Remote Optometry Billing Assistant Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Summary
A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Congressional Fellow is a mid- to senior-level VA professional placed in a House, Senate, or committee office to shape veterans' healthcare policy, improve benefits delivery, and bridge communication between the executive and legislative branches. Managed by the VA Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA), this one-year placement utilizes the fellow's hands-on agency expertise to serve U.S. Congress.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION OR REMOTE POSITION. YOU MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RETURN TO OFFICE POLICY AND BE WILLING TO WORK ON SITE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.***
This is an employee developmental program which is utilizing USA Jobs to accept and screen applications. You will stay in your current grade. You will not be reassigned, changed to a lower grade or promoted. Your current office will remain in charge of reporting your time and attendance.
The selected fellow will serve a 12-month placement on Capitol Hill from January 2027 through December 2027. Following the completion of this term, there is an opportunity for a three to six month follow-on detail assignment, subject to the approval of the fellow's home-office.
The statement of duties for a VA Fellow may include, but are not limited to the following:
Legislative Strategy & Policy Development

• Strategic Advising: Provide the Member of Congress with specialized insight into VA operations and/or agency workflow.
• Policy Portfolio Management: Serve as the lead or co-lead staffer on a specific legislative portfolio matching the fellow's technical expertise.
• Statutory Drafting: Author original bill text, formal amendments, and policy resolutions for introduction on the House or Senate floor.
• Vote Recommendations: Analyze incoming floor legislation and provide the Member with timely vote recommendations and background memos.
• Coalition Building: Negotiate text and build bipartisan coalitions with outside stakeholders, federal agencies, and cross-chamber staff.

Committee & Oversight Operations

• Hearing Preparation: Formulate strategic oversight questions, vet expert witnesses, and draft opening statements for committee hearings.
• Investigations: Conduct deep-dive policy investigations, review agency data, and draft comprehensive oversight reports.

Communications & Constituent Engagement

• Speechwriting: Draft floor speeches, official statements for the Congressional Record, and talking points for media appearances.
• Stakeholder Relations: Represent the office in meetings with constituents, advocacy groups, and executive branch officials.
• Casework Acceleration: Interface with the office's caseworkers to help resolve complex constituent issues involving VA benefits, appeals, and medical center care.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm EST.
Telework: Available - Ad Hoc telework (situational telework) as determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This detail opportunity is not virtual
Financial Disclosure: Not Required
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
Permanent Career or Career Conditional VA employees, who are GS-12 through GS-14 with strong written and oral communication abilities and a keen sense to detail, are invited to apply. Parent organizations are responsible for funding costs associated with selected candidates. The ideal candidate is an employee who meets the eligibility criteria and works in the Washington, DC area.
Qualifications
To qualify for this detail, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/15/2026.
Permanent VA employees with at least two years of service working for the Department of Veterans Affairs, who are GS-12 through GS-14 with strong written and oral communication abilities and a keen sense to detail, are encouraged to apply.
The application must contain:

1. Two Page Resume
2. Two References
3. Written Approval from 1st line supervisor and Executive Leadership Team (e.g. VACO applicant needs approval from Under Secretary, Assistant Secretary or equivalent, Medical Center applicant needs approval from Medical Center Director, etc.)
4. Latest Performance Plan
5. Written Statement (Provide a one-page statement covering two key areas: why you are interested in this role and what specific skills, experiences, and value you will bring to this internship.)

Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
Title 38 and Hybrid Title 38 employees are not currently eligible for the program.
Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, but some travel may be required.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.
For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration (HRA) at The Fair Chance Act.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.