veterans seeking employment opportunities. The benefits provided include compensation for service-connected disabilities; pensions for aged, needy, and totally disabled Veterans and Veterans' survivors; vocational rehabilitation and employment services; educational and training assistance; home buying assistance; estate protection services for Veterans under legal disability; information and assistance through personalized contacts and outreach programs to separating service members and other special groups of Veterans; and life insurance programs.

Conditions of employment

• US citizenship is required.
• Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) is required.
• Successful completion of a background investigation
• Complete White House Presidential Personnel vetting process successfully
• Senate Confirmation
• Drug Testing Required

Candidates for the Under Secretary position must be highly effective leaders who have proven ability or potential to direct the operations of a large integrated benefits system which is committed to the high-quality of our Nation's Veterans, implement the Secretary's guidance to transform VA, and serve as an accountable and innovative steward of the human capital and financial resources to VBA.

Qualifications

By law, the Under Secretary for Benefits shall be appointed solely on the basis of:

• Demonstrated ability in fiscal management; and
• Substantial experience in connection with the programs of the Veterans Benefit Administration or programs of similar content and scope.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Step 1:  Minimum qualifications.

Step 2:  Screening by Executive Board to determine group of candidates to be considered by the Commission.

Step 3:  The Commission interviews the most qualified candidates.

Step 4:  The Commission recommends the final candidates for consideration by the Secretary and the President.

You will be evaluated based upon your resume, application or curriculum vitae, and an interview if invited to appear before the Commission.