Opportunities
Senior Advisor for Women Veterans Policy
The Democratic staff of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to join its Health Subcommittee staff. The Senior Policy Advisor will manage a portfolio focused on issues impacting women veterans to include matters related to military service, impacts to women veterans’ health, well-being, and access to care, benefits, and economic resources, as well as systemic and structural barriers which may inhibit access. The Committee also intends to stand up a task force on women veterans that would be staffed by the Senior Policy Advisor. The Senior Policy Advisory will report directly to the staff director of the Health Subcommittee. Some travel will be required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Working with Committee leadership to develop an overall policy and legislative strategy;
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Conducting oversight and investigations within the portfolio;
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Tracking legislative and policy developments within the portfolio;
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Drafting written product, to include memoranda, correspondence, reports, and public statements;
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Planning and executing hearings and other official events;
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Conducting site visits;
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Developing and drafting legislation;
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Engaging and working with stakeholders to include the Administration, Veterans Service Organization (VSOs), and others; and,
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Supporting the full Committee and Subcommittee Chairs in advancing the Committee’s priorities; and,
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Assisting with standing up and leading the operation of a task force focused on women veteran matters, with reporting responsibilities to the task force chair and the full Committee Chairman;
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Highly qualified candidates will have significant experience with issues impacting women veterans, as well experience in government (at any level) or advocacy. Congressional experience is not required but is a plus. Qualified candidates will be extremely organized, have excellent oral and written communications skills, have a demonstrated ability to work on a team, and have a track record of successfully delivering excellent work in short timeframes.
Candidates will be evaluated on experience, skills, character, and fitness, and how well they meet the qualifications and requirements. In an effort to build a diverse and more inclusive work environment, the committee strongly encourages veterans, minority, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ candidates to apply. Starting salary is $90k, commensurate with experience.
HOW TO APPLY: All candidates are required to complete an online application to be considered. Candidates should upload a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and diversity & inclusion statement. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until November 12, 2021.
The diversity & inclusion statement should be 250 words or fewer and: 1) Explain how your past personal and/or professional experiences have contributed to your growth in understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or 2) Explain how you plan to engage in diversity, equity and inclusion matters in this role. Applications will not be considered complete if there is no diversity & inclusion statement.
Staff Director – Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs (DAMA), House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Majority)
SUMMARY: The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs seeks a Staff Director for the DAMA Subcommittee. The Staff Director will be responsible for directing and managing the activities of the Subcommittee, which includes oversight, policy development, and legislative efforts related to disability and pension, as well as burial and memorial benefits for veterans and their families. Specifically, the Staff Director will oversee the Compensation & Pension program of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Arlington National Cemetery, and the American Battlefield Monuments Commission.
The Subcommittee Staff Director develops and executes an oversight plan in consultation with Committee leadership, advises the Committee and Subcommittee chairs on DAMA issues, directs an oversight agenda, develops relevant legislation, plans Subcommittee hearings, and supports the Committee’s oversight and legislative activities.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
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Carry out robust congressional oversight of VBA C&P and NCA Programs.
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Advise Committee Chair, Subcommittee Chair, and HVAC Staff Director on matters related to veterans’ disability and burial benefits, assist in development and implementation of strategy and policy goals.
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Advance initiatives related to veterans’ military toxic exposure, including policy reform related to compensation for toxic wounds.
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Support Committee efforts to prioritize issues affecting minority veterans.
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Assist and advise on legislative initiatives and activities of the Committee, including drafting of legislation.
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Develop and execute an oversight plan, including proposed hearings, oversight letters, site visits, etc. in consultation with Committee leadership.
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Supervise Subcommittee staff and manage all aspects of Subcommittee activities and work product.
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Prepare and manage all aspects of Subcommittee oversight hearings.
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Maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate oversight activities.
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Monitor legislative needs and developments within congressional committees and on the House floor within the disability and burial benefit space.
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Draft hearing statements and floor speeches for the Committee Chair and Subcommittee chair.
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Coordinate policy oversight and investigative initiatives with other HVAC Subcommittees and relevant House Committees.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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Working knowledge of VBA and NCA programs.
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Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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Knowledge of the legislative process.
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Ability to work cooperatively and courteously with others.
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Thoroughness and careful attention to detail.
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Availability to work non-traditional hours (on occasion).
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Ability to manage and oversee a team.
Candidates will be evaluated on experience, skills, character and fitness, and how well you meet the qualifications and requirements above. In an effort to build a diverse and more inclusive work environment, the committee strongly encourages veterans, minority, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ candidates to apply. Salary range $105-115k, commensurate with experience.
All candidates are required to complete an online application for consideration of this position. There you can upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample.
Internships
The Democratic Staff of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs seeks legislative or press interns. Responsibilities include but are not limited to conducting legislative research, managing and responding to constituent correspondence, attending briefings and hearings for staff, compiling press clips, drafting communications materials, and other tasks depending on the needs of the Committee and the intern’s interests.
Qualified candidates will have strong oral and written communications skills, be detail-oriented, and have a desire to help veterans and learn about the House and legislative process. In an effort to build a diverse and more inclusive work environment,.the Committee strongly encourages veterans, minority, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates, and HBCU and MSI students to apply.
This is a paid internship that can be a full-time or part-time position. This position is expected to be remote with the possibility of it being in-person. Even if the internship transitions to fully in person, the position can continue to be remote depending on interns’ circumstances. To apply, fill out the online form and submit a resume and cover letter at This Link. Applicants who apply by November 15 will be prioritized. Applicants will be contacted if they have been selected for an interview. If applicants have additional questions about the internship, contact Veterans.Internships@Mail.House.Gov.