As a Field Examiner you will determine the payee (fiduciary) best suited to the needs and situation of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who are incompetent due to legal disability, mental disability, physical disability or minority ensures that incompetent beneficiaries receive all the benefits they are entitled to and takes necessary actions to protect their assets. The Field Examiner will be out based to the following locations: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.

Duties

Conducts field examinations to determine who to appoint as fiduciaries for incompetent beneficiaries or beneficiaries who are minors. Fiduciaries may be individuals or business entities including law and accounting firms, banks, and for-profit companies. During the course of a field exam, the incumbent assesses the beneficiary's capacity to handle funds, determines the payee best suited for the beneficiary, and assesses the living situation, welfare, and needs of the beneficiary and his dependents. The Field Examiner has sole authority to appoint fiduciaries. Ensures that the veteran is receiving the full range of VA benefits to which entitled and the benefits of all related programs, including other Federal, state, and local assistance programs. The incumbent explains the laws and regulations governing fiduciary responsibilities to the veteran and to the fiduciary. Approves annual budget, budget changes, and major expenditures during the course of the year and ensures the physical well-being of the veteran. Conducts investigations involving the misuse of VA funds that can encompass amounts into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or multiple veterans serviced by a corporate fiduciary. Gathers evidence from banking institutions, corporations, witness statements, surveillance, and any other investigatory method determined appropriate. Makes a determination of misuse and an amount and submits a report to Regional Counsel or Office of Inspector General. Cases may result in liability of the Secretary. Recommends court action to remove a fiduciary due to misuse of funds or misconduct and arranges for immediate replacement. Takes appropriate action when a fiduciary is found to be mishandling funds, including creating an overpayment against the fiduciary. The Field Examiner has the primary responsibility for avoiding VA liability for restoration of funds to an incompetent beneficiary when misuse on the part of a fiduciary occurs. Investigates and makes determinations on a variety of issues including: contested claims for benefits, continuous cohabitation, deemed valid marriages, child or parent relationships, conduct warranting inference of a remarriage, special apportionments, eligibility for VA compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), disability and death pension; and deciding the propriety of special apportionment of benefits to dependents of veterans. As requested, performs special investigations regarding allegations of fraud, embezzlement, abuse, tort, or Equal Opportunity violations; questions concerning dependency status, delinquent accountings; or other issues, and exercises his/her single signature authority on these reports and actions. Supervises veterans transitioning to financial independence under the direct pay program by acting as fiduciary for a period of 12-18 months while the veteran takes partial control of his/her finances. Works with representatives of other Federal, state, and local police, social, and protective services agencies and the courts to ensure the veteran receives all benefits to which entitled, investigates and resolves problems, and corrects identified safety and living condition issues. Performs other related 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.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• On a routine basis, the incumbent in this position will be required to operate a government owned motor vehicle; therefore, incumbent must possess a valid state driver's license.
• Periodic overnight travel may be required based on mission needs; up to two to three weeks travel per month is possible.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience for GS-09: To qualify for the Assistant Director, GS-1801-09 position, you must have at least one 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as work that involves: Use of fact finding sources (i.e., conducting interviews, researching court records, etc.) to verify facts and obtain specific pieces of information; or, experience applying Federal, state and/or local laws and regulations to administer benefits programs or services; or, financial management experience for individuals or businesses. Examples include, but are not limited to: Conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct, compiling findings, and composing reports of recommended action; Determining an applicant's eligibility for welfare programs in accordance with state laws and program regulations; Conducting professional interviews or investigations involving issues/cases such as benefit claims, workplace safety claims, employee/labor allegations, fraud, abuse, or embezzlement for the purpose of gathering factual information to make a determination; Interpretation and application of Federal, State and/or Local benefit programs (i.e. compensation/pension, healthcare, mortgage/lending, insurance, etc.) that comply with related laws, policy, regulations; Establishing and reviewing budgets for expenditures, verifying or monitoring the use of funds, and balancing or reconciling finances for individual or business. Or Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. Or Applicants may substitute a combination of graduate education and specialized experience to qualify for the GS-09 position: A combination of less than the full year of specialized experience described above and less than the full amount of education described above, however, combined the experience and education equal 100% of the required qualification. (You must submit an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrates this information). Specialized Experience for GS-11: To qualify for the Assistant Director, GS-1801-11 position, you must have at least one 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as work that involves: Conducting interviews in a state and/or Federal benefit/services program capacity to obtain essential information and assess an individual's competency to make valid decisions; or, expertise in personal financial management for individuals in exceptionally unique or complex financial situations; Conducting professional interviews or investigations involving issues/cases such as benefit claims, workplace safety claims, employee/labor allegations, fraud, abuse, or embezzlement for the purpose of gathering factual information to make a determination; Establishing and reviewing budgets for expenditures, verifying or monitoring the use of funds, personal financial management, balancing or reconciling finances for disabled individuals or minors who are unable to legally manage their own accounts; Interpretation and application of Federal, State and Local benefit programs (i.e. compensation/pension, healthcare, mortgage/lending, insurance, etc.) that comply with related laws, policy, regulations. Or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or have completed 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. Or Applicants may substitute a combination of graduate education and specialized experience to qualify for the GS-09 position: A combination of less than the full year of specialized experience described above and less than the full amount of education described above, however, combined the experience and education equal 100% of the required qualification. (You must submit an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrates this information). Time-in-grade Applicants who are/were federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more 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, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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.

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. 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.

Contacts

• Address Indianapolis Regional Benefit Office 575 N Pennsylvania St Indianapolis, IN 46204 US
• Name: Kevin Providence
• Phone: (313) 596-7207
• Email: [email protected]