The Program Support Assistant is responsible for preparing incoming paper and electronic mail to the Regional Processing Office for Education Benefits. The incumbent creates electronic files and claim tokens, as appropriate.

Duties

The incumbent processes incoming paper and electronic education mail to ensure that all documents are placed under proper control and added to create an electronic file and create a claim token, as appropriate. Major Duties Include 1. Reviews correspondence to determine if the correspondence is for education benefits and appropriate RPO jurisdiction. All correspondence not pertaining to education benefits or outside of jurisdiction is forwarded to the proper activity for action. 2. Reviews all mail to ensure a proper identification number has been provided. Also reviews and determines disposition of unidentifiable mail and informal claims to include initial development with the claimant to ensure RPO has a complete application. Forms not properly completed are returned. 3. Ensures all incoming paper mail is date stamped, sorted, batched, scanned and indexed in The Image Management System (TIMS). Archives batches upon completion of indexing to place in storage. 4. Ensures all claims are established using the correct date of claim in VA systems. 5. Established work product controls on all originals claims in BDN. 6. Associates electronic documents in existing TIMS file or creates a TIMS file for all new claimants. Transfer files to other RPOs as appropriate. 7. Acknowledges and/or revokes POA from service organizations, agents and attorneys as representatives of the claimant. Enters proper code into master record through Benefits Delivery Network (BDN). Promotion Potential: The position is being recruited at the full performance level Work Schedule: M-F 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Yes, in accordance to agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: 38654A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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, 01/12/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. To qualify at the grade level of GS-06: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the federal or other service. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position within the organization. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required at the GS-05 grade level. To qualify at the GS-05 grade level, applicants may substitute 4 years above high school to qualify. 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript 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 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: http://www.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: Kimberly Sumner
• Phone: 716-857-3821
• Email: [email protected]