Summary The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Click here for more information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's website. Responsibilities The Program Support Assistant for the Regional Processing Office (RPO) processes incoming paper and electronic education mail to ensure that all documents are placed under proper control and added to create an electronic file and create a claim token, as appropriate. Reviews forms and correspondence to determine if it pertains to education benefits Determines which program the claimant is applying for benefits Places new education applications under proper end product control Analyzes which education applications are new Determines/Identifies appropriate file and claim number using Benefits Delivery Network (BDN) Date stamps mail Establishes correct date of claim Batches and sorts all paper mail Reviews and determines disposition of "unidentifiable" mail Determines if mail should be sent to the office where the folder is located or if the folder should be requested from another office Forwards mail not pertaining to education benefits to proper owner for action Return applications not properly completed to applicant requesting appropriate information Requests transfer of folders via BDN and TIMS and maintains controls for follow- up for permanent and temporary transfers Creates electronic TIMS folders and indexes mail into appropriate TIMS file Archives paper mail to place in storage Correct errors in TIMS files and documents that are unidentified, not associated with an electronic file or placed in erroneously in system Acknowledges and/or revokes POA from service organizations, agents and attorneys as representatives of the claimant. Enters proper code into master record Determines proper disposition of informal claims Sorts mail into specific categories and document types Scans mail in The Image Management System (TIMS) Work Schedule: Monday through Friday (times to be determined between 6:00 am & 6:00 pm). Telework: Available Remote: This is not a remote position. Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant / 38654A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 11/18/2024. GRADE REQUIREMENT: To receive CTAP selection priority, your grade level upon Reduction in Force must be at least 6 with promotion potential of at least None. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-06 Grade Level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Providing administrative support and customer service to internal and external customers in an office environment; AND Applying procedures for data entry and record keeping 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. Physical Requirements: The work is generally sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending or carrying of light items such as papers, books and files. Carts are utilized to carry large numbers of claims folders. This will require the employee to push or pull the cart from one area to another. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Other Significant Facts: Customer Service: Meets the needs of customers (internal and external) while supporting VA missions. When contacts are necessary, consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. ADP Security: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, VBA Directive 6300 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VBA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and sensitive information. Education Additional Information 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), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more 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. 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. 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.