The position of Program Support Specialist (Claims) is located in the Claims Division within the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), a division of the Defense Legal Services Agency of the Department of Defense. DOHA is composed of the Office of the Director, an Appeal Board, Hearing Office, Department Counsel Office, Claims Division, Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Administrative Support Division.

Duties

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Researches and applies applicable directives, instructions, statutes, laws, regulations, Comptroller General, DOHA, and court decisions, and other published information pertaining to the agency presenting claims and waiver applications evaluation. Plans and organizes large case load assigned. Attends meetings with representatives of other agencies and organizations for the purpose of discussing changes or explaining the adjudication process. Provides specific instructions and assistance to other Claims Division personnel as needed. Participates in special projects and responds to outside inquiries regarding the claims adjudication process and waivers application process.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
• This position is subject to the DoD Priority Placement Program
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
• This position may require up to 10% occasional travel away from your normal duty station for official business on military or commercial aircraft
• This position requires incumbent to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and annually thereafter

Qualifications

For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the length of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume? at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ You may qualify at the GS-12 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to: 1. Applying the laws and regulations to process military pay and allowances and/or civilian pay claims; And 2. Performing legal research to make a final decision on claim requests. You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability to: 1. Applying the laws and regulations to process military pay and allowances and/or civilian pay claims; 2. Evaluating information to write an appeal decision for a final determination; And 3. Gathering data to identify issues to provide recommendations in compliance with laws and precedents. 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; religious; 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. All qualifications, education, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave. Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and, Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Appointment Authorities: For more information on appointment authority eligibility requirements: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/ https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/ Other Special Appointment Authorities https://www.usajobs.gov/ Interchange Agreements https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Types-of-Appointments Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Contacts

• Address Defense Legal Services Agency Human Resources Directorate 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 US
• Name: Washington HQ Services
• Email: [email protected]