Congressional Liaison Representative

Veterans Benefits Administration; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Benefits Administration seeks a Congressional Liaison to engage with congressional aides and other outside entities to resolve inquiries about difficult cases and questions about VBA benefits. The incumbent reviews all inquiries from Congress, White House, and Secretary to determine proper disposition, using computer systems and claims folders.

The role requires time-in-grade readiness for GS-09, with demonstrated experience rating and appealing veterans' benefits claims, and the

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 level required for GS-09.
• Specialized experience includes developing, rating and appealing veterans' benefits claims.
• Education can substitute for experience with a master's or 2 years of graduate study or a related law degree.
• Combining Education & Experience can total 100% of the requirement.
• Volunteer experience is recognized as valuable.
• Physical requirements include sedentary work with some standing, walking and light lifting.

Responsibilities

• Communicates with congressional aides and outside entities to resolve inquiries.
• Reviews congressional, White House, Secretary and other inquiries to determine proper disposition; uses computer systems and reviews claims folders.

Skills

Time-in-grade requirements

Specialized experience requirements

Education substitution options

Combining Education & Experience

Volunteer experience

Physical requirements

Hours per week guidance

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

LL.B. or J.D. degree (related)

2 graduate years leading to degree

Job description

The Congressional Liaison communicates with congressional aides and other outside entities telephonically to resolve inquiries about difficult cases and questions about VBA benefits. The incumbent reviews all the Congressional, White House, Secretary and other special inquiries received by letter and telephone in order to determine the proper disposition of these inquiries. This review includes use of the computer systems and review of claims folders.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:09/08/2026.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT:

As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. If you are a current VBA employee requesting reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS- 09 or higher and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least None. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT:

• GS-09 Grade Level Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07).
• Specialized Experience is defined as work that involves the developing, rating and appealing Veterans' benefits claims.
• Alternatively, specialized experience can be defined as researching and communicating the status of veterans' claims at their various stages in the process.
• Examples include:
  • Counseling veterans, their dependents and their beneficiaries regarding their benefits
  • Serving as a liaison between government personnel, representatives of business and industry, trade and professional associations, the media, or the public
  • Analyzing claims and initiating action to obtain all required evidence to support the claim.
  • Conducting comprehensive discharge briefing to large groups.
• OR Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have: A master's or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of an LL.B. or J.D degree, if related.
• OR Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement.

Click here for more information.

Volunteer Experience

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Full vs. Part-Time Employment

Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily sedentary, with periods of standing, walking, and minimal lifting (under 20 pounds). For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.