This Program Specialist position is out-based in Sunrise, FL from the St. Petersburg Regional Office. The incumbent informs and motivates individuals to utilize benefits and services. Responds to telephone inquiries from claimants, their representatives, VR&E staff, and other VA personnel. Resolves issues which may include but not limited to the following: status of counseling, case status, Chapter 31 awards, entitlement calculations, tuition, fees, books, supplies, and subsistence inquiries.

Duties

Responsible for overall management, control, and execution of the office programs. Provide advice and guidance on program specifications to veterans, managers, staff, line managers and representatives from other Federal agencies. Develop support agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with other Federal agencies supporting the program and monitors supporting agency compliance with agreements Screen issues presented by the Veterans or other visitors, and within the scope of assigned responsibilities, serves as VA representative to resolve issues presented by veterans. Provides administrative support in the responsibilities for personnel management, budget administration, procurement, office administration, and other related activities covering all facets. Responsible for reviewing all applications for VA Vocational Rehabilitation benefits and services. Analyze and evaluates the effectiveness of the program to meet established goals and objectives. Assists vocational rehabilitation counselors with Chapter 31 enrollments by preparing certification lists for training facilities and preparing authorizing enrollments. Resolves training issues: overpayment questions, class schedules, termination dates, remaining entitlement, training under other educational chapters and accounts receivable Responsible for review of all cases in Rehabilitation to Employment and Interrupted Status to determine if case status change is required. Make purchases for the organization. Consult with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate activities for the good of the program. Provide advice and guidance specifications throughout the organization. Responsible for the role of time keeper Answer correspondence, prepare briefing charts, fact sheets, as necessary; market program and design brochures, pamphlets and flyers; attend high level meetings with key stakeholders to coordinate, explain and provide guidance on the program.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors.
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/01/2023. The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here Specialized Experience: To Qualify at the grade level of GS-09: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the federal or other service. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, within the organization. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: (1) Experience providing administrative support in a Vocational and Rehabilitation and Employment environment; (2) Experience working with contracting practices and procedures; (3) Assist in performing program reviews evaluating the effectiveness of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment operations, and or assisting disabled persons, with their rehabilitation and employment. OR Applicants may substitute Graduate Education to qualify for grade GS-9. Applicants may substitute education for experience with an awarded master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL. B or J.D.) from an accredited college or university, or two full years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. This graduate degree or education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. If you are claiming to qualify based on your education, your application must include an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrate this information. OR Applicants may substitute a combination of graduate education and specialized experience to qualify for grade GS-9. If you have some, but not all, of the graduate education described above AND less than one full year of the specialized experience described above, you may qualify by combining the amount of creditable education and experience that you do have. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9. To calculate, first identify the education you have earned beyond your first year of study as a percentage of a total of two years of study. Then identify the number of months of specialized experience you have as a percentage of 12 months. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to be qualifying. For example, an applicant who has 27 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e., 50% of graduate education required beyond the first 18 credit hours earned) and who has 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e., 50% of the one year of specialized experience required) would meet 100% and thus be qualified for the position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9. If you are claiming to qualify based on your education, your application must include an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrate this information. Note: 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 you document, to include volunteer experience.

Education

An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts 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: 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: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address St Petersburg Regional Benefit Office 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: HRC-Detroit DEU
• Phone: 313-596-7213
• Email: [email protected]