Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Erica Harms

Buffalo,NY

Summary

Experienced public sector professional transitioning into private sector policy or analyst roles. I bring a strong background in compliance auditing, regulatory analysis, and program evaluation, developed through my work with the Department of Veterans Affairs. My work has focused on interpreting federal regulations, conducting risk-based reviews, and delivering actionable insights to improve education benefit programs.

With a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations and a track record of managing complex data, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional collaboration, I’m ready to bring a mission-driven, analytical mindset to policy analysis, consulting, or corporate impact roles.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience

Work History

Education Compliance Survey Specialist

Department of Veteran Affairs
11.2024 - Current
  • Prepares for compliance survey (audit) of an education and training program by examining and reviewing various informational sources.
  • Examines education records for enrolled students and ascertains enrollment data and award actions.
  • Completes assigned Targeted Risked Based Reviews (TRBR) and Risk-Based Surveys (RBS).
  • Conducts entrance and exit-briefings at educational and or training establishments, delineating results of survey findings with School Certifying Officials.
  • Prepares compliance survey report which indicates whether discrepancies found on a prior survey have or have not been corrected, report any discrepancy found on the current survey, and explains what additional action, if any, is required.
  • Records payment discrepancies to include direct overpayments or underpayments made to the educational institution on behalf of a GI Bill beneficiary.

Veterans Claims Examiner (VCE)

Veterans Benefits Administration - Department of Veterans Affairs
09.2021 - 11.2024
  • Serve as a mentor to VCEs
  • I serve as a mentor to both new hires and current VCEs needing additional assistance in various topics related to the position through the following:
  • One-on-one meetings
  • Question and answer sessions for large and small groups
  • Email inquiries
  • Questions via Microsoft Teams throughout the day
  • I ensure that I am approachable and always willing to assist with various issues in processing that the VCEs may encounter. I maintain a record of policy advisories, procedures, job aids, and Knowledge Management Portal references to provide the most accurate and up to date information.
  • Selected to assist with Ask Va Inquiries
  • By assisting with the Ask VA system, I am providing customer service to both veterans and their dependents. This requires me to have vast knowledge of the Chapter 35 Dependents’ Educational Assistance laws, rule and regulations to accurately answer any questions that may arise. I have answered questions related to any debts on accounts, eligibility requirements, benefit updates, among many others topics. I am as polite and helpful as possible so that veterans and dependent have a good experience while getting their questions answered.
  • Selected as EDU Voice representative
  • As an EDU Voice representative, I ask my fellow team members what questions or concerns they may have regarding anything job related. I bring them up at a meeting with other team representatives and higher level administrators and provide my team with a summary of what occurred during the meeting.
  • Skills and daily duties:
  • Independently process DEA claims/payments with complex issues, such as multiple reductions/withdrawals, overlapping terms, remedial hours, dual eligibility and request for delimiting date extensions all while utilizing the Benefit Delivery Network (BDN).
  • Thoroughly review a variety of VA systems such as BDN, Share, Veterans Information Solution (VIS), The Image Management System (TIMS), Long Term Solution (LTS), and Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System (DPRIS) to review and develop evidence while making determinations of eligibility and entitlement, and processing education payments.
  • Regularly communicate via written, electronic, and oral methods with claimants, School Certifying Officials (SCO), Education Liaison Representatives (ELR) and other members of the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) at various levels.
  • I successfully work under pressure and meet/exceed established timeliness goals by exercising good judgement and flexibility in handling an independent workload, in addition to any extra tasks assigned, while taking into consideration changing needs and circumstances at the GS09 standard levels.
  • I work with Senior Veterans Claims Examiners on difficult claims to ensure they are processed accurately in regards to VA laws and regulations to avoid any future problems for the beneficiaries.
  • Salary:
  • Hours per week: 40
  • Series: 0996 Veterans Claims Examining
  • Grade: GS 09
  • Supervisor: Paul Tipton (716)903-4192

AmeriCorps Vista at Mission: Ignite

The Service Collaborative of WNY
08.2020 - 08.2021
  • During my year of service, I served as the Grants Coordinator at Mission: Ignite. In this position, I assisted in developing partnerships with schools, state, and local agencies for new and existing programs to support underserved communities throughout Western New York. I managed all grant applications and report deadlines for possible or earned funders. This included effectively expressing facts and ideas regarding organizational programs through grant applications. I lead weekly meetings with relevant Directors to report on the status of applications and funds earned. Funds and in-kind resources directly influenced the growth of the organization and its ability to offer and expand services.
  • Key Accomplishments:
  • Assisted in developing a career counseling program
  • Earned over $663,666.98 in monetary resources
  • Earned $51,578.67 of in-kind resources
  • Served 222 individuals, with 45 who improved job readiness
  • 21 organizations received capacity-building services
  • Lead organizational strategy meeting
  • Skills:
  • Grant writing
  • Project management
  • Effective oral and written communication
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Hours per week: 40
  • Supervisor: Ben Bissell

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations, European Studies, Spanish, History

Canisius University (formerly known as Canisius College)
Buffalo, NY
05.2020

Skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Attention to detail
  • Multitasking, including task prioritization
  • Excellent communication
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Decision-making
  • Coaching and mentoring

Accomplishments

  • Member, Sigma Iota Rho, National Honors Society for International Relations
  • Member, Phi Alpha Theta, National History Honors Society
  • Dean’s List, Spring 2017- Fall 2019
  • Study Abroad Ambassador
  • Orientation Leader
  • Model UN Moderator

Timeline

Education Compliance Survey Specialist

Department of Veteran Affairs
11.2024 - Current

Veterans Claims Examiner (VCE)

Veterans Benefits Administration - Department of Veterans Affairs
09.2021 - 11.2024

AmeriCorps Vista at Mission: Ignite

The Service Collaborative of WNY
08.2020 - 08.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations, European Studies, Spanish, History

Canisius University (formerly known as Canisius College)

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Erica Harms