Veterans Service Representative (Rating)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veteran Affairs. The Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) works as an employee in the Veterans Service Center (VSC) or Pension Management Center (PMC), Benefits Eligibility Support Team (BEST) or Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Program Division.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Duties

Primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Review and analyze complex medical information (i.e., diagnostic tests, office notes, operative reports, etc.) to determine service connection and disability entitlement.
• Attends a comprehensive training program to learn medical terminology, VA regulations, how to critically analyze evidence, and apply the VA schedule of disabilities to render decisions on claims.
• Assures proper application federal laws and regulations and other applicable instructions, and he or she is fully accountable for proper analysis, appropriate development, and final rating determinations.
• Analyzes claims to determine if diseases and/or injuries were incurred or aggravated by military service for purposes of compensation, treatment, or hospitalization.
• Determines service-connection, percentage of disability, permanent and total disability, and entitlement to compensation, pension, burial, dependency indemnity compensation, special monthly compensation and vocational training, medical and dental treatment, automobiles, or other conveyances, insurance, specially adapted housing, dependent education allowances, and other ancillary benefits.
• Communicates and interacts with Veterans and their representatives/advocates to facilitate timely, proper decisions. As dictated by the circumstances of each case, the RVSR may conduct interviews or hearings in person or by telephone with Veterans, eligible individuals, representatives, and advocates to obtain or clarify information.
• Participates in meetings, assists with training, and is expected to lend his/her expertise in developing VSRs' skills as they relate to evidence gathering for rating decisions.
• Works independently as the decision maker on claims following training and a period of mentoring and working reviews to assess comprehension. A mentor will provide feedback on the quality of the RVSRs decisions.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates excellent judgement, troubleshooting, problem solving, analysis and discretion.
• Demonstrates the ability to handle work-related stress and multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Maintains professional client relationships.
• Supports the organization's quality program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday

Telework Eligible: Yes, per Agency guidelines. This IS NOT a virtual position.

This is not a Remote Work Position

Position Description Title/PD#: Veterans Service Representative (Rating)/ 32104A, 22104A, 12104A, and 02104A

This is a Bargaining Unit Position: YES



Physical Requirements: The work normally involves mental rather than physical exertion.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Marketing Video Link: https://youtu.be/JRf2duGHHXM

Help

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Bargaining Unit Position: YES
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
  
  

Qualifications

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for GS-09: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience includes:

• Gathering or requesting evidence to respond to claimant inquiries for federal, state, or local benefits in areas such as but not limited to: burial benefits, education benefits, monetary benefits, welfare benefits, housing benefits and various other federal, state, or local programs.
  
  

OR

Education- A Master's or equivalent graduate degree, 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related fields of study. (You must provide transcripts);

OR

Combination- A combination of specialized experience and education as described, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

To qualify for GS-10: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience includes:

• Assisting claimants with applications for federal, state, or local benefits in areas such as but not limited to: burial benefits, education benefits, monetary benefits, welfare benefits, housing benefits and various other federal, state, or local programs; and
• Identifying errors, inconsistencies, or omissions in federal or state-administered benefits request package.
  
  

OR

Education- Two and a half years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

Combination- A combination of specialized experience and education as described, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

GS-11 grade level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience includes:

• Explaining federal or state-administered benefits decisions to claimants to help them gain an understanding of claim determinations; and
• Evaluating evidence and allegations to draw sound conclusions regarding benefit claims.
  
  

OR

Education- Successful completion of aPh.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. (Must submit transcripts.); or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level.

OR

Combination- A combination of specialized experience and education as described, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

Specialized Experience: GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).

Specialized experience must include:

• Determining the eligibility for federal, state, or local administered benefits, such as: disability, education, housing, medical and/or veterans' benefits; and
• Applying federal or state laws to process claims pertaining to a employment, disability or benefit program.
  
  

There is no educational substitution for the GS-12 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.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Equivalent combinations of Specialized Experience and Graduate Education: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-9, GS-10, and GS-11 grade levels. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position.

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.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.



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/.

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 following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online please contact vbacohcsosoghostnortheast@va.gov.

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.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C

• 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R
• 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at vacofairchanceact@va.gov. Applicant written complaints should include the following:
• Administration name: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) or VA Central Office (VACO) (for example, Human Resources Service Center).
• Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).
• Date of contact.
• Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.
• Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) (va.gov) for more information.
  
  
Read more


• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  
Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Veterans Benefits Administration

1800 G Street, NW

Washington, DC 20006

US