PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR / ASST. CHIEF

Requisition No: 858661 

Agency: Veterans Affairs

Working Title: PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR / ASST. CHIEF

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 50202208 

Salary:  $53,610 to $69,175 

Posting Closing Date: 08/16/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Requisition #858661

Internal Agency – Only Current Employees of the Agency are Eligible to Apply

Assistant Chief of Veterans Field Services - SES

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

Bureau of Field Services

The Starting Annual Salary will fall within the range of: $53,610 - $69,175 depending on level of education, rank and related experience. 

Excellent retirement package and optional deferred compensation plan.  Health, vision, dental, disability and other supplemental insurance available at reasonable premium rates.  Paid vacation and sick leave. Nine (9) paid state holidays and one (1) paid personal holiday.  Tuition waiver available for Florida State Universities and Community Colleges (up to 6 credits per semester). Education and employment history must be verifiable.  Please attach any claimed credentials (degrees, certifications, etc.) to your application.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

To meet the requirements for this position, the applicant MUST:

• Must be a current employee of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Have three (3) years of experience supervising Veterans Service Officers.

• Be an honorably discharged Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. 

• Hold a bachelor’s degree OR have completed the rank equivalent to E-7 in the military.

• Have seven (7) years of experience counseling Veterans in regard to state and federal benefits and assistance and five (5) years of experience in a supervisory position, either in Veteran’s benefits or during active military service.

• Possess a valid Florida driver's license (due to extensive travel requirements).

• Be willing and able to travel up to 30 percent of the time to represent the Agency and Division Director at functions.

• Have the ability to attend, participate and train at meetings, seminars, boards, certification and semi-annual FDVA/CVSO training events. 

• Have excellent communication skills with the ability to accurately write, draft, edit and release official state correspondence per Governor’s correspondence rules, reports, plans and documents. 

• Possess superior working knowledge of VA computer applications such as SHARE, CASEFLOW, MAPD, VBMS and SEP, as well as VetraSpec, Excel and PowerPoint presentations, in order to prepare pertinent reports. 

• Possess outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills. 

• Have the ability to respond to inquiries with accurate and complete information to State and Federal congressional staff and offices, Florida County offices and the general public. 

• Possess the ability to prepare and present classroom instruction for multiple subjects concerning Veterans benefits for various audiences. 

• Have the ability to partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with all federal facilities and headquarters within the State. 

• Have the ability to prepare and maintain reports and documents as required by the Division and State. 

• Have the ability to monitor and assist in filling personnel vacancies in the Bureau of Field Services, ensuring all personnel requirements, Veterans preference, local and state regulations are in compliance. 

• Have the ability to evaluate Bureau of Field Services personnel to ensure compliance with division and department personnel policies and monitor and supervise training and annual certification of Veterans Service Officers. 

• Be accredited to American Legion

• Successful completion of Level 2 background screening and due diligence process.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The incumbent is assigned to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, as an Agency, reporting directly to the Chief, Bureau of Field Services, and will perform the following duties:

• Establish and initiate bureau office policies and procedures; implement federal, state and division policies and procedures; provide effective leadership and direction for subordinates in the investigation and solutions of problems in the areas of bureau administration and veteran benefit programs.  Assume direct responsibility for all bureau operations and daily activities, including coordination and interaction with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operating within the state of Florida to insure a smooth and functional relationship enhancing productivity and customer satisfaction.  Respond to inquiries from, but not limited to, the Governor’s office, legislators, the Board of Directors, County Veterans Service Officers and National Service Organization representatives, Veterans and their family members.

• Delegate bureau authority in line with division policies and procedures, exercising control as circumstances require to facilitate and secure sound administration from all subordinates in their respective professional and technical programs; analyze and evaluate procedures, results and accomplishments in each program to identify and correct problem areas, direct performance improvement measures and re-evaluate to assure maximum quality productivity and service at minimum cost.  Ensure the Voter Registration Program is utilized and functioning in the bureau.

• Direct bureau program planning, integrating workload forecasts for all bureau functions and facilitate services and utilize workload monetary needs for personnel, materials, supplies, equipment and space, in accordance with mandatory state and departmental instructions concerning both fiscal and operating plans.  Direct organizational planning and integration of operations crossing section lines.  Establish and maintain effective communications to achieve coordination and communication within the bureau, and upward to the division level. 

• Provide recommendations to the director in the process of compiling, organizing, formulating and presenting the bureau budget monthly, annually and for other special budgets as occasion arises; effect a balanced distribution of allocated funds among program functions managing and reapportioning funds periodically in relation to current needs based on workload, standards, legislative changes and other vital considerations; exercise controls to assure that obligations and expenditures incurred are in line with allotted funds.  Assist division personnel in developing and submitting cohesive financial requirement packages in support of division goals and initiatives. 

• Direct and monitor the bureau-training program, ensuring that plans, coordination and controls are effectively and efficiently utilized to provide maximum training.  Assist in preparation and implementation of certification training programs required by US Department of Veterans Affairs to comply with federal, state and local certification programs and quality training of state Veterans Affairs Officers and others requiring department certification.

• Support annual training programs designed to provide refresher certification training and testing.  Establish and effect employee driven quality expectations, meeting customer expectations, continuous improvement by utilizing the team’s problem-solving skills, and establishing an organizational culture, which promotes achievement through sound management practices.  Coordinate appropriately and effectively with the Bureau of Veterans Claims and the State Approving Agency in assisting veterans who require assistance outside of the Bureau of Field Services.

• Implement continuing programs for the effective application of manpower utilization and controls to achieve accurate measurement of work output in terms of standard work hours produced as compared to mandatory work ratio standards; appraise bureau performance and effectiveness; determine, analyze and correct substandard conditions; direct development and utilization of corrective and preventive measures within authority and consistent with established policy. Prepares reports by collecting, analyzing and documenting data; supports the division director and produces information by, but not limited to transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying and transmitting text, data and graphics.

• Monitor and establish effective communications between Veterans’ Claims Examiners, Supervisors and Administrative Staff, committed to quality, meeting customer expectations, continuous improvement efforts through problem solving skills and establishing an organizational culture, which promotes a harmonious and cordial atmosphere of professionals dedicated to Florida Veteran’s advocacy.  Monitor performance to determine needed re-training, and/or Personnel Improvement Programs and provide discipline as necessary.

• Direct the administration of a comprehensive personnel program; control the utilization of supplies and equipment and direct the bureau program for the utilization of all available space to the advantage of bureau and employees.

• Effect coordination with both state, and federal, agencies to ensure that Veteran’s benefit from all applicable laws and regulations within a timely manner and that no benefits are withheld or denied from eligible veterans or family members.  Initiate corrective action(s) where veterans’ needs, and entitlements, are not being met.

• Ensure availability and easy access to provide feedback to federal, state, and local officials when benefits are delayed or withheld. 

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief, Bureau of Field Services.

This is a Select Exempt Service (SES) position.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.