Veterans Service Representative

Veterans Benefits Administration•Atlanta, GA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a Veterans Service Representative (Authorizer) at a VA Regional Office. The position adjudicates claims, authorizes payments, and enters data needed to generate awards and notification letters explaining decisions to veterans. The Authorizer reviews work requiring a second signature, ensuring technical accuracy, clarity, thoroughness, and sensitive, understandable notification. The role requires familiarity with rating procedures and includes making or authorizing administrative decisions and special determinations concerning military service, claims, and related matters. The Authorizer also explains decisions and post-decision review options to veterans who express dissatisfaction, uses electronic data processing systems to handle claims and correspondence, and advocates for veterans and beneficiaries in dealings with VA elements and other organizations. This is a full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule of 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. The position is based at the official duty station and requires reporting there each scheduled workday. Situational (ad hoc) telework may be approved case by case with supervisory approval; routine or recurring telework is not authorized. The position is not virtual.

Requirements

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-10 level, demonstrating competence in adjudicating and authorizing veterans' claims.
Alternatively, two and a half years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, with education demonstrating the competencies needed for the position.
Alternatively, a qualifying combination of education and experience meeting the stated GS-11 combination formula.
For current Federal GS employees, 52 weeks at the GS-10 grade level by the announcement closing date.
U.S. citizenship.
Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
Successful completion of required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
Ability to complete a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Review work of other Veterans Service Representatives when a second signature is required.
Approve work for technical accuracy, clarity, thoroughness, and sensitivity of claimant notifications.
Ensure decision notices are complete, empathetic, and phrased in language claimants can understand.
Apply knowledge of rating procedures to ensure proper claimant notification.
Make administrative decisions and special determinations involving qualifying military service, character of discharge, contested domestic relations claims, homicide, presumed death, line of duty, willful misconduct, corpus of estate, violations of the U.S. Penal Code, related attorney fees, administrative error, and fraud.
Authorize administrative decisions made by other Veterans Service Representatives, including decisions concerning character of discharge, line of duty, willful misconduct, corpus of estate, and apportionment.
Explain final decisions and post-decision review processes to veterans who express dissatisfaction with a determination.
Use electronic data processing systems to enter, process, monitor, and prepare correspondence related to claims.
Advocate for veterans and beneficiaries in dealings with other VA elements and organizations affecting their claims.