Summary This position is located at the Columbia, South Carolina Regional Benefits Office. The incumbent is assigned a variety of administrative and technical support duties in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) division. Responsibilities Specific duties are as follows: Responsible for decisions on adjudicative actions incident to the determination of eligibility of benefits to applicants in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) Program. The requisite knowledge of the governing Veterans Administration (VA) regulation demands the incumbent be well informed on certifications for special and rehabilitation benefits in VRE. Notifies claimants and other interested persons or organizations in layman terms relative to their rights and benefits, the submission of evidence, disposition of claims, reasons for our decisions, evidence considered and all subsequent actions. Has a duty to assist the in the presentation of their claims of evidence necessary to adjudicate the claim for VRE benefits to which the claimant may be entitled, including time limits to apply or appeal. Prepares certification of eligibility for VRE services. Develops claims files and schedules appointments. Prepares awards, stop payments, resume payments change of name notice, change of fiduciary notice and all adjustment actions on VRE claims as required. Process applications for VRE, creating appropriate controls for action and initiating a general eligibility determination (GED) as appropriate. Through the guidance of subject matter experts (SME), makes decisions regarding input of awards, EAAs, and other data into the master record. Inputs the data timely and accurately and keeps VRE supervisory personnel informed of any problems. Must be able to audit VRE benefits paid and due. Writes replies explaining decisions in a manner that shows sensitivity, compassion, accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Receives visitors and telephone calls from claimants, their representatives, VRE staff, and others on issues which include but are not limited to status of VRE applications, subsistence allowance, VRE services, entitlement consumed, benefit pay inquiries, etc. Through the guidance of SMEs, resolves issues related to VRE training such as payments, class schedules, termination dates, remaining entitlement, training under other Chapters, and accounts receivable. Issues are resolved by reviewing appropriate master records, claims files, VBMS, and CWINRS. Explains decisions rendered by VRE. Maintains diaries, collects, and analyzes data, and prepares recurring reports as directed by their direct chain of command. Utilizes data analysis to identify areas of program weakness, then prepares spreadsheets, graphs, reports, and recommends courses of action to be taken to correct identified weakness. Knowledge of M28C and CFR, in order to prepare authorization forms for entering participants into training, enter payment data, review course lists submitted by trainees for conformity to approved programs, compute entitlement used and remaining under VRE checking against the prescribed program and basic termination date. Make determinations to establish a claim for VRE and evaluate evidence regarding eligibility for: Original and reopened VRE basic eligibility issues for Disallowances of claims and claims under other Chapters such as 18, 30, 33, 35, 36, and 1606. Provide due process, as necessary. Assists in the effective coordination of all administration functions and among other Regional Offices and Business Lines. Performs parts of VRE's Strategic Oversight and Analysis Reviews (SOAR) and report of internal control affecting VRE operations as prescribed. Responds to requests for information concerning VRE. Prepares responses from source material. Anticipates need for and prepares material so it is immediately available for supervisor's needs. Must accurately review, control, process, and route incoming mail and evidence received from all sources. Identify items of mail that can be processed "at once." Administers participant beneficiary travel program. Coordinates travel arrangements, prepares travel vouchers, and maintains fiscal records. Upon receipt of procurement packet, researches and follows Federal Acquisition Regulations to complete purchases for participants via federal government purchase card. Complete monthly reconciliation procedures and submit to Approving Official. Work with and conduct training for Work-Study, Volunteers, and Non-Paid Work Experience trainees. Other duties assigned by direct chain of command. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework Eligible: Yes, per Agency guidelines. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: PD386240 and PD386230 Relocation Recruitment incentives: Not authorized Financial disclosure report: Not required Bargaining Unit Position: Yes Physical Requirements: The work normally involves mental rather than physical exertion. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/22/2024. 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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. A SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. A SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/22/2024. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent is defined as least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. To qualify for the GS-7 grade level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience in the Federal service or equivalent public or private sector experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the (GS-05) level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is typically defined as, but not limited to experience with knowledge of skills in reference to the vocational objectives, training programs, potential employment; knowledge of contract billing for quality and accuracy and fiscal procedures in compliance with Federal regulations; recommends certification of invoices for payment. To qualify for the GS-9 grade level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience in the Federal service or equivalent public or private sector experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the (GS-07) level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is typically defined as, but not limited to experience with with knowledge of VA laws and regulations; knowledge of skills in reference to the vocational objectives, training programs, potential employment; knowledge of contract billing for quality and accuracy and fiscal procedures in compliance with Federal and VA regulations; and recommends certification of invoices for payment. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for the GS-7: one full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. For GS-9: a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR Combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade 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. 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 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. 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 or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.