Education Approval Specialist (EAS)
What you'd do
This position is in Veterans Benefits Administration, in Education Service (EDU). EDU has departmentwide responsibility administering VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Servicemembers, Veterans, and dependents. EDU assists to cover the cost of furthering education and skills through benefits for tuition, housing, training, and other expenses related to education; EDU also aids Veterans transition.
Major duties
Specific duties include: This incumbent serves as an Education Approval Specialist on the Approvals Management and Oversight team within the Program Oversight and Accountability Division and is located geographically distributed throughout the United States and responsible for receiving, reviewing, and taking appropriate action on all approval packages submitted by State Approving Agencies (SAAs), federal agencies, and foreign institutions and other actionable items from School Certifying Officials and other stakeholders within an assigned portfolio in support of EDU's mission. A high degree of independence, integrity and resourcefulness is required in day-to-day activities to ensure scheduled work is completed in a timely and accurate manner. The incumbent will report to the Supervisory Program Oversight Specialist. Typical duties will include (not all inclusive): The incumbent serves as VA's representative to multiple states, Educational and Training Institutions (ETIs), SAAs, federal agencies, and foreign institutions, ensuring proper communication and coordination on approval matters. The incumbent applies all relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing SAA work and review approval packages for program approval, revision, suspension, or withdrawal. They evaluate documentation such as catalogs, licenses, accreditation, and instructor qualifications, then determine whether to approve, request more information, or identify deficiencies. The incumbent resolves complex issues with SAAs related to ETI oversight and may temporarily assume SAA duties when agreements lapse or additional support is needed. They also maintain comprehensive records of institutional approval statuses and draft official approval, suspension, denial, or development letters. The incumbent acts as the primary VA liaison for SAA Cooperative Agreements, ensuring SAAs comply with agreement terms and reporting requirements. They conduct quality reviews of SAA approval actions and oversight activities, identify discrepancies, and provide remediation support. Manage funding allocations for contracted SAA partners, oversee budget appropriateness, and audit invoices before submission for payment. The incumbent contributes to quarterly and annual SAA performance evaluations and supports collaborative relationships among VA, SAAs, ETIs, and other stakeholders. The incumbent maintains cooperative relationships with ETIs and state and federal agencies, coordinating oversight activities on behalf of Education Service. The incumbent validates SCO credentials, monitors ETI reporting requirements, documents findings, and recommends appropriate actions. The incumbent provides technical guidance and training to internal and external stakeholders on ETI approvals, compliance, and required VA forms. They attend and present at workshops and conferences, offering updates that impact SAA and SCO work. They assist with responses to inquiries from Congress, the White House, and other stakeholders, ensuring accuracy in education benefit matters. The incumbent supports supervisors on special programs and projects and performs other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The grade progression for this position is GS-11 Work Schedule Full Time, Monday- Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Position Description/PD#: Education Approval Specialist (EAS); PD38788A and PD38789A Financial Disclosure Report: No Required Financial Disclosure Report: Required, This position requires completion of a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) under 5 C.F.R. § 2634.904(a). The selectee must submit the form before entering on duty and annually thereafter.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:08/10/2026. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-10 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-10 level. If you are a current VBA employee outside of the commuting area seeking reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS-10 (or higher) and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-10 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience is defined as one (1) year of experience at least equivalent to GS-09 level to qualify for the GS-10 level. Experience applying knowledge of U.S. Code, providing determinations in respect to program approval based on knowledge of statutes, regulations, and policies. Demonstrates experience executing procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs for compliance with U.S. Code regulations. Demonstrates experience with providing training sessions, presenting material, testing, and other professional instructional methods covering federal regulations. Education Substitution: Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 1/2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education above a Master's Degree, J.D., or equivalent degree (from an accredited institution). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level. GS- 11 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience is defined as one (1) year of experience equivalent to GS-10 or above level. Experience applying knowledge of Title 38, U.S. Code, providing determinations in respect to education and Training Institutions (ETI) degree and non-degree program approval based on knowledge of statutes, regulations, and policies. Demonstrates experience executing procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring ETI programs for compliance with Title 38, U.S. Code regulations. Demonstrates experience with providing training sessions, presenting material, testing, and other professional instructional methods covering federal regulations. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level. 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 with occasional walking, bending, reaching and driving. Incumbent will generally lift office files and folders up to twenty pounds. Work requires lengthy periods viewing video display terminals and extensive use of computer keyboarding. 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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