MILITARY FUNERAL HONOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR with Security Clearance

Duties The purpose of the position is to serve as the primary point of contact, coordinator, and manager of the daily functions of the Military Funeral Honors Program, and serve as the advisor for questions regarding Military Funeral Honors and to provide Casualty Assistance as required. (1) Performs program development and the coordination of functions for the Military Funeral Honors Program (MFHP), which provides military funeral honor ceremonies for service members and veterans. The position serves as an agency coordinator for the statewide MFHP in promotion and coordination of the program through the education of the State's National Guard, active component, veteran's service organizations, and other Veteran's advocacy groups. Develops, implements, interprets, and publishes SOPs, policies, operating regulations, and procedures. Plans, develops, schedules, and makes recommendations for changes to MFHP. (2) Develops, manages, and coordinates MFHP training for the state. Is responsible for maintaining the documentation and recording the certifications into the various NGB required systems. Recruits, organizes, and trains National Guardsmen from within the Guard communities to render Military Funeral Honors in a professional and dignified manner. The Military Funeral Honors Manager coordinates with NGB and the Regional Casualty Assistance Coordinator (CAC) for assistance and support in the conducting of training for the Military Funeral Honors/Casualty Assistance Programs in support of the State's Program. (3) Serves as the primary point of contact, coordinator, and advisor for questions regarding Military Funeral Honors and/or Casualty Assistance. Receives request for Honor Guard support, verifies eligibility, and assigns appropriate Funeral Honors Staff to perform the ceremony. Provides advisory services to family members of deceased military members (current and former), and serves as a liaison between the family, funeral directors, veterans services organizations, Veterans Affairs offices, National Guard Bureau (NGB), Regional CAC, and other military services. Provides assistance to the family members by advising them of the deceased member's entitlements and provides information or assistance with filling out any required forms. Maintains files and libraries of current funeral/casualty assistance material including policies, procedures, and guidance from Department of Defense (DoD), NGB, Regional CAC, and the Veterans Administration. (4) The Military Funeral Honors Program Coordinator (MFHPC) also interacts with the community by providing briefings on the capabilities of the program, eligibility requirements, and procedures to receive Honors, as well as the training for Military Funeral Honors. The MFHPC works with various community Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to provide certification for their Honor Guard Teams. Also works to develop a cooperative network of organizations and individuals whose interaction can lead a network of professional honor guard teams in all regions of the state. (5) MFHPC is responsible for consolidation of Military Funeral Honor's expense information used to make estimates for the program's annual operating budget. MFHPC participates in the establishment and control of fiscal programs necessary to ensure compliance with applicable state funding rules and regulations. MFHPC sets up controls to monitor expenses during the year and recommends budget adjustments including restructuring budget allocations to deal with changing situations and changes in the availability of funds. Maintains and transfers funds between several unrelated appropriated fund accounts. (6) May direct the daily activities of a small staff assigned to assist in carrying out the operations of the state program. Assures the effective and efficient administration of activities supervised. Plans work to be accomplished by the team, responsible for setting and adjusting short term priorities. Assigns work to team members based on their capabilities. Provides input to the supervisor on performance evaluations. Advises, counsels, or instructs new employees on both work and administrative matters. May participate in interviewing candidates for vacant positions and recommends selections, evaluates and enacts minor disciplinary measures, identifies training needs of employees and assures the conduct of such training, and develops performance standards. (7) Serves as representative at conferences and meetings for Military Funeral Honors Programs. (8) Performs other duties as assigned. **REFER TO PD FOR FULL LIST OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES** Requirements Conditions of Employment * This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the Vermont National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement; * Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation; * Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position; * May be required to successfully complete a probationary period; * May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required; * Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service; * Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform; * Participation in direct deposit is mandatory; * Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. * *NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact 1-800-GO-GUARD or visit NATIONALGUARD.COM/VT prior to applying for this position. Qualifications NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is a Title 32 excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the National Guard. 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 Vermont Army National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact 1-800-GO-GUARD or visit NATIONALGUARD.COM/VT prior to applying for this position. OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1, 2,3, 4 Area I: All current On-board Permanent and Indefinite Dual Status 32 and Title 5 (Competitive and Excepted) Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) - Only those Vermont National Guard members who are in permanent or indefinite technician status as a result of being competitively hired within that National Guard component applying for a position within the component which they are currently employed. Area II: All Members of the Vermont Army National Guard. Area III: Currently assigned service members in other branches of the military outside of the VTNG, to include those assigned to Active Duty, Reserve or other state's National Guard. Area IV: All individuals able to and willing to become members of the Vermont National Guard. Military Grade/Rank: PVT/E1 through MSG/E8 Minimum Requirements : Experience, education or training which provided a general knowledge of principles of organization, management, and administration. Compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information. Progressively responsible experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled. Experience using computer and automation systems. Specialized Experience: Must have at least 24 months experience with 1 year specialized experience, education or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants must have experience providing technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled. Applicants must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of administrative procedures and practices of management. Experience developing administrative procedures. Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled. Please be advised that the applicant rating will be evaluated on the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: --Knowledge of applicable military regulations, policies, and directives relating to Military Funeral Honors and Military Drill and Ceremony. --Knowledge of deceased service member's entitlements and forms relating to the entitlements. --Ability to provide briefings and training to staff and units to obtain their support for the program. -- Ability to collect and disseminate information, and evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of the training program. --Skill in managing a program including problem solving, motivating others to take necessary actions, and negotiating the allocation of resources for the program. --Ability to evaluate and maintain the NGB required databases used to identify and track the level of support and costs associated with each ceremony.- -- Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the media, veterans' organizations, the State's National Guard, funeral home directors, and the public in general. --Skill in establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship, using tact and diplomacy in interacting with individuals/families and program support representatives. --Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally w