Veterans Claims Examiner

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:11/17/2026. This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 level. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level.

If you are a current VBA employee requesting reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS-13 or higher and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-13. 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 REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of experience to at least the next lower grade GS-12, in order to qualify for GS-13, and GS-11, in order to qualify for GS-12, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

GS-12 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: To be eligible, applicants must meet or exceed their current performance standards and possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level, which is the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for this occupation.

Specialized experience must demonstrate progressively responsible work as a Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR), Rating Quality Review Specialist (RQRS), or Decision Review Officer (DRO) that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Applicants must demonstrate documented knowledge and experience in applying complex Veterans benefits laws, regulations, policies, and Federal legislation pertaining to the full range of VBA programs.

They must also exhibit the ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, on complex and sensitive matters. GS-13 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: To be eligible, applicants must meet or exceed their current performance standards and possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level, which is the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for this occupation.

Specialized experience must demonstrate progressively responsible work as a Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR), Rating Quality Review Specialist (RQRS), or Decision Review Officer (DRO) that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Applicants must demonstrate documented knowledge and experience in applying complex Veterans benefits laws, regulations, policies, and Federal legislation pertaining to the full range of VBA programs.

They must also exhibit the ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, on complex and sensitive matters. In addition, applicants must demonstrate the ability to train, mentor, or provide guidance to individuals from diverse backgrounds in a lead, mentor, trainer, or similar developmental role.

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; 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. 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; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

01Physical Requirements

Work is primarily sedentary but involves use of a personal computer so a degree of manual dexterity and visual acuity sufficient to use these tools is required. Occasional standing, bending, walking, and stooping are also necessary. Significant periods of standing while providing classroom instruction or course managing may be necessary.

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/.

Specific duties include: Prepare clear and concise documents. Assists in developing and updating procedural guidance for distribution to field offices. Drafts training letters, writes briefing papers, and answers Congressional and external stakeholder inquiries. Research Veteran-specific issues and prepares all necessary administrative materials, correspondence, and justifications detailing reasons for decisions.

Deals with issues of both sensitive or of a high-profile nature while advising leadership on the national or local impact of changes in process, protocol, or legal statutes, which may affect or shape the future direction of the organization. Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills, using training, feedback, or other opportunities. Knowledge of teaching, training, research, making presentations, lecturing, testing, and other instructional methods.

Formulates and recommends instructions, directives, guidelines, policies, plans or procedures to administer or carry out functions, which support operations delivery or supporting delivery of benefits or services to Veterans. Develops and conducts training on a national level that supports policies and procedures. Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, cooperation, concern, and politeness to others; relates well to different people from varied backgrounds and different situations.

Responsible for the creation of instructional materials through the utilization of various training authoring tools, in accordance with course objectives. Plans, organizes and delivers instruction in ways that maximize student learning and employ appropriate instructional methods and strategies to meet the diverse needs of students. Evaluates student performance fairly and consistently.

• Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of training programs or operations in meeting established goals and objectives.
• Monitors training programs and activities supporting compensation and pension benefits and services provided to Veterans, their dependents, or beneficiaries.
• Works in close cooperation with other elements of VBA as it relates to Veterans benefits.

The incumbent represents Compensation Service management at meetings and conferences within VA, at other Government agencies, with VA contractors and with representatives of service, civic and fraternal organization. Assists field stations with instructions for implementing policy, procedures, or training.

Studies program operations, new legislation, automated systems, management initiatives, and the operation of interacting programs and organizations to develop new and modified operating instructions and training material. 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-13. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Veterans Claims Examiner; PD39944A and PD41526A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.