Veterans Service Representative (FAR).

About the role

This position is in the Veterans Benefits Administration, Regional Office (VARO), in one of the several Fiduciary Hubs. The Veterans Service Representative/Fiduciary Accounting Representative (FAR) is responsible for making determinations involved in the administration of all types of beneficiary estates, the protection of their benefit rights, the routine handling of legal matters, and the identification of legal questions.

Responsibilities

• Initiates contacts and receives incoming calls and communications with fiduciaries and beneficiaries under the supervision of the Fiduciary Program, to explain the full range of VA benefits and all related programs and entitlements, in addition to federal, state, and local assistance programs.
• Advises fiduciaries, trust officers, banking officials, attorneys and court officials of regulations, necessary documentation and other factors which impact the VA fiduciary oversight of the beneficiary.
• Reviews records to ensure that all beneficiaries and dependents are accounted for in award actions (e.g., dependent parents, children living with other relatives).
• Identifies and audits records for possible fraud, embezzlements, misappropriations, or misuse by fiduciaries.
• Conducts in-depth analysis, quasi-legal examinations, investigations, and financial assessments of inquiries pertaining to allegations of misuse.
• Protects the VA beneficiary and their estate by initiating actions to generate payment suspensions, resumptions, or terminations for appropriate situations (successor fiduciary appointment, failure of fiduciary to account, unauthorized expenditures, death, alleged misuse or whereabouts unknown).
• Initiates the appropriate actions/steps (misuse allegation, request a field examination, complete the misuse investigation) and forwards misuse determination for management concurrence.
• Audits and reviews fiduciary’s annual accounting or fund usage to include receipts or other documentation and works with the fiduciary to correct and clarify, in accordance with regulatory guidance, any expenditures that are questionable.
• Reviews surety bonds to determine their adequacy and informs the fiduciary when bonds are found to be deficient or substantially greater than necessary so the appropriate increase or decrease can be accomplished.
• Refers information regarding misuse of funds to the appropriate agency, including the court of jurisdiction, Office of Inspector General (OIG) and/or District Counsel.
• Maintains system databases and records to include establishing and updating beneficiary and fiduciary profiles, changes of fiduciaries, changes of name, address, or direct deposit information.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 08/31/2026.

GS-07 Grade Level

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher. Specialized experience is defined as the interpretation or application of laws, regulations, or procedures to analyze evidence to make determinations and research routine issues to resolve discrepancies.

• Using various computer systems for data entry and maintaining/monitoring case files.
• Applying use of federal laws when processing compensation and benefit claims for a state or federal agency, insurance company, worker’s compensation, disability, retirement or pension program.
• Determining basic employment qualifications and eligibility for benefit programs.

Education Substitution: One full year of graduate-level education that demonstrates the competencies necessary to do the work of the position; or a Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement (3.0 GPA or higher).

GS-09 Grade Level

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher. Specialized experience is defined as experience which requires interpreting laws, regulations, or procedures to analyze evidence to make recommendations.

• Using various computer systems for data entry and maintaining/monitoring case files.
• Preparing various types of written correspondence.
• Gathering and analyzing evidence in order to make sound recommendations and/or referrals.
• Communicating with customers of varying and diverse backgrounds.

Education Substitution: A master’s or equivalent graduate degree; or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of an LL.B. or J.D. degree, if related.

GS-10 Grade Level

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher. Specialized experience is defined as the interpretation or application of laws, regulations, or procedures to analyze evidence to make determinations and research routine issues to resolve discrepancies.

• Using various computer systems for data entry and maintaining/monitoring case files.
• Preparing various types of written correspondence.
• Gathering and analyzing evidence in order to make sound recommendations and/or referrals.
• Reviewing financial, benefit, or legal documents and statements to identify any misrepresentation, fraud or illegal activity.

Education Substitution: Two and a half years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. Upon completion, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Required to attend an 8-week training session, which may require travel.
• VSR Skill Certification required at the GS-10 level.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Effective May 7, 2025, REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards are required for employment.

Schedule

Full time, Monday through Friday. Situational (ad hoc) telework may be approved on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval; routine or recurring telework is not authorized. This is not a virtual position.