Voucher Examiner

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2024. 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-05 position you may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-05 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest nontemporary competitive appointment. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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. 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. You must qualify for the GS-05 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: examining and processing claims for services, benefits, and programs; examine a variety of routine and complex claims/applications for entitlements and/or payment (i.e., travel for Veterans and family members); determine adequacy of information in support of a claim; conduct research, problem-solving analysis, and interpretation and evaluation of laws, regulations, and policies applicable to claims processing. (Must be reflected on your resume.). OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 years above high school. Degree must be relevant to the position to be filled. (Transcripts must be provided). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. The education and experience must be directly related to the work of the position to be filled. You must qualify for the GS-06 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Examining and processing claims for services, benefits, and programs; Examines a variety of routine and complex claims/applications for entitlements and/or payment (i.e., travel for Veterans and family members); Determining adequacy of information in support of a claim; researching, gathering information, Identifying and analyzing issues, and preparing documents; providing technical advice both verbally and in writing to staff. (Must be reflected on your resume.). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Computer Skills Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) 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 walking, stooping, bending, reaching, and carrying loads weighing up to 10 pounds is required. Data entry using a keyboard is required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
The position is located in the Health Administrative Services, Patient Services Section, at VA Central Western Massachusetts Health Care System, in Leeds MA. The incumbent examines and processes claims/applications for Veterans services, benefits and programs.