Veterans Claims Examiner

Summary The Veterans Claims Examiner (VCE) for the Muskogee Regional Processing Office (RPO) determines eligibility and entitlement for Veterans benefits under Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E – Chapter 31). Incumbent provides general program and mission assistance, and technical and administrative support. Responsibilities Process Veteran Readiness and Employment claims awards for basic eligibility and entitlement for claimants under Chapter 31, 36, 35, and 18 of Title 38, of the U.S. Code. Receive and process applications for Veteran Readiness and Employment. Assign new applicants to VRC’s caseloads and cases transferred from other RO’s. Review and properly interpret information contained in the e-folder. Perform clerical or technical program support work to a variety of technical and/or program specialists in support of the business line programs of the agency. Perform a wide array of administrative duties as needed, such as: receives telephone calls for the and referring matters to technical staff when appropriate. Serve as Division timekeeper, keeping accurate records of employee attendance that includes tracking employees approved/used overtime/comp time/credit time. Maintain the Ask VA (AVA) and Mail portal systems. Schedule all Veterans who are found eligible for VR&E orientation through e-VA appointments. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 10/09/2024. Specialized Experience: GS-09 grade level: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as; (1) Interpreting regulations and applying laws required to evaluate and recommend determinations of eligibility; AND (2) Develop and evaluate evidence to make eligibility determinations regarding educational benefits; OR Applicants may substitute education for experience at grade GS-09 level: Applicants may substitute Graduate Education to qualify for grade GS-9. Applicants may substitute education for experience with an awarded masters or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL. B or J.D.) from an accredited college or university, or two full years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. This graduate degree or education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. If you are claiming to qualify based on your education, your application must include an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrate this information. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-09. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: 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. Education An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information This is not a Virtual/Remote Position This is a Part-Time Position Work Schedule: Part-time schedule to be determined. Approximately 20 hours per week. Physical Requirements: Most of the incumbents work is sedentary, all General Education Determinations are performed on a computer. Promotion Potential: This position is being recruited at the full performance level. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility may be discussed during the interview process. Telework is subject to approval by individual supervisors and managers, is considered a privilege not a right, is subject to approval based on performance and other varying factors, and is not guaranteed. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. “Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf.” This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.