Veterans Service Representative (CTAP)

The Veterans Service Representative (VSR) works as an employee in the Veterans Service Center. Incumbents of this position serve as the primary contact for the veteran and his/her representative or advocate and the decision-maker for compensation or pension claims. The VSR explains benefit programs and entitlement criteria, conducts interviews, identifies issues, gathers relevant evidence, adjudicates claims, and inputs data necessary to generate the award and notification letter to the veteran describing the decision and the reason for it. Specific dutiesinclude but are not limited to:

• Conducts interviews in person or by telephone with veterans, veteran’s representatives, and their advocates;
• Refers persons to other Federal agencies and State and local agencies when potential eligibility for non-VA benefits is indicated;
• Informs the claimant of all evidence requirements needed to further process a claim for benefits and/or services and assists claimants with completion of the application and other forms;
• Makes determinations as to eligibility for the type of benefit sought to include questions relating to adequacy of military service, adequacy of medical evidence and lay testimony to establish a claim, and evaluates evidence of income, net worth, employability, dependency, and relationship;
• Analyzes, develops and requests required evidence for claims requiring a rating decision;
• Requests examinations, reexamination or opinions to determine the existence of, or to evaluate disabilities resulting from diseases or injuries to ensure appropriate evidence is received from which to adjudicate the claim;
• Applies and interprets VA laws, including Veterans case law, existing statutes and procedures, precedent rulings, and state law;
• Makes determinations and is fully accountable for proper analysis, appropriate development, and/or adjudication relative to VA hospitalization, outpatient treatment institutional or domiciliary care and basic eligibility for vocational rehabilitation;
• Utilizes various electronic data processing (EDP) systems for inputting data; for claims processing, monitoring, adjudication; and for correspondence preparation to inform the claimant and any representative/advocate of the decision and the basis for the action taken.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, actual times to be determined.

Position Description #: 37233A

Promotion Potential : This position is being announced at the full performance level and has no known promotion potential.

To qualify for thisposition, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement Wednesday, May 10, 2017.

Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position(s), and that is typically IN OR RELATED TO the work of the position to be filled.

GS-10 Level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09). Specialized experience is that which demonstrates competence in adjudicating veteran’s claims. Specialized experience is typically gained in positions that have involved the development, examination, investigation, adjudication, and authorization of claims for disability compensation, disability pension, death compensation, death pensionbenefits, life insurance benefits etc. Such experience is to be substantive and relevant and requires a high degree of independenceand judgment in interpretation of more complexlegal and medical documentation to determine claimant’s eligibility and supporting evidence for services and benefits.

OR

Two and a half years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. To be creditable, such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (see “Competencies” in the Requirements section) necessary to do the work.

Note: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for the position at grade G-10.

OR

Equivalent combinations of Specialized Experience and Graduate Education.(To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond two years by 9. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.)

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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 .

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Physical Requirements: ?, The work is mostly sedentary. However, there may be some walking, standing, and carrying of lightweight items.

Grade Requirement : To receive CTAP selection priority, you must apply for a vacancy at or below your current grade level. This position may have no promotion potential greater than your current position.

The following documents are required:
Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies

Responses to the online Occupational Questionnaire (1203FX if faxing)

Yourofficial notice from the VA to support your CTAP eligibility

Copy of your most recent Annual Performance Appraisal

Copy of your most recent SF-50 ( do not submit an award SF-50 )

Transcripts if you are using education to qualify

Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as documentation to support Veterans Preference claims. You will not be contacted for additional information.

Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents : You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site:

Fax Options . The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1943933.

NOTE : If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.