Legal Administrative Specialist (Contact Representation).

About the Role

The Legal Administrative Specialist (LAS) serves as a member of the Public Contact Team in the Veterans Service Center. The incumbent provides in-depth information and comprehensive assistance to veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries concerning VA benefits and related non-VA benefits.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates counseling sessions with veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries face-to-face, by telephone, or through correspondence regarding all VA benefits and non-VA benefits available through other agencies.
• Explains VBA rating decisions in detail, using extensive knowledge of VA benefits, claim and appeal processing procedures, and benefit determination information.
• Assists with programs including compensation and pension benefits, home loan eligibility, education, health care, life insurance, burial benefits, vocational rehabilitation services, Social Security Administration benefit programs, and other federal, state, and local assistance programs.
• Prepares technical correspondence to veterans and their dependents providing benefit information, representation rights, and responses to inquiries.
• Explains pertinent legal provisions, regulations, and administrative practices and their application to specific cases.
• May serve as or with the Outreach Coordinator (e.g., Women's Veterans Coordinator, Minority Veterans Coordinator, Homeless Veterans Coordinator, Aging Veterans Coordinator, Ex-Prisoners of War Coordinator, or Military Services Coordinator).
• Initiates inquiries to resolve errors, delays, or other problems in obtaining benefits.
• Completes claim and appeal-related work.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period; continued employment depends on certification that it advances the public interest.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants must complete an online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification (REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (08/19/2026).

• Time-in-Grade Requirement: For a GS-10 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level in the Federal service. An SF-50 showing time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted.
• Specialized Experience (GS-10): Experience demonstrating the capability to work independently in providing customer service benefits counseling and claims processing, with in-depth knowledge of researching relevant subject matter. Examples include:
  • Orating to persons from varied backgrounds regarding VA benefits programs.
  • Performing research of local, state, and federal laws to determine veterans' eligibility for benefits.
• Education: Two and a half years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may substitute for experience. Graduate education must demonstrate competencies necessary for the position. Transcripts are required.
• Combination: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond two years may qualify applicants. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used.
• Volunteer Experience: Paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, is considered. Full-time employment is defined as at least 35 hours per week; part-time experience is credited proportionally.

Physical Requirements

• The work is mostly sedentary, with occasional walking, standing, and carrying of light items (e.g., papers, files).
• Extensive use of a computer and telephone with a headset is required.
• Long periods of talking may occasionally strain the throat/vocal cords.

Schedule

• Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
• Compressed/Flexible: Compressed schedule may be an option with approval from the division chief and agency policy.
• Telework: Eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only; must report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Routine telework is not authorized.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.