Staff Assistant

Summary

This position supports Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Staff at the Department of Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Los Angeles Regional Benefits Office (LA RO), which are 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.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Internal to an agency
  
  Current federal employees of this agency.
• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities
  
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to the following:
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees - Competitive service
Individuals with disabilities
Internal to an agency - appears on USAJOBS
Military spouses
Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
Special authorities
Veterans

Duties

Major Duties:

• Processes VA Form 1900 Applications for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Services for Disabled Veterans.
• 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.
• Exercise judgment and be capable of working independently without supervision.
• Possess 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 VRC's 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).
• Knowledge of and ability to 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.
• Resolves issues related to Chapter 31 training such as overpayment questions, class schedules, termination dates, remaining entitlement, training under other educational chapters and accounts receivable. Issues are resolved by reviewing appropriate master records, claim files and CER folders.
• Explains decisions rendered by the VRC/CP regarding the IWRP, Degree Plan, Subsistence and supplies; advises claimants of the right of appeal.
• Makes independent decisions regarding input of awards and other data into the master record.
• Inputs the data timely and accurately and keeps VR&C supervisory personnel informed of any problems.
• Independently resolves issues regarding check suspense. Must be able to independently audit Chapter 31 benefits paid and due.
• Backup to case managers throughout the region.

Promotion Potential: GS - 9

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

Compressed/Flexible: Not Available

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: 41939-A & 41938-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment you will be required to complete an OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment form
• A complete application packet must be received including resume or other supporting documentation
• All federal employee are required to have federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing
• Official transcripts are required for further employment consideration.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,09/19/2024.

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-0301-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level or higher .For a GS-0301-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level or higher. 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. 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.

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 for the Staff Assistant GS-0301-07 and GS-0301-09: Time-In-Grade requirement AND Specialized Experience must be met.

GS-07: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; - GS - 5.

Specialized experience: may include performing the following duties in a work environment responsible for human services or general office administration: alpha-numeric filing, completing telephone outreach, responding to telephone and written inquiries; scheduling appointments; financial transaction to include account reconciliation and documentation of Federal procurement; accurate computer data entry, and appropriate customer and peer relationships/communication.

OR; An undergraduate degree in a related filed and one year of graduate level education.

GS-09: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; GS - 7.

Specialized experience: may include performing the following duties in a work environment responsible for human services or general office administration: alpha-numeric filing, completing telephone outreach, responding to telephone and written inquiries; scheduling appointments; financial transaction to include account reconciliation and documentation of Federal procurement; accurate computer data entry, and appropriate customer and peer relationships/communication.

OR; A graduate degree in a related field.

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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary although some slight physical effort may be required. 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.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf

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

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

1. Administration and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.
2. Planning and Evaluating: Determines objectives and strategies; coordinates with other parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors and evaluates the progress and outcomes of operational plans; anticipates potential problems or opportunities.
3. Writing: Uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing.
4. Oral Communication: Expresses ideas and facts to individuals or groups effectively; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others; facilitates an open exchange of ideas.
5. Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in lack of consideration for this job announcement.
  
  • Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
    
    • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you should also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
    • Your experience must be clearly stated in your resume. We cannot make assumptions on your experience based on your current, or former, position titles on your resume. Failure to clearly demonstrate your qualifying experience in your resume may result in disqualification for this position and your rating will be adjusted as necessary
  • A copy of your most recent SF-50 (not award or general adjustment). The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
  • Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade (e.g., Promotion, Appointment, etc.) to verify time-in-grade requirements. An award or general adjustment SF-50 cannot be used to verify time-in-grade.
  • A copy of your transcripts if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
  
  In addition to the document above, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility for the following:
  
  
  1. Current/Former Federal Employees: A copy of your most recent SF-50 to show time in grade (not award or general adjustment).
  2. Veterans/Disabled Veterans:
     
     • DD-214 (MEMBER-4 Copy), or document from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or branch of service that shows dates of military service and character of discharge, AND
     • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Armed Service, AND
     • SF-15 - Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
  3. 100% Disabled Veteran Spouses:
     
     • Copy of your marriage license, AND
     • Veteran Spouses' DD-214, documenting retirement, release, or discharge due to disability, AND
     • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, specifying 100% disability at the time of discharge, release or retirement from active-duty service.
  4. Active-Duty Military Spouses:
     
     • Copy of your marriage license, AND
     • Documentation identifying marital status at the time of death and proof that you have not remarried, AND
     • Deceased Veteran Spouses' DD-214 documenting the death of the service member while on active duty, the death certificate; or a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc. specifying the service member's death while on active duty.
  5. People with Disabilities, Schedule A:
     
     • A letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
  6. Re-Instatement:
     
     • You must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
       
       • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field box 24. is 1 or 2); AND
       • Your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field box 34. is 1). AND
       • Highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.)
  7. Peace Corps:employees who have completed at least 36 months of continuous service and have been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years:
     
     • You must submit a copy of your description of service, or letter of service.
  8. ICTAP/CTAP: for displaced Federal/VA employees
     
     • SF-50 showing Career or Career-Conditional status; AND
     • Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice or a certification of expected separation (not a resignation letter); AND
     • Most recent performance appraisal.
  9. Other Interchange Agreements: for employees of the Postal Career Service, Postal Rate Commission, Government Accountability Office (GAO), or Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
     
     • A copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
  
  Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50s (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/19/2024 to receive consideration.
  
  To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12533883.
  
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  
  To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Corey Smith
  
  Phone
  
  515-323-7575
  
  Email
  
  corey.smith2@va.gov
  
  Address
  
  Los Angeles Regional Benefit Office
  
  Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Boulevard
  
  Los Angeles, CA 90024
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
  
  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), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in lack of consideration for this job announcement.

• Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
  
  • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you should also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
  • Your experience must be clearly stated in your resume. We cannot make assumptions on your experience based on your current, or former, position titles on your resume. Failure to clearly demonstrate your qualifying experience in your resume may result in disqualification for this position and your rating will be adjusted as necessary
• A copy of your most recent SF-50 (not award or general adjustment). The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
• Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade (e.g., Promotion, Appointment, etc.) to verify time-in-grade requirements. An award or general adjustment SF-50 cannot be used to verify time-in-grade.
• A copy of your transcripts if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

In addition to the document above, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility for the following:

1. Current/Former Federal Employees: A copy of your most recent SF-50 to show time in grade (not award or general adjustment).
2. Veterans/Disabled Veterans:
   
   • DD-214 (MEMBER-4 Copy), or document from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or branch of service that shows dates of military service and character of discharge, AND
   • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Armed Service, AND
   • SF-15 - Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
3. 100% Disabled Veteran Spouses:
   
   • Copy of your marriage license, AND
   • Veteran Spouses' DD-214, documenting retirement, release, or discharge due to disability, AND
   • Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, specifying 100% disability at the time of discharge, release or retirement from active-duty service.
4. Active-Duty Military Spouses:
   
   • Copy of your marriage license, AND
   • Documentation identifying marital status at the time of death and proof that you have not remarried, AND
   • Deceased Veteran Spouses' DD-214 documenting the death of the service member while on active duty, the death certificate; or a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc. specifying the service member's death while on active duty.
5. People with Disabilities, Schedule A:
   
   • A letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
6. Re-Instatement:
   
   • You must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
     
     • Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field box 24. is 1 or 2); AND
     • Your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field box 34. is 1). AND
     • Highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.)
7. Peace Corps:employees who have completed at least 36 months of continuous service and have been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years:
   
   • You must submit a copy of your description of service, or letter of service.
8. ICTAP/CTAP: for displaced Federal/VA employees
   
   • SF-50 showing Career or Career-Conditional status; AND
   • Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice or a certification of expected separation (not a resignation letter); AND
   • Most recent performance appraisal.
9. Other Interchange Agreements: for employees of the Postal Career Service, Postal Rate Commission, Government Accountability Office (GAO), or Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
   
   • A copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.

Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50s (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/19/2024 to receive consideration.

To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12533883.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Corey Smith

Phone

515-323-7575

Email

corey.smith2@va.gov

Address

Los Angeles Regional Benefit Office

Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90024

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

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), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request