In 1992 I was honorably discharged from the US Navy for medical conditions. A wonderful veteran name John Ciecko assisted me in securing my Veteran's Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits. I was able to obtain both my bachelor's degree and master's degree (in just 4 years) while enrolled in that program.
My experience with the Federal Employment Process began with my initial application for employment for the position of Secretary to the Director of the VARO 315 Huntington, WV. I found VBA to be very responsive to hiring veterans. My initial interview, job offering and hiring was a very swift process once selected. I worked very closely with Senior Management staff in that position for a brief period of time when the Acting Director and HR Manager began exploring additional employment opportunities with me at this station. I was appointed as a VA Fiduciary Field Examiner after only three months with the agency. This process was an amazing opportunity and I am thankful to have had such wonderful mentors for such a very short period of time. Their continued support and confidence in my abilities has me currently in a position performing a job with veteran's that is extremely rewarding to me on a very personal basis. My long term goal after obtaining my Master's degree has always been to put myself in a position where I can assist other veteran's in improving their quality of life just as a fellow veteran had done for me when I separated from the military. I am very pleased to say that I have obtained that goal with my current position!
A little more about my job: I represent the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Secretary in carrying out assigned responsibilities in the Fiduciary Unit. I make on-site decisions and unilateral initiation of action to protect the rights of VA beneficiaries and the Federal Government. I am responsible for determining capacity of beneficiaries to handle benefit payments and determining qualifying potential fiduciary appointees. I appoint and instruct Fiduciary on how to properly marshal VA benefits which includes developing facts and taking necessary actions on matters of verifying custody of minor Beneficiary, fund usage, Beneficiary’s welfare, needs of the dependents and other benefits Beneficiary or dependents may be entitled. I am also responsible for ensuring proper use of funds and welfare of Beneficiaries; investigating allegations of misuse; conducting onsite interviews; investigating non-fiduciary matters and making judgments regarding evidence; and administering oaths.
I LOVE MY JOB!!! My position with the federal government affords me the opportunity to help other veterans just as a veteran helped me.
I would and do encourage veterans interested in Federal Employment to make their application and use resources such as the VA Vocational Rehabilitation staff to secure employment. Although not necessary to obtain employment, VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are very quick to assist veterans both in the program and not with seeking employment. They make themselves and their resources available and they are very willing to educate veterans on how to prepare their KSA's if necessary. Another good resource for veteran's seeking Federal Employment is to simply talk to those of us already employed -- we are all open to helping veteran's improve their quality of life.
~~~ Veterans Helping Veterans