Staff Assistant

Summary

The Staff Assistant position supports Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Staff assigned to supervise and assist participants of Chapter 31, Title 38, U. S. Code. Assistance is required in all phases of the VR&E program. Independent decisions to determine appropriate course of actions within the provisions of the VR&E program are required.

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Duties

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The Staff Assistant processes VA Form 1900 Applications for VR&E Services for Disabled Veterans. Incumbent adjudicates General Eligibility Determinations (GED's) for all Chapter 31 and other applicants. This would include denial of applications -processes required notification, appeal rights and CWINRS Auto GED processes. Incumbent must exercise judgment and be capable of working independently without supervision. Incumbent must have extensive knowledge of the adjudication processes characteristic of the VR&E program.

• Responds to telephone inquiries from claimants, their representatives, VR&E staff and other VA personnel and resolves issues which may include but not limited to the following: Status of counseling, case status in CWINRS, Chapter 31 awards, entitlement calculations, tuition, fees, books, supplies and subsistence inquiries.
• Receives veterans and other visitors to regional office and out-based sites making inquiries regarding VR&E issues. Screens issues presented by the veterans or other visitors, and in the absence of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), and within the scope of assigned responsibilities, serves as VA representative to resolve issues presented by veterans.
• Assists VRCs with Chapter 31 enrollments by preparing certification lists for training facilities and preparing 28-1905 authorizing enrollments. Assists VRCs to maintain satisfactory supervisory schedules by maintaining calendar of requires supervision visits, preparing schedule letter to veteran and rescheduling requested supervisory dates. Reviews enrollment certification from school certifying officer to ensure veteran is properly enrolled, enrolled in course work required of degree plan, and that enrollment qualifies for an appropriate subsistence allowance. Must be proficient in utilizing VA ONCE. Determines if enrollment is appropriate as prescribed by degree plan, Individual Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP), and proper rate of subsistence pay. Prepares subsistence award as independent reviewer.
• Authorizes Chapter 31 subsistence awards using Claims Authorization (CAUT) command. Solves payment inquiries, possesses a basic knowledge of the computer, processing procedures, master record storage, code identification and translation systems. Determines eligibility for Post 9/11 BAH rate or Chapter 31 SA.
• Receives VR&E billings from schools for tuition, books, fees and supplies. Ensures all receipts are date stamped. Reviews voucher for correct billing for tuition, fees and books. Evaluates supply billing for items not authorized for VR&E. Prepares certification document for case manager to present to the voucher auditor for payment.
• Receives grades from schools for veterans training _under Chapter 31. Associates with proper Counseling, Evaluation, Rehabilitation (CER) folder and degree plan to determine if veteran is achieving successful pursuit. Prepares action document for case manager as grades dictate (Noting failing grades, Incompletes, and withdrawals).
• Independently and effectively utilize CWINRS to effectively accomplish Chapter 31 award actions, update case status, read screens, draw conclusions, determine appropriate award action and make recommendations from screen review, prepare original word processing documents and utilize glossaries to prepare documents.
• Receives request from Chapter 31 participants requesting a special service. Advises veteran of appropriate action required to receive requested services. Incumbent approves or denies special services and prepares documents for services such as medical referrals, loan requests and tutor requests. Assists claimants in preparing claims for these benefits, services, rights and privileges. Assists in procuring and preparing documents or other evidence when required. (Example: benefits, applications, medical records, DD214s and beneficiary documents.)

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The grade progression for this position is GS-07/09.

Work Schedule : Full time, Monday through Friday 07:00 am - 03:30 pm PT. Tour will be determined after final selections. Tour is subject to change based on program needs.

Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized

Telework : Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Position Description/PD# : Staff Assistant/ 41938A, 41939A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Bargaining Unit: Yes

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or a 2-year trial period, during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• The needs and interests of the Agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Additional Conditions of Employment are as follows:

• 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 or trial period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Required to attend an 8 week training session, which may require travel.
• VSR Skill Certification required at the GS-10 level
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment you will be required to complete an Optional Form-306 Declaration for Federal Appointment (OF-306).
• All federal employees are required to have federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 07/06/2026.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT : As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

• For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level.
• For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level.
• If you are a current VBA employee requesting a reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS-07 (or higher) and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-09.

You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing that you are in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you possess (1) year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates (1) year time-in-grade. General Adjustment and Award SF-50's cannot be used for time-in-grade verification purposes.

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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-07 Grade Level:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher. Specialized experience is defined as: to perform routine administrative tasks such as maintaining filing systems, conducting basic outreach, responding to standard inquiries, scheduling appointments, processing simple financial transactions, entering data accurately, and providing courteous customer service. Work at this level is generally well-defined and completed with regular supervision.

OR

Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have:

• 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement

GS-09 Grade Level:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher. Specialized experience is defined as: to reflect a higher level of independence and complexity, including managing administrative tasks with minimal supervision, applying established procedures, resolving more complex inquiries, preparing documents or reports requiring analysis, and supporting office operations with greater technical skill and responsibility. Work at this level demonstrates increased judgment and autonomy.

OR

Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have:

• master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, orLL.B. or J.D., if related

Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g., have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The position is primarily in an office setting. Some travel may be necessary on occasion for training, meetings, or customer interactions.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.

Note: You may submit unofficial transcripts when applying. However, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to provide an official transcript or a statement from the institution (e.g., from the registrar, dean, or other appropriate official) or equivalent documentation prior to the start date.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a federal employee.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members : Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP),

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.