The Veterans Claims Examiner (VCE) serves as the primary contact and subject matter expert for the veteran and/or claimant, his/her representative and/or advocate. The VCE explains benefit programs and entitlement criteria, conducts interviews, identifies issues, develops and gathers relevant evidence, independently adjudicates claims, authorizes payments, and inputs data to generate award and notification letters to veterans and claimants describing decisions and the reason for it.

Duties

Explain various benefit programs, entitlement criteria, identifies issues, and develops/gathers relevant evidence from multiple sources to adjudicate education claims. Independently adjudicate claims and authorize payments and inputs data as necessary to generate award and notification letters to veterans and claimants describing their decision. Sufficiently manage workloads to effectively adjudicate complete application packets in a timely manner. Evaluate and analyze numerous types of documents and determine the validity of such evidence in the adjudication of a claim. Review incoming and/or assigned claims and evidence in connection with local protocol for control and is responsible for the timeliness of claims under their control. Conduct interviews in person, via phone or electronically with Veterans, claimants, dependents, School Certifying Officials (SCO), Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and/or other stakeholders. Work as a member of a team while exercising good judgement and professionalism with co-workers, Veterans, and all stakeholders even in stressful situations. Perform other duties as assigned.

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

This position is being filled under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program. This program is designed to allow recent graduates to enter VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic developmental program with potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. The program lasts for one year or more. You can find more information about specific opportunities with the Pathways Recent Graduates Program by clicking here The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here To qualify for this position, applicants must meet both Recent Graduates Eligibility requirements and the Minimum Qualifications for the position. by the closing date of the announcement, 12/22/2023 Recent Graduates Program Eligibility Requirements: The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is open to recent graduates who are legally permitted to work in the U.S. To be eligible, you must have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, may have as many as six years after degree completion to apply. Upon completion of the Pathways Program, the selectee may be converted to a permanent competitive service position contingent upon meeting program requirements and the needs of the agency. AND Specialized Experience: GS-07: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the federal 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. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: (1) reading, analyzing, interpreting and applying laws, regulations, manuals, or other Directives to determine their applicability to a claimant's eligibility for the applicable benefits requested. (2) developing information and evaluating evidence regarding educational and benefit claims. (3) researching routine issues to resolve discrepancies as discovered. (4) maintaining and storing pertinent files/documents electronically associated with a claims process, in compliance with legal regulations. OR Applicants may substitute education for experience at grade GS-07. Applicants may Qualify with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) for grade GS-07. If you have been awarded a bachelor's degree (or equivalent undergraduate degree) in a curriculum that is qualifying for this position from an accredited college or university, AND that degree meets one of the following superior academic achievement provisions, you may qualify exclusively based on education: a. Ranked in the upper 1/3 of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply; 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 (the final 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours); 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 an applicant is claiming to qualify based on superior academic achievement, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit all documentation with their application that is appropriate in relationship to providing proof that the SAA criteria is met (i.e., ALL unofficial or official college transcripts that include GPA, proof of honor society membership, proof of class standing). OR Applicants may substitute Graduate Education to qualify for grade GS-07. Applicants may substitute education for experience with at least one full academic year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level education from an accredited college or university in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary 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 the position at the GS-07 grade level. 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. To calculate, first identify the percentage of qualifying education you have as a percentage of one year of study. Next, identify the percentage of specialized experience you have as a percentage of 12 months. Then, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% for you to qualify for the position at the grade GS-7 level. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate education (i.e., 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of acceptable specialized experience (i.e., 50% of the experience required) would satisfy the qualification requirements for the position. If you are claiming to qualify based on your education, your application must include an official or unofficial copy of college 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 Buffalo Regional Benefits Office 130 S. Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202 US
• Name: HRC-Detroit DEU
• Phone: 313-596-7213
• Email: [email protected]