Julie Merrell

Experience

• 

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

  Apr 2005 - Jul 2015

  The role of a Supervisory Veteran Service Representative (Coach) is the management of employees through the means of mentoring, training, developing, and guiding employees to effectively analyze and interpret the laws and regulations set forth from Congress. • Provided individual professional development to include performance evaluation(s), employee recognition, and formulation of monetary awards. • Applied detail-oriented method of workload distribution based on analysis review through review of Tableau, Salesforce, and Veterans Operating Report, VOR• Established program objectives or performance goals and to assessed progress toward team member goals• Coordinated and integrated work activities and resources of several organizational segments • Analyzed organizational and operational deficiencies, while developing efficient resolutions • Represented activities, internal and/or external, to the agency, to include community outreach events, supporting the agencies initiatives and goals• Developed team training plans to address workload management improvement• Communicated effectively, orally and in writing, in a professional manner, to include internal and external stakeholders• Conducted interviews, to include matrix analysis in evaluating the prospective candidate• Ability to meet continuous changing workload management goals, to include adjusting workload distribution plans based on available resources • Assisted in the establishment of employee recognition award program, based on employee performance • Analyzed organizational and operational reports, developing workload measurements, staffing operations with the most cost effective workflow procedures Show less The role of a Program Analyst, was responsible for development and implementation of training materials while analyzing the effectiveness of programs. The program analyst served as a subject matter expert on technical, application of required laws and regulations, and the procedural/operational aspects of the national training program.• Provided oral presentations, delivering training material through a virtual Interactive Web Based Training, (Microsoft Lync) environment and in an on-site classroom setting• Recommended training directives and training material as it related to guidelines and policies of the agency• Reviewed new legislation, by means of court case decisions, congressional law amendments to regulations, in the development of new and/or modified training material • Coordinated activities/events for students attending training residency Show less The role of a Supervisory Veterans Claims Examiner provides management, direction, mentoring, and leadership within the Education division. Responsibilities included workload management and staff management of Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) team and a Chapter 35 Benefits team. While managing the Chapter 35 team I developed and managed cross training within various divisional functions to give response flexibility with shifting workloads.• Performed personnel administrative actions, to include human resource matters (Family Medical Leave Act, FMLA; Leave Without Pay, LWOP; workers compensation); proper application of performance standards and evaluations (disciplinary actions, performance awards); labor relations matters (grievances, alternative dispute resolution)• Assisted subordinates with performance improvement plans• Initiated the development of a cross-training program, applying synergy, within various divisions, allowing flexibility with shifting workloads• Conducted interviews, to include matrix analysis in evaluating the prospective candidate• Managed the distribution of workload based on reporting analysis and shifting workload • Prepared systematic analysis review based on the needs of the Education claims processing unit• Managed accuracy, timeliness of awards, and disallowances covering full range of education benefits• Managed the Chapter 35, (the VA's Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program), claims processing team with an exceptional level of 98%• Analyzed reports of the cross training program, allowing for agility in processing educational claims, regarding the success of processing multiple types of claims allowing a targeted reduction of outstanding claims. (The report found original claims processing/completion reduced on an average of 51 days to 35 days (a 65% reduction) and reported a reduction in supplemental claims from an average of 33 days to 12 days (a 36% reduction) Show less

  • Supervisor/Management, (Supervisory Veteran Service Representative)

    Aug 2014 - Jul 2015

  • Program Analyst, (Training Instructor/Consultant)

    Aug 2013 - Aug 2014

  • Supervisor/Management (Supervisory Veterans Claims Examiner, Education Division)

    Oct 2012 - Aug 2013

  • Benefits Claim Analyst (Rating and Veteran Service Representative; Claims Assistant); File Clerk

    Apr 2005 - Oct 2012
• 

  Department of Veteran's Affairs

  Jul 2015 - Jun 2016

  Quality Review Benefits Claim Specialist

  Responsible for reviewing completed cases for quality review, with consistent and conscientious sound equitable judgment; Review of applicable laws and regulations being applied to each and every decision; Provide individual mentoring and training; Manage own workload management in a timely fashion; Provide rating decisions, where all laws and regulations are applied accurately; Complete trend analysis reports; Write and distribute a weekly newsletter for the division; Provide open communication with management, union, and employees. Show less

• 

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

  Jun 2016 - Nov 2021

  The role of a Rating Veteran Service Representative, RVSR, is one that provides the Veteran an evaluation/determination based upon a claim for disease, injury or aggravated injury sustained during the Veteran’s period of service. The RVSR applies the laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures set forth within the manual in determining eligibility and/or the degree of evaluation based on the rating disability schedule. The role requires independent analyzation to provide the most efficient/effective evaluation as a legal determination is rendered. • Determine eligibility, degree of disability, permanency of disability, burial benefits, hospital and/or treatment allowance, and competency status• Apply accurate level of eligibility and degree of disability as it relates to the rating schedule• Apply the laws, regulations, court decisions, and training guidance as it applies to proper distribution of compensation and/or pension benefits.• Detail oriented• Provide thorough analysis of military personnel records, military medical records, current medical treatment records, private evidence, and medical examinations in applying regulatory laws to provide the Veteran with a rating decision (legal determination) of entitlement• Internal and external communication to facilitate efficient and accurate rating decisions• Preparation of a rating decision (legal determination) applying the law(s) and regulation(s), with consistent and conscientious sound equitable judgment Show less The role of an Assistant Supervisory Veteran Service Representative provides assistance managing employees through the means of mentoring, training, developing, and guiding employees to effectively analyze and interpret the laws and regulations set forth from Congress. Provide individual professional development to include performance evaluation(s), employee recognition, and formulation of monetary awards. Efficiency reviews, to include Error Trend Analysis (Quality Assurance), composition of Standard of Operating Procedures (SOP) documentation, and Skills Certification Testing. The analysis and review of Tableau and Salesforce reporting provides a detail oriented method of workload distribution.• Preformed analysis and review of Tableau and Salesforce for logistic management of workload distribution• Analyzed error trend analysis reports, evaluating early detection of trends, positive and negative, thus allowing for targeted training in improving performance and quality• Provided instructional training of subordinates, to include guidance on application usage, job related training material, and development of recommended training based on standardized testing• Developed, planned and organized training plans, including new hires, seasoned employees, division-based training requirements, and required training for the skills certification testing.• Prepared memorandums and reports, to include in part divisional training material; standard of operations, SOPs; correspondences to local and national congressional representative(s); Power of Attorney agencies, with both internal/external distribution• Prepared local Quality Review Team, QRT, newsletter (through Microsoft Publisher), with division wide distribution• Provided guidance to subordinates in Human Resource, HR, matters, to include Family Medical Leave Act, FMLA; Leave Without Pay, LWOP; Workers Compensation; performance standards/expectations; on the job training documentation Show less

  • Senior Benefits Claim Analyst (Rating Veteran Service Representative)

    Mar 2018 - Nov 2021

  • Assistant Supervisor (Assistant Supervisory Veteran Service Representative)

    Jun 2016 - Mar 2018
• 

  United Veteran Benefits Agency

  Nov 2022 - now

  Veteran Benefits Specialist

  Provide consulting with step-by-step development guidance for proper disability claim procedures, while managing each client project from start to finish.