Bob Baxter

Experience

• Nashville Software School

  Full Stack Software Developer

  Feb 2019 - present

  Intensive one-year software development bootcamp focusing on learning full stack development fundamentals and problem solving skills through real-world methodologies

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  • Built browser-based single page applications using HTML, CSS, Javascript, jQuery, and React
  • Developed server-side solutions using C# and .NET Core in Visual Studio
  • Designed responsive applications using Bootstrap and Reactstrap
  • Accessed and exposed data using RESTful APIs
  • Database management using SQL Server and Firebase
  • Hands on application of OOP fundamentals through group and individual projects reflecting real world business problems
  • Javascript fundamentals leveraging DRY, modular, readable code, and reusable components
  • Task automation and module bundling with Webpack, linting with ESLint
  • Source code version control with Git/Github
  • Project management/tracking with Github Projects

• Department of Veterans Affairs

  Rating Veterans Service Representative

  Oct 2017 - present

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  • Make decisions regarding Veteran disability claim determination, to include determining if a claimed disease or disability was incurred in or aggravated by military service; the severity of such disability (service-connection percentage); and the entitlement to any ancillary benefits
  • Assure proper application of the VA's disability Rating Schedule and other applicable instructions, and accountability for proper analysis, appropriate development, and accurate final rating determination
  • Provides consultative advice and assistance to Veterans Service Representatives to help develop their skills in gathering evidence for rating decisions
  • Act as an advocate for Veterans and their beneficiaries in their dealings with VA and any other organizations that affect their claims

  Veterans Service Representative

  May 2014 - Oct 2017

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  • Made determinations as to the eligibility for the type of benefit sought, to include questions relating to adequacy of military service, medical evidence, and the evaluation of evidence of income, employability, dependence, and relationship
  • Requested examinations and medical opinions to evaluate disabilities resulting from disease or injury caused by military service
  • Reviewed claims cases to assure all issues had been addressed, and applied and interpreted VA laws, including Veterans' case law, existing statues and procedures, precedent rulings, and state law
  • Assisted Veterans and their dependents in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of all lawful claims for benefits to which they were entitled and in filing appeals for denied claims

  Claims Assistant

  Dec 2012 - May 2014

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  Served as the primary contact for Veterans and their representative or advocate for compensation and pension claims.

  • Maintained claims folders, ensuring that all pertinent records and documents were preserved in accordance with VA regulations
  • Analyzed claims and determined if disposition of claim and control action had been appropriately identified
  • Developed straight forward evidence and assisted higher-level team members in gathering more complex evidence
  • Communicated with claimants and their representatives regarding claims filed, documentation, and benefit programs
  • Processed informal claims, providing the claimant with the necessary application(s) and stipulating the appropriate time limit(s)

  Legal Administrative Specialist

  Oct 2011 - Dec 2012

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  Provided Veterans, their dependents, and survivors with information, advice, and assistance regarding the availability and procurement of VA benefits.

  • Assessed issues and complaints; resolving them in a professional manner or referring them to the appropriate source
  • Counseled veterans, their dependents, and beneficiaries regarding the full array of benefits available through the VA
  • Facilitated timely processing of claims and provides assistance in obtaining and completing the necessary documents and forms in accordance with the type of claim being submitted
  • Analyzed claims (including legal or medical material), explained the decisions and reasons for the decisions made by the VA and communicated, verbally and in writing, this information to the claimant

• United States Army Reserve

  Senior Paralegal NCO

  Sep 2004 - Apr 2014

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  Served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 10 years, working as a Human Resources Sergeant for roughly 8 years and a Senior Paralegal NCO for roughly 2 years.

  Senior Paralegal NCO

  • Acted as First Sergeant for the unit
  • Communicated orally and in writing with subordinate soldiers to tactfully identify deficiencies in individual performance; and worked with supervisory personnel to facilitate positive feedback based on the outcome of scheduled reviews
  • Designed and delivered training programs to soldiers using modern teaching practices and techniques
  • Provided guidance and leadership to all soldiers in unit
  • Supervised the administration of all military justice matter, including courts-martial
  • Oversee administration of all legal support support provided to unit in all six core legal disciplines

  Human Resources Sergeant

  • Accountable for quality control and tracking personnel actions
  • Prepared and processed a full range of personnel actions, to include: recommendations for awards and decorations; requests for evaluations, to include responding to evaluation inquiries; requests for promotions and arrangements for promotion ceremonies; Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) reclassification requests; all types of military and non-military correspondence; birth month audits; suspensions of favorable actions (flags); inprocessing/outprocessing Soldiers; unit Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP); auditing of records for Interactive Personnel Records Management System (IPERMS) compliance; and inputting updated personnel and training data into Regional Level Application Software (RLAS)
  • Assisted soldiers with benefits, compensation, and professional development
  • Edited and maintained SharePoint database to track administrative actions

  Misc

  • Additional Duties: Weight Control NCO, Sign-in Monitor, HHD Human Resources NCOIC, Board Recorder, and Unit Prevention Leader
  • Instructed a two-week course as a fitness instructor for overweight soldiers, July 2009
  • Secret Security Clearance

• New Horizons

  Professor of English

  Lima, Peru

  Apr 2011 - Jun 2011

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  • Taught corporate classes, business English, and private courses
  • Developed and edited customized lesson plans based on the students' needs
  • Planned and conducted activites for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time

• Ideas Screen Printing

  Screen Printer

  Oct 2006 - Apr 2010

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  • Operated manual screen printing press including set-up, printing, and tear down of jobs
  • Identified and troubleshot common screen printing problems
  • Exposed screens, organized garments, and mixed or modified inks as production requirements dictated

• United States Army

  Postal Sergeant/Supply Sergeant

  Taji, Iraq

  Jun 2007 - Aug 2008

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  • Served as a Postal Sergeant in an Army Post Office (APO) unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 07-09 servicing over 120 units and more than 20,000 Soldiers, DoD civilians, and contractors
  • Assisted the Technical Inspector with inspecting over 120 unit mail rooms
  • Trained over 200 unit mail clerks in proper mail room procedures
  • Ensured all computers and information systems with a value over $15,000 were accounted for and running properly at all times
  • Ordered and maintained supplies and materials for the Camp Taji APO and the Postal unit that exceed a value of $500,000
  • Managed and inspected soldiers and civilians to ensure the lawful handling of mail and efficient workflow
  • Created spreadsheets, composed official Army memos, and developed presentations for productivity and accountability reports and for weekly conference calls
  • Areas of special emphasis: Postal Operations Directorate Inspections, Holiday Mail Surge, Mail Room Inspections
  • Additional Duties: Unit Information Management Officer, Technical Inspector, Supply NCO

• Super 8 Motel

  Front Desk Clerk

  May 2005 - Oct 2006

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  • Operated and maintained variety of office equipment, such as fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, and telephone systems
  • Managed daily operations and micromanaged all subsequent positions
  • Performed multiple tasks including receiving calls, interacting with customers, and negotiating rates