CASUALTY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SPECIALIST (T32)

Clarification from the agency

Title 32 CAT 1- All on board Federal Employees/Technicians within the ALARNG (T32 and T5, Permanent and Excepted Indefinite) CAT 2- Current Army M-Day and Temporary Technicians within ALARNG CAT 3- Applicants willing to become NG T32 DS Technicians and gain ALARNG membership, all current federal employees, all U.S. Citizens

(1) The primary purpose of this position is to provide administrative support to states that occur casualties while soldiers are in a duty and non duty status. The incumbent of this position provides support to Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Center (CMAOC), Soldiers, Commanders, Federal agencies, Casualty Notification/Assistance Officers, Military Funeral Honors teams, funeral/cemetery directors, NOK, relatives, and other interested parties. This is considered a high visibility position, because of the variety of people and the mental state (bereaved) of persons being assisted. Inability to provide excellent service can and may result in concerns being escalated to General Officer, Congressional or higher levels. Receives notifications, initiates casualty reports, contacts unit responsible for notification, briefs key personnel, assists Funeral Details, and provides assistance to Next of Kin (NOK) and other interested parties. Responsible for 24/7 casualty management within the assigned state. Able to respond when state casualty reports are generated. Responsible for training casualty management alternates to take charge of operations when manager is not available.

(2) Receives notification of all death's and/or casualties. Such as, the death or believed to be death, serious or very serious illness or injury, or special category; of a soldier in a duty and non-duty status. Notifies the chain of command of incident, paying particular attention to cases with special requirements (Medal of Honor recipients, General Officers etc.), ones of a sensitive nature or if the case appears to have above average media or political interest and any problems that are encountered. Upon receipt obtains available information and initiates casualty report. Makes telephonic contact with DA and reports information locally in accordance with procedures. Notifies the Casualty Assistance Center (CAC) for notification of NOK (next-of-kin). Assist the CAC to ensure casualty notification is completed in a timely manner. Assist the CAC with assignment of a trained Casualty Assistance Officer. Once notification responsibility has been determined incumbent makes contact with the Casualty Notification Officer. Briefs notification officer of any specials need or concerns in regards to the soldier. Performs follow-up to ensure NOK was properly notified according to procedures and informs unit and state leadership of notification.

(3) Receives notification of death of veterans with requests for burial honors and forwards the request to appropriate state Military Funeral Honors personnel. Ensures identification of team by name, if possible and monitors performance through contact with team and funeral home. Identifies those cases where exceptions to normal policy may be necessary and notifies supervisor. Also, notifies supervisor if any problems are encountered or if the case appears to have above average media or political interest.

(4) Works hand in hand with the Casualty Assistance Officer and the Survivor Outreach Services personnel to ensure that all of the surviving family members needs are addressed and taken care of. Assist the CMAOC and CAC in preparing travel orders and assists with necessary arrangements for those directed to travel in conjunction with notification, assistance and honors. Assist the CMAOC and CAC with travel orders and makes arrangements for those NOK traveling due to serious illness/injury, death and funerals. Assists travelers with preparation of travel voucher as necessary. Prepares and submits reports for all casualties and documents all associated actions and inputs data in appropriate databases.

(5) Briefs personnel on the most current procedures for casualty notification, NOK assistance and burial honors. Conducts Casualty Assistance/Notification training to all units within the state, and provides training classes as required. Provides refresher training to CNO/CAO's when tasked by the CAC to provide the notification and assistance after a casualty with the state. Assist the Summary Court Marshall Officer (SCMO) in resolving any issues that arise and support them in the performance of their duties.

(6) Composes correspondence that requires reference to regulations, related correspondence manuals, etc. Prepares a variety of materials, narrative correspondence, forms, reports, etc. Uses a computer system in the preparation of different reports necessary to complete actions on all cases. Maintains forms, files, and data base/share drive related to casualty tracking and assignment of notification and assistance officers.

(7) Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
• This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
• Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
• Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
• Incumbent is subject to being on-call after normal duty hours, including weekends and holidays. May be required to work via telephone/computer or return to the work place.

Qualifications

MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military grade in the Alabama Army National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Alabama Army National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact an Alabama Army National Guard recruiter at 800-464-8273 prior to applying for this position.

MINIMUM MILITARY RANK: SSG
MAXIMUM MILITARY RANK: SGM

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Each applicant must fully substantiate (in his/her own words) that he/she meets the requirements of the Specialized Experience listed below: Otherwise, the applicant will be considered unqualified for this position. DO NOT COPY THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE POSITION DESCRIPTION. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE POSITION.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience, education or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration. 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: 1 year specialized experience, education or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants must have experience providing technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled. Applicants must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and practices of management. Experience developing administrative procedures.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
-- Knowledge of the Army casualty and memorial affairs program in order establish, implement, and manage all phases of the care and assistance to family members.

-- Knowledge of the Casualty and Memorial Affairs Operations Center (CMAOC) organizational structure, functions, policies, procedures, and legislation in order to provide decisions and sound judgment in researching and responding to varied topics of correspondence from a number of sources and to assist Division personnel in their composition of such correspondence.

-- Knowledge of commonly applied military personnel principles, concepts, legal requirements, and methodology to gather facts, responds to questions, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide advisory services.

-- Knowledge of the regulatory and policy material from Department of Defense (DOD), DA, HRC, and HQ USAREUR to determine changes resulting from new directives within the framework of such guidance.

-- Knowledge of the organization, mission, functions, and operations of the installation serviced and higher echelon organizations.

-- Ability to interpret and apply regulations, procedures and/or precedents to provide advice and solve specific problems.

-- Ability to analyze facts, identifies problems, report findings, make conclusions, and recommend corrective or other appropriate action.

-- Must be able to analyze issues relevant to casualty operations, evaluate the situation and take actions accordingly. Requires complete understanding of Casualty Notification and Assistance and Summary Court Marshal Officer responsibilities.

-- Knowledge of the interrelationships of military personnel programs sufficient to properly refer management and service members for assistance and technical problem solving.

-- Skills in oral communications to present training and briefings.

-- Ability to use the computer and software applications in support of office functions and preparation of reports and briefings

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.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

2. Other supporting documents: SF-50s, transcripts and DD 214s are recommended, but not required.

Next steps