This position is located with the G1 in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of this position is to plan, develop, manage, implement, coordinate and direct the State National Guard Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) Program, serve as the single point of contact in the state by advising all Army and Air National Guard members, family members, senior leadership, managers, and supervisors on the myriad of constantly evolving benefits and entitlements available through the Department of Veterans Affairs, TRICARE Military Health System, and the Department of Defense, resolve problems encountered when accessing benefits and entitlements to these programs and track wounded Guard members from OCONUS to the military treatment facility back to their home state.

DUTIES (condensed):

Serves as the Joint Force Headquarters (State) consultant on the TAA Program and VA benefits. Manages the state/territory TAA Program. Serves as the policy advisor in the development and implementation of the Transition Assistance Advisor Program. Develops, directs, manages, implements, coordinates, and evaluates the human service delivery system to ensure that military and family members understand and obtain the entitlements, benefits and services authorized and available to them. Coordinates with the Air National Guard (ANG) Military Personnel Flight (MPF), ANG Medical Squadron, Army National Guard (ARNG) J-1 directorate, ARNG Medical Command, the Family Program Office, the National Guard Bureau, and other State National Guard components. Provides assistance, guidance, information and support to Guard members and their families in understanding and obtaining entitlements, benefits and services through Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and the military health system after mobilization. Establishes close working relationships and coordinates with appropriate Veterans Affairs, TRICARE, Veteran Service Organizations, and other community-based resources to provide required information and assistance. Establishes and conducts briefings or arranges for Veteran Affairs/Veteran Service Organization representatives to brief Guard members and their families on available entitlements, VA disability claims processing, benefits, and information resources in the mobilization and demobilization process. Counsels Guard members and their families on entitlements and benefits such as: Veteran Affairs health, compensation and pay, education, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance, home loans, and burial benefits as well as TRICARE, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid health benefits, job placement, and readjustment counseling. Coordinates with the Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) to ensure a seamless transition from the military health network into comparable Veterans Administration (VA) and civilian programs upon the member's return to the state. Coordinates support needed through Family Programs and other State resources. Conducts briefings at armories, wings and other locations as required throughout the state to educate and advise service members, retirees, veterans, and family members on the full range of benefits and entitlements regardless of military status. Coordinates with the military units and State public affairs office to advertise these briefings within the local community.

Serves as an advisor to the state Adjutant General (TAG) on the TAA Program for the state/territory. Provides advice and counsel to the state Adjutant General, Governor, senior leadership and management; and coordinates with Family Program Office, Employer Support Groups, Military Treatment Facility (MTF), Medical Squadron, Military Personnel Flight and J-1 regarding entitlements available through Department of Veterans Affairs and other entitlement, resources, benefits and recommended changes to legislation on Guard member benefits. Coordinates and briefs the functions and services of the Transition Assistance Advisor Program with statewide executives, senior business leaders, legislators and various organizations such as the State Funeral Directors Association, Veterans Association, and state Veterans Service Organizations.

Coordinates with the State Deputy Surgeon and the NGB Warrior Support Office in order to identify and track Guard members who have been wounded while on Active Duty status. Identifies Guard members at OCONUS Medical Treatment Facilities and tracks personnel to the military treatment facilities in CONUS. Establishes contact with Guard or family member in order to introduce the services of TAA Program and ensure that benefits information is relayed. Assures Guard member that tracking will continue and follow up provided by TAA so that Guard member and family is educated specifically on State Department of Veterans Affairs and other State entitlements. Travels to the military treatment facility to personally meet with the Guard member and act as state representative.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• ARIZONA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. Prior to appointment into this position, selectee must be a current member of the Arizona Army National Guard, in a military organization supported by the G1.
• 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.
• Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
• 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.
• 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 trial period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Incumbent must possess and maintain a current state driver’s license.
• Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
• Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.

Qualifications

Military Grades:

Enlisted: SSG/E-6 to SFC/E-7
Warrant Officer: WO1/W-1 to CW2/W-2
Officer: 2LT/O-1 to 1LT/O-2

Compatible Military Assignments: Possess an Army MOS or Army Branch

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Must possess at least 1 year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Experience, education or training in program or managerial experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to the position to be filled or in comparable work or functions. Experience developing and recommending policy; organizing and carrying out specific programs, evaluating and recommending changes in methods of operations. Experience in supervisory, staff or technical work which included study, analysis or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of managerial or administrative policies, practices and procedures. Experience preparing written communications and oral presentations.

NOTE: See Duties

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

1. Knowledge of, and skill in applying a wide range of U.S. Codes and U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Army (DA), Department of Air Force (DAF), and National Guard Bureau (NGB) laws, regulations, policies, and precedents sufficient to develop, implement and manage a comprehensive Transition Assistance Advisor Program and provide state level counseling of Veterans Affairs, TRICARE entitlements, health/life insurance, burial benefits, Social Security benefits, etc. Requires the knowledge and skill in analyzing complex issues/problems, performing intense research to determine eligibility and coverage of specific entitlements, and resolve complex problems and issues when guidelines are not specific.

2. Thorough knowledge of the various military and family benefit and entitlement programs, available to military personnel and families such as Veterans Benefits, TRICARE Military Health System etc.

3. Knowledge of all military benefits and programs such as Veteran Affairs, health, compensation and pay, education, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance, home loans, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid health benefits and burial benefits.

4. Knowledge of the rules and procedures that apply to the National Guard traditional and full-time employees, i.e., dual status (DS) Active Guard Reserve (AGR), Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS), Title 10, Title 32, retirees, etc.

5. Skill in oral and written communication techniques sufficient to develop and deliver transition assistance briefings. Knowledge of training concepts and practices. Written and oral skill in developing and presenting entitlement related programs and policies to management and Guard/family members, retirees, etc., and assist them in gaining acceptance and understanding of findings and recommendations.

To apply for this position, you MUST SUBMIT a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume must provide the following information for proper evaluation:

• Name
• Phone Number
• Work experience related to the job for which you are applying; details to include, job title (if federal, include pay plan, series and grade), work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment, employer's name, supervisor's name and contact number, and duties performed. NOTE: Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed below. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position. If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified.

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