Summary The Education Liaison Representative (ELR) on the Approval, Compliance and Liaison Team located within an assigned Regional Office. The ELR reports to the Supervisory Compliance and Liaison Specialist who may be geographically separated. The ELR is responsible for receiving, reviewing and taking appropriate action on education and training institution program approval activity submitted by State Approving Agencies (SAAs) and liaison/training activities with internal and external stakeholders. Responsibilities The Major Duties of the Education Liaison Representative (ELR) are, but not limited to: Serving as a VA representative to an assigned state(s) in matters requiring liaison activities between the educational and training institutions, VA Regional Processing Offices (RPO) and State Approving Agency (SAA). Serving as the field technical point of contact for one or more designated SAA Cooperative Agreements. Responsible for quarterly and annual evaluation of SAA performance, manages fund control point not to exceed agreement amount, audits all invoices submitted and prepares vouchers for payment. Adjudicating approval packages (official documents, data, student records) from SAAs regarding educational institutions and training status to receive federal funding in accordance with laws, regulations, policy and procedures. Developing for information, or action necessary to resolve any regulatory deficiencies. Solves complex problems with the SAA relating to the inspection, approval and oversight of educational institutions and training facilities. Providing technical training to SAA staff, as required. Implements and collaborates with SAA on changes in statute, regulations, and policies that effect VA education program eligibility for beneficiaries at educational institutions and training facilities. Performing quality assurance of SAA approval packages and compliance surveys. Providing necessary training to SAA staff members when errors are documented. Monitoring compliance activities and provides corrective training to SCOs based on discrepancies identified. Maintaining records of all approved, suspended or withdrawn educational institutions and training facilities and distributes current status to appropriate VA personnel. Conducting local, state, regional and national training workshops and conferences for educational and training institution officials. Training topics include: regulations, procedures, new laws enacted, changes in VA Education Benefits, as well as initial training for new School Certifying Officials (SCOs) and sustainment training to experienced SCOs. Providing training on paper VA forms and VA Education computer processing systems to ensure SCOs are properly entering initial enrollment and subsequent adjustments, amendments, or termination certification data in accordance with statute, regulations, and policies in order to ensure accurate and timely payments of VA Education benefits. Providing subject matter expert responses to RPO education claims processing employees, assisting with the development and communication of enrollment certifications to school officials in order to ensure accurate information is received for the correct payment of Education benefits. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Work Schedule: Full Time | 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Position Description: Education Liaison Representative (ELR) |PD#: 38788A, 38789A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements: Valid Driver's License Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Some physical effort may be required such as walking, standing, bending, reaching, and carrying of office and event materials. Promotion Potential: GS-11 Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/06/2024. Time-in-grade: 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 close of this announcement. 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. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. GS-10: 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. GS-11: 52 weeks at the GS-10 level. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. NOTE: To support your claim that you have the required time-in-grade, you must submit your most recent promotion, within-grade increase, or appointment SF-50. If you previously held a higher grade, you must also submit any SF-50 showing that grade. GENERAL ADJUSTMENT and AWARD SF-50's CANNOT be used for time-in-grade verification. AND Minimum Qualifications: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: For GS-10: You must meet the following minimum requirements: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level to qualify for the GS-10 level that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized Experience is defined as one (1) year of experience equivalent to GS-9 or above 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. OR, 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. For GS-11: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level or ,higher to qualify for the GS-11 level that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized Experience is defined as one (1) year of experience equivalent to GS-9 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. 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 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/. Education A transcript 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 here: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information 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 will be discussed during the interview process. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. 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. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.