Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the following: Area I - Permanent (Tenure 1/2) T32 technicians of the MT Army National Guard (MTARNG), Area II - Indefinite (Tenure 3) MTARNG T32 technicians & MTARNG T5 permanent (Tenure 1/2) or term (Tenure 3) employees that are also military members of the MTARNG, Area III - military members of the MTARNG or T5 temporary (Tenure 0) employees that are also military members of the MTARNG.

Performs program development and the coordination of functions for the Military Funeral Honors Program (MFHP), which provides military funeral honor ceremonies for service members and veterans. The position serves as an agency coordinator for the statewide MFHP in promotion and coordination of the program through the education of the State's National Guard, active component, veteran's service organizations, and other Veteran's advocacy groups. Develops, implements, interprets, and publishes SOPs, policies, operating regulations, and procedures. Plans, develops, schedules, and makes recommendations for changes to MFHP. Responsible for creating a cooperative network of agencies, organizations, and individuals whose interactions can lead to an improved MFHP.

Develops, manages, and coordinates MFHP training for the state. Is responsible for maintaining the documentation and recording the certifications into the various NGB required systems. Recruits, organizes, and trains National Guardsmen from within the Guard communities to render Military Funeral Honors in a professional and dignified manner. The Military Funeral Honors Manager coordinates with NGB and the Regional Casualty Assistance Coordinator (CAC) for assistance and support in the conducting of training for the Military Funeral Honors/Casualty Assistance Programs in support of the State's Program.

Serves as the primary point of contact, coordinator, and advisor for questions regarding Military Funeral Honors and/or Casualty Assistance. Receives request for Honor Guard support, verifies eligibility, and assigns appropriate Funeral Honors Staff to perform the ceremony. Provides advisory services to family members of deceased military members (current and former), and serves as a liaison between the family, funeral directors, veterans services organizations, Veterans Affairs offices, National Guard Bureau (NGB), Regional CAC, and other military services. Provides assistance to the family members by advising them of the deceased member's entitlements and provides information or assistance with filling out any required forms. Maintains files and libraries of current funeral/casualty assistance material including policies, procedures, and guidance from Department of Defense (DoD), NGB, Regional CAC, and the Veterans Administration. Coordinates with the Regional CAC, funeral home, Honor Guard Teams, supporting military units, and each Casualty Assistance Officer/Casualty Notification Officer (CAO/CNO) to ensure all requests for funerals and casualty assistance are supported.

The Military Funeral Honors Program Coordinator (MFHPC) also interacts with the community by providing briefings on the capabilities of the program, eligibility requirements, and procedures to receive Honors, as well as the training for Military Funeral Honors. The MFHPC works with various community Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to provide certification for their Honor Guard Teams. Also works to develop a cooperative network of organizations and individuals whose interaction can lead a network of professional honor guard teams in all regions of the state.

MFHPC is responsible for consolidation of Military Funeral Honor's expense information used to make estimates for the program's annual operating budget. MFHPC participates in the establishment and control of fiscal programs necessary to ensure compliance with applicable state funding rules and regulations. MFHPC sets up controls to monitor expenses during the year and recommends budget adjustments including restructuring budget allocations to deal with changing situations and changes in the availability of funds. Maintains and transfers funds between several unrelated appropriated fund accounts. Serves as the program manager for travel orders, ensuring availability of funds, proper lines of accounting, reviewing orders for appropriate expenditures, and reviewing vouchers prior to submission to travel section for payment of travel claims. Reconciles un-liquidated obligations to maximize funds utilization and may serve on the Program Budget Advisory Committee (PBAC).

May direct the daily activities of a small staff assigned to assist in carrying out the operations of the state program. Assures the effective and efficient administration of activities supervised. Plans work to be accomplished by the team, responsible for setting and adjusting short term priorities. Assigns work to team members based on their capabilities. Provides input to the supervisor on performance evaluations. Advises, counsels, or instructs new employees on both work and administrative matters. May participate in interviewing candidates for vacant positions and recommends selections, evaluates and enacts minor disciplinary measures, identifies training needs of employees and assures the conduct of such training, and develops performance standards.

Serves as representative at conferences and meetings for MFHP.

Performs other duties as assigned

Conditions of employment

• NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the employing state's National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
• Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Appointments in the Title 32 MTNG technician program may terminate/suspend your military incentives; please see your MTNG Retention Office/Military Personnel Incentive Program Manager for details.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
• External applicants must be able to start within 6 months of selection.
• This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
• Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
• The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements and your organization.

Qualifications

Military Grades:
Enlisted E4 - E9;
Warrant WO1 - CW3


GENERAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Must have experience, education, or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration; experience compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information; progressively responsible experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled; experience using computer and automation systems.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE -OR- EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Must have one of the following:

A) 1 year of specialized experience, education or training equivalent to the GS-7 level; experience providing technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled; a thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and practices of management; experience developing administrative procedures. (MUST address your experiences in detail on resume as they relate to these specialized experiences, if using experience to qualify)

-OR-

B) Master's or equivalent graduate degree -or- 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree -or- LL.B. or J.D., if related. (Must submit transcripts with application, if using education to qualify.)

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.