Health Benefits Assistant

The position is assigned to the Health Administration Service of the VA Central California Health Care System and performs a broad range of administrative duties to support Veteran Benefits and registration and intake activities within the Medical Center. This includes supporting the business unit that administers health and related benefits within an integrated system of VA health care resources and health care access points.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/23/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: General Experience:GS-04, You must have one year of general experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-03 or equivalent in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of pertinent laws, federal regulations, polices guidelines, VHA directives, handbooks, and procedures relating to Veteran's benefits to ensure that all Veterans, patients, potential beneficiaries, staff, and other stakeholders are accurately informed and efficiently enrolled. Comprehensive knowledge of VA Central California Health Care System memorandums, administrative procedures and processes, standard operating procedures, internal policies, and other guidance related to such areas as eligibility for VA medical benefits, non-VA care eligibility, outpatient programs, patient scheduling, admissions and discharges, patient transfers, VA healthcare network capabilities for patient referrals and transfers, employee health, beneficiary travel, inpatient and outpatient statistical reporting, and others related Medical Center organization and administration.; Knowledge of the Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Act, HIPPA guidelines, and other authorities with respect to release of information and established guidelines to preserve the confidentiality of record contents.; Extensive knowledge of the organizational and interdepartmental relationships of an active Medical Center to effectively relay the medical benefits package to all inquiring parties.; Comprehensive knowledge and the ability to use several computer systems, (e.g., VistA; HEC Enrollment System Expansion, CPRS, VIS, VBMS, SHARE, etc.), and the requisite knowledge for using multiple menu options within those systems. Including knowledge of the varied functions of computer spreadsheets, database computer applications, etc. to produce and maintain a wide variety of documents.; Ability to participate in studies which may require, statistical measurement, data analysis, and report preparation using databases and dashboards. Prepares reports as required and makes reasonable recommendations for system or process improvement. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have have two years of education beyond the high school level.OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of general experience and education beyond the high school level in excess of 30 semester credits. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Manages and Organizes Information GS-05, You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have have four years of education beyond the high school level. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of general experience and education beyond the high school level in excess of 60 semester credits. GS-06, You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work of the Incumbent is primarily sedentary, involving sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or performing administrative tasks. Occasionally, light physical effort may be required, such as walking short distances, climbing stairs, and carrying light office items like files, documents, or office supplies. This position does not typically involve strenuous physical activity. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.