Joseph Richards
Fontana,CA
Summary
Veterans Benefits Administration expert with 20 years of military leadership experience. Demonstrated strong skills in workload prioritization and cross-team coordination.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Veteran Service Representative
Veterans Benefits Administration
01.2020 - Current
- Processed more than 11,022 claims in support of the VBA mission, helping Veterans and their families receive appropriate benefits and services.
- Reviewed and analyzed claim information and supporting evidence, applying established procedures and regulations to ensure accurate and timely claims processing.
- Planned and prioritized a high-volume workload, tracked case progress, met production requirements and deadlines, and adjusted priorities as workload demands changed.
- Prepared and maintained clear, accurate case documentation while effectively communicating benefit-related information.
- Served as a subject-matter resource and trained more than 15 newly on-boarded VSRs, explaining procedures, reinforcing performance expectations, and providing practical mentoring.
Training Officer
Navy Operational Support Center
San Diego, CA
06.2016 - 04.2019
- Provided leadership, training, and guidance to 67 training officers supporting approximately 1,600 Sailors; identifying all training requirements in accordance with Naval guidance, while monitoring completion and readiness.
- Managed unit indoctrination, mobilization, drug and alcohol, sexual assault prevention, urinalysis, and command finance programs, ensuring strict Navy compliance.
- Performed data entry and analysis in multiple military systems, effectively communicating requirements to leaders, staff, and trainees.
Department Lead
Navy Regional Maintenance Center Southwest
San Diego, California
06.2015 - 06.2016
- Led 12-person staff in administration, accountability, and staffing support for approximately 255 limited-duty Sailors, ensuring efficient operations.
- Managed daily operations of maintenance projects, assigning tasks to team members to ensure project timelines were met.
- Coordinated multiple program responsibilities as financial specialist, training officer, career counselor, placement coordinator, and ceremonial color guard coordinator, emphasizing effective planning and communication.
Department Supervisor
USS William P. Lawrence
San Diego, California
05.2012 - 06.2015
- Led an operational department of 72 personnel and planned daily work, assigned responsibilities, monitored performance, and coordinated mission and safety requirements.
- Directed ship's Drug and Alcohol Program for over 330 Sailors, coordinating screenings, treatment scheduling, documentation, follow-up care, and ensuring confidentiality in sensitive communications.
- Performed as flight deck officer/Safety Afloat officer/Search and rescue officer, supervising and auditing high-risk operations involving 337 personnel, 27 flight deck operators, 22 flight crew members, and 3 helicopters.
- Managed Family Care Plan and Exceptional Family Member Program requirements while counseling personnel on education, employment, and career development opportunities.
- Monitored compliance with naval regulations and standards during inspections.
Department Leading Petty Officer
Riverine Squadron TWO
Virginia Beach, Virginia
03.2010 - 05.2012
- Led administrative/N7 training department as government agency credit card program coordinator, defense travel coordinator, legal officer, urinalysis coordinator, and exam coordinator for 153 personnel and 7 river patrol boats, ensuring strict compliance with naval requirements.
- Coordinated government agency credit card program and managed $1.92 million travel budget for missions in Basra, Iraq, and Bahrain while overseeing equal opportunity, security, fitness, finance, and indoctrination programs.
- Developed training programs to enhance crew skills and readiness.
Department and Division Leading Petty Officer
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO
Norfolk, Virginia
10.2005 - 03.2010
- Managed the administrative department of 22 for 520 sailors, the command Government Travel Charge Card program; and multiple programs in support of administrative procedures across 11 departments.
- Led 202 Sailors as command limited-duty coordinator, applying Department of the Navy and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery policies and coordinating requirements across departments.
Education
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt -
Department of the Navy
01-2014
MBA - Human Resources
Saint Leo University
Florida01-2009
BA - Business Management
Saint Leo University
Florida01-2008
Skills
- Claims processing and evidence review
- Policy and procedure compliance
- Data analysis and reporting
- Process improvement strategies
- Training program development
- Workload planning and time management
- Prioritization and administrative efficiency
- Written and oral communication
QUALIFICATIONS ALIGNED TO VACANCY
- Planning and Evaluation: Organizes work, sets priorities, determines resource requirements, coordinates across organizations, monitors progress, and evaluates results in high-volume operational environments.
• Written Communication: Experienced in claims documentation, correspondence, training records, program documentation, data tracking and administrative reporting requiring accuracy.
• Oral Communication: Communicates policies, requirements, technical information, sensitive matters to individuals and groups; experienced briefing, counseling, training, and coordinating with diverse stakeholders.
• Teaches Others: Trained more than 15 newly on-boarded VSRs and previously provided leadership training guidance to 67 training officers supporting approximately 1,600 Sailors at Navy Operation Support center San Diego.
• Technical Competence: Applies procedures, requirements, regulations, policies, evidence review, and benefit-program knowledge in support of VBA claims processing for VBA.
• Self-Management: Manages competing priorities, deadlines, production expectations, complex caseload responsibilities while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and staying aligned with mission.
Timeline
Veteran Service Representative
Veterans Benefits Administration
01.2020 - Current
Training Officer
Navy Operational Support Center
06.2016 - 04.2019
Department Lead
Navy Regional Maintenance Center Southwest
06.2015 - 06.2016
Department Supervisor
USS William P. Lawrence
05.2012 - 06.2015
Department Leading Petty Officer
Riverine Squadron TWO
03.2010 - 05.2012
Department and Division Leading Petty Officer
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO
10.2005 - 03.2010
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt -
Department of the Navy
MBA - Human Resources
Saint Leo University
BA - Business Management
Saint Leo University