Staff Assistant.

Duties

• Process VA Form 1900 Applications for VR&E Services for Disabled Veterans.
• Adjudicate General Eligibility Determinations (GED's) for all Chapter 31 and other applicants, including denial of applications, processing required notification, appeal rights, and CWINRS Auto GED processes.
• Exercise judgment and work independently without supervision.
• Respond to telephone inquiries from claimants, their representatives, VR&E staff, and other VA personnel; resolve issues including status of counseling, case status in CWINRS, Chapter 31 awards, entitlement calculations, tuition, fees, books, supplies, and subsistence inquiries.
• Receive veterans and other visitors to regional office and out-based sites making inquiries regarding VR&E issues; screen issues presented and, in the absence of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), serve as VA representative to resolve issues.
• Assist VRCs with Chapter 31 enrollments by preparing certification lists for training facilities and preparing 28-1905 authorizing enrollments.
• Assist VRCs to maintain satisfactory supervisory schedules by maintaining calendar of required supervision visits, preparing schedule letters to veterans, and rescheduling requested supervisory dates.
• Review enrollment certification from school certifying officer to ensure veteran is properly enrolled, enrolled in course work required of degree plan, and that enrollment qualifies for an appropriate subsistence allowance.
• Utilize VA ONCE proficiently; determine if enrollment is appropriate as prescribed by degree plan, Individual Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP), and proper rate of subsistence pay; prepare subsistence award as independent reviewer.
• Authorize Chapter 31 subsistence awards using Claims Authorization (CAUT) command; solve payment inquiries; possess basic knowledge of computer, processing procedures, master record storage, code identification, and translation systems; determine eligibility for Post 9/11 BAH rate or Chapter 31 SA.
• Receive VR&E billings from schools for tuition, books, fees, and supplies; ensure all receipts are date stamped; review voucher for correct billing; evaluate supply billing for items not authorized for VR&E; prepare certification document for case manager to present to voucher auditor for payment.
• Receive grades from schools for veterans training under Chapter 31; associate with proper Counseling, Evaluation, Rehabilitation (CER) folder and degree plan to determine if veteran is achieving successful pursuit; prepare action document for case manager as grades dictate.
• Utilize CWINRS effectively to accomplish Chapter 31 award actions, update case status, read screens, draw conclusions, determine appropriate award action and make recommendations from screen review, prepare original word processing documents, and utilize glossaries to prepare documents.
• Receive requests from Chapter 31 participants requesting special services; advise veteran of appropriate action required; approve or deny special services and prepare documents for services such as medical referrals, loan requests, and tutor requests; assist claimants in preparing claims for these benefits, services, rights, and privileges; assist in procuring and preparing documents or other evidence when required.
• Resolve issues related to Chapter 31 training such as overpayment questions, class schedules, termination dates, remaining entitlement, training under other educational chapters, and accounts receivable; review appropriate master records, claim files, and CER folders.
• Make independent decisions regarding input of awards and other data into the master record; input data timely and accurately; keep VR&C supervisory personnel informed of any problems; independently resolve issues regarding check suspense; independently audit Chapter 31 benefits paid and due.

Work Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm. Compressed/flexible schedules are 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.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated; upon completion, employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements; effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification.

Qualifications

Time-in-Grade Requirement: As a current Federal GS employee, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level for a GS-09 position. An SF-50 that demonstrates time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application.

Minimum Qualification Requirement (GS-09): One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level, described as performing the following duties in a work environment responsible for human services or general office administration: alpha-numeric filing, completing telephone outreach, responding to telephone and written inquiries, scheduling appointments, financial transaction to include account reconciliation and documentation of Federal procurement, accurate computer data entry, and appropriate customer and peer relationships/communication.

Education Substitution: A master's or equivalent graduate degree (including LL.B. or J.D. if related) or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the competencies necessary to do the work. Transcripts must be provided when substituting for education.

Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level, the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs and other organizations. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.

Additional Information

• This position may be authorized for telework; telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
• The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority; appropriate documentation must be submitted and you must be found well-qualified (final rating of 85 or more).
• The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy; the position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.
• 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.