KEY REQUIREMENTS



• Agency specific requirements. See Qualifications for more details.
• Applicants must apply on-line via USAJOBS.

The Veterans Claims Examiner performs the following duties:

• Plans and conducts a broad range of inspection assignments, requiring integrated analysis of a number of different documents, case files, and information systems as well as management programs, systems, and operations.
• Provides technical expertise on compensation and pension benefits.
• Prepares comprehensive written technical reports, presents findings and recommendations for review and examination.
• Makes oral presentations of findings to OIG staff and others involved in the inspection process.
• Prepares and conducts inspections and program evaluations.
• Identifies techniques or methods to use in gathering data and documentation.

Specialized Experience: Fifty-two weeks of experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes experience with Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) benefit claims, conducting analysis of claims applications and files and skill in communicating findings/decisions with claimants.

Time-in-Grade: Candidates must have been a GS-12 for fifty-two (52) weeks, if applicable.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application includes your:

1. Resume - Applicants should address specialized experience in the resume.
2. Response to online questions, and
3. Required Supporting documents.

We use a multi-step process to evaluate and refer applicants:

Your rating will be based on both your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. The assessment questions relate to the following competencies that are required to perform the work of this position:

1. Knowledge of compensation and pension benefits including the claims rating methods and the adjudication process.

2. Ability to conduct inspections, evaluations and reviews of benefits claims rating functions, systems, & operations to determine compliance with policies, and regulations.

3. Ability to prepare various forms of written documents, such as reports, white papers and summaries.

4. Knowledge of using information systems to collect and analyze data.

Please Note: ALL answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package. Upon review, if it is determined that your work history, narrative responses, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, you may be rated ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be modified.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Plan (CTAP)), you must receive a score of 92 or better to be rated as well qualified to receive special selection priority.

Federal Employee Benefits

OTHER INFORMATION:

• One or more selections may be made from this announcement or any other appropriate source.
• Satisfactory completion of a one-year probationary period is required, unless previously completed.
• Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• Successful completion of a personnel security background investigation may be required for selectee.
• This position may require frequent travel nationwide under tight deadlines. The incumbent should anticipate frequent walking and standing as a component of this travel.
• As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
• Selectee may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, prior to entering on duty and annually thereafter. 

The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, please contact us by noon ET on the announcement's closing date.

The Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VAOIG) provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

Step 1 - Create or Upload a Resume with USAJOBS.  We suggest you go to the end of the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer. You may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Resume Tips.

Step 2 - Apply Online Click "Apply Online."
You will be directed to USAJOBS where you must select a resume. If you have documents uploaded to USAJOBS, you may select those you wish to submit as well.
After selecting a resume (and documents, if applicable), click "Apply for this position now!" and follow the prompts to register (if you haven't already done so), answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. You will have the opportunity to submit documents via 3 different options:  1) download from USAJOBS, 2) upload from your computer, or 3) fax.

You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. To do so, log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Apply Online" to continue.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

TO BE CONSIDERED ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

• Resume - Make certain that your resume fully addresses your qualifications for this position.
• An SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action, which shows you have competitive civil service status (Required only if you are NOT a current VAOIG competitive service employee). Indicate in your resume your highest permanent grade held. If this grade is different from your current grade, please submit an additional SF-50 showing the highest grade level held; OR, if eligible under a special appointment authority, submit proof of that appointment eligibility.
• A Form OF-306 - Declaration for Federal Employment Form, MUST be completed and included with your package for you to receive consideration for this vacancy. (Note: This form is NOT required for current VAOIG competitive service employees.)
• A copy of your most recent completed annual performance appraisal that shows the final rating. If you have not received or are unable to submit a performance appraisal, please submit a statement clearly explaining why in your application.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION

CTAP/ICTAP PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY

Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may lose consideration for this position (or lose the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Recommended Information:

• VAOIG employees are encouraged to submit a current SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
• A list of awards received while employed with the Federal Government, if applicable. DO NOT send copies of the awards.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging into your account at www.usajobs.gov and checking your application status. We also recommend you opt to receive status update emails through USAJOBS.  Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.