The Veterans Claims Examiner (VCE) position is located in the Educational Division within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma VA Regional Processing Office (RPO). The VCE serves as the primary contact and subject matter expert for the veteran, claimant or representative/advocate regarding education claims. The incumbent explains benefit programs and entitlement criteria, conduct interviews, identifies issues, develops and gathers relevant evidence from multiple sources.

Duties

Evaluate and analyze numerous types of documents and determine the validity of such evidence in the adjudication of a claim. Conduct interviews in person, via phone or electronically with veterans, claimants or stakeholders. Make proper determinations consistent with the application of law, regulations, and policies. Identify claims which can be immediately adjudicated and those which need further development, initiating the development, to adjudicate a complete application package in a timely manner. Develop facts and evidence while accurately determining the validity of evidence during the adjudication process. Discuss complex information to School Certifying Officials or Department of Defense point of contacts to independently develop and collect information to resolve issues. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• 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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/01/2023. The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience for the GS-7 grade level defined as: (1) Experience reading, analyzing, interpreting and applying laws, regulations, directives, manuals or training materials; (2) Experience in developing information and evaluating evidence to determine a decision; (3) Maintain pertinent files/documents electronically; AND (4) Monitor case files for compliance with legal regulations. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 grade level. Undergraduate Degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). If you possess anundergraduate degree in any field from an accredited college or university AND you meet one of the following Superior Academic Achievement provisions, you may qualify in full for this position without any experience where you: A. Ranked in the upper 1/3 of your college class or major subdivision; or B. Earned election to a national scholastic honor society that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies other than freshman honor societies; or C. Earned a grade point average (GPA) of 2.95 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on all completed undergraduate courses, or all undergraduate classes completed during the final two years; or earned a GPA of 3.45 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on all completed undergraduate courses in your major, or all undergraduate courses in your major, completed during the final two years. Regarding the Superior Academic Achievement provisions, if more than 10% of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, you can qualify only on the basis of your class standing or membership in an honor society. If you qualify based on your education, you must include a copy of your college transcript along with your application. If you are selected for the position, an official college transcript will be required when you begin work. OR Graduate Education. You may present with at least one full academic year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education that demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to satisfactorily perform the work. One year of full-time graduate education is normally determined by the school you attended. If that number cannot be determined, then 18 semester hours should be considered equivalent to one academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable on a pro-rata basis. If you qualify based on your education, you must include your college transcript along with your application. If you are selected for the position, an official college transcript will be required when you begin work. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 grade level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education .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, including 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.

Your transcript (official or unofficial) must reflect the degree conferred date if you are substituting a degree for experience.

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/.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 Muskogee Regional Benefit Office 125 South Main St Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: HRC-Detroit DEU
• Phone: 313-596-7213
• Email: [email protected]