Title: VMSDEP Specialist
State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I
Hiring Range: $53,000-$57,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Dept of Veterans Services
Location: DVS HQ
Agency Website: www.dvs.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Veteran Services is seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to serve as the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) Specialist. This position will serve in The State Approving Agency (SAA) within the Department of Veteran Services. Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) Specialist is responsible for adjudicating benefit applications, verifying eligibility documentation, and supporting applicants throughout the benefit process. This position provides training and guidance to VMSDEP Coordinators and stakeholders, manages applicant communications, and participates in outreach and public engagement efforts to promote program awareness. The Specialist ensures compliance with quality assurance (QA) standards, prepares routine program reports, and collaborates with Virginia public colleges and universities (VPCU) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to confirm enrollment data accuracy, all while contributing to continuous improvement in program delivery and service excellence.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in public administration, Higher Education, Human Services, or a related field is required.
Experience or knowledge of federal and state veterans’ benefits programs, including VMSDEP and USDVA education benefits, as well as relevant privacy regulations such as FERPA and HIPAA.
A strong understanding of data verification processes, quality assurance standards, institutional reporting practices in higher education, and survey design and process improvement methodologies is essential.
Ability to conduct stakeholder feedback surveys and convert results into actionable strategies, produce professional documentation and reports using Microsoft Office and database systems, coordinate effectively across agencies and institutions, and communicate empathetically and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
Experience with interpreting and applying complex legal and procedural frameworks with a high level of accuracy.
Additional Considerations
Candidates are expected to obtain accreditation from the USDVA within the first year of employment if not already certified. Completion of veterans services training programs or other relevant professional development certifications is strongly encouraged, although no formal professional licensure is required for the role.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDVS accepts submissions of on-line applications only. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:59 P.M. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which includes your specific qualifications for the position you are seeking.
The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from either the electronic applications and/or resume. RMS provides confirmation or receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application.
It is the policy of VDVS to provide equal opportunity for all applications and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, gender, identify or expression, disability, veterans’ status or political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified person with disabilities.
Commonwealth of Virginia State agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring accommodation should direct inquiries to the human resource contact directly. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of Virginia Employees Only), MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or resume.
Contact Information
Name: DVS HR Team
Phone: N/A
Email: recruitment@dvs.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
