Program Specialist
What you'd do
The Program Specialist is responsible for administrative and technical work in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Division. The Program Specialist is the divisions primary public contact support, virtually and in person. The Program Specialist is responsible for assisting the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC), other VR&E staff and management with technical management of the VR&E caseload and providing assistance to Veteran clients.
Major duties
Major Duties The Program Specialist is primarily responsible for establishing adjudication of all VAF 28-1900 Disabled Veterans Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment VR&E (chapter 31, Title 38, U.S.C.) claims , ensuring that all necessary information is accurate regarding claim dates, etc. in VA systems. Responsible for updating claims as needed with entitlement usage and extensions, Initial Rating Notification Dates, dependent changes, and other claimant contact information. Updates information which pertains to laws, regulations and manual changes. Responsible for purchasing supplies for VR&E participants; reviewing monthly credit card statements for division personnel, ensuring that all required paperwork is part of the justified credit card statement, and reconciling purchases within policy requirements. Responding to a variety of personal, telephone, and written inquires, including but not limited to status of counseling, case status, Chapter 31 awards, entitlement calculations, tuition, fees, books, supplies, subsistence and general procedures, and policies of the Division, as well as the Veterans Benefits Administration. Incumbent independently determines and collaborates regarding resolution of issues and proceeds to proper solution. Assists VR&E staff in maintaining supervisory schedules. This may include but not limited to scheduling appointments, collecting documents, ensuring documentation is in Veterans files, and analyzing workload reports as directed by VR&E management. Responsible for primary or alternative time keeping duties. Work Schedule: Full time, varied work schedule to provide contact center coverage Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Tour will be determined after final selections. Tour is subject to change based on program needs. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Position Description/PD#: Program Support Specialist GS9 PD 051330 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: Yes How You'll Work: The employee will be required to travel to the closest VA Regional Office, VA Medical Center, or other VA facility for issuance of equipment, and as needed for technical support. Government furnished equipment includes a laptop computer, camera, docking station, monitor screens and headset. A secure VPN will be used to access Microsoft Office products and specific communications software including a soft phone to educate and connect Veterans with the benefits they have earned.
What you need to qualify
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are/were federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information. Specialized Experience: Must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-07, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in this organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience in administrative, customer service, and technical work; Experience using and referencing applicable state, federal and local Veteran benefit programs as well as federal regulations and legislation that pertain to the full array of Veteran benefits and programs; Experience and demonstrated skill in technical management of governmental caseloads and providing assistance to Veteran clients; Experience in timekeeping duties; scheduling appointments; and mail management; Experience in administrative tasks and fiscal responsibility in supply procurements. Or applicants may substitute education for the experience required to qualify at the GS-09 level: Education Substitution: You may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have: A master's or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or Possession of a LL.B. or J.D degree, if related. or Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. or Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information. Volunteer Experience: 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. The employee will be required to talk for long periods of time which occasionally puts a strain on the throat/vocal cords. There are no other special physical demands required to perform the work. There may be some walking, standing, and carrying of light items such as papers, books, claims folders, and files from one desk to another or for returning to storage. Extensive use of a computer and a telephone with a headset is required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
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