Summary The Loan Specialist (LS) will work as a member of the Loan Administration Value Stream. The incumbent will monitor performance of loan servicers/holders that service VA-guaranteed loans in accordance with Title 38, USC to protect the interests of the U.S. Government. Responsibilities Specific duties include: The incumbent possesses superior knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts and theories of law (Federal and State), regulations, and policies as they relate to the servicing and liquidation of VA guaranteed loans. The technician also reviews and evaluates the borrower's ability (or lack thereof) to reinstate a delinquent loan as well as the borrower's potential to repay the loan. Conducts audits of loan servicers' adherence to VA regulations and guidelines as they relate to the following work processes: Servicer completed workout and loss mitigation options and Servicer completed loan modifications Reviews servicer completed "Net Value" determinations to ensure compliance with VA established calculation requirements and credit to Veterans' accounts. Reviews claims under guaranty (initial, appealed, and supplemental) and the transfer of custody and recommends approval of payments. For claims under loan guaranty and the holder's final accounting submitted on terminated VA guaranteed loans, reviews the electronic loan docket and supporting documents so that the loan and claim are in compliance with VA regulations and guidelines. Analyzes post audits to determine if payments were appropriate. In the event a holder fails to comply with the regulations governing liquidation of a guaranteed loan through negligence or mistake, the Loan Technician determines if the guaranty is adversely affected or if the security has suffered a decline in value. Depending upon the extent of the violation makes recommendations as to the proper course of action. Follows-up on title documents concerning loans being acquired by VA under 38 CFR 36.4318. Reviews title documents for accuracy and completeness and forwards completed package with recommendation to VA's legal counsel final approval. The incumbent uses considerable judgment in researching and evaluating such factors as income, reliability of income, current and estimated expenses, credit rating, self-employment earnings, property values, condition of property, real estate trends, and real estate law related to titles, mortgages, liens, etc. When necessary, supplements the servicer's/holder's efforts in servicing VA guaranteed loans through phone contacts, correspondence, and face to face interviews in an effort to resolve the problem or to cure the default and minimize liquidations and VA losses. Instruct services/holders on VA requirements for servicing delinquent VA accounts and procedures to be followed in establishing repayment and forbearance plans, initiating foreclosures, termination by voluntary deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, processing compromise "short" sales, completing modification agreements, VA Purchases under 38 CFR 36.4318, and the filing of claims. Communicates clearly and competently with Veterans, real estate attorneys, mortgage banking industry professionals, and services/holders in discussing VA regulations and procedures, and their effects on home retention options, purchase agreements, compromise "short" sales, voluntary deeds, mortgages, loan modifications, mortgage foreclosures, property values, bankruptcy, loan assumptions, releases of security and liability, entitlement, and VA Purchases under 38 CFR 36.4318. Performs other duties as assigned commensurate with the level of responsibilities contained in the position description, which may include special projects, attending meetings and/or training seminars, or speaking before groups. 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-07; GS-09; GS-11. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday (8:00 - 4:30 local time) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Loan Specialist Realty; GS-07 (PD# 42001A); GS-09 (PD# 42002A); GS-11 (PD# 42003A) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:02/18/2026. Individual Occupational Requirements Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. OR Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrated competence in agricultural, commercial, realty, or other @types of loans. Experience may have been gained in such work as reviewing and passing upon applications for agricultural, commercial, bank or mortgage loans; servicing a loan portfolio of a bank or other loan association; performing financial analysis of commercial concerns for investment purposes; appraising real estate to determine property valuation; or similar work. AND 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 (unless if in the commuting area and eligible for a non-competitive hiring authority such as Schedule A, VRA, or 30% or more disabled Veterans). For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. If you are a current VBA employee outside of the commuting area seeking reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS-07 (or higher) and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-11. 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. These requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and those applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level during which you performed technical assignments that involved serving as a trainee studying and examining loan programs, the provisions and applications of regulations, decisions, procedures, legislation and other guidelines governing the various loan program functions in specific phases of loan program activities. Experience may have been gained in such work as collecting and verifying applications for agriculture, commercial, bank or mortgage loans; servicing a portfolio of a bank or other loan association; performing financial analysis of commercial concerns for investment purposes; appraising real estate to determine property valuation; or similar work. Education: One (1) full year of graduate level education in an accredited college or university; such education must demonstrate the Knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Please see the competencies under the "how you may be evaluated" section.) Course work must be in the following fields: finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. OR Bachelors degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) - S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing (upper third of the graduating class), (2) grade point average (3.0 or higher), or (3) honor society membership (Membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies); Course work must be in the following fields: finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of Specialized Experience (1) and Graduate level education (2). To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify. GS-09 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience with policies and regulations related to servicing and liquidating home loans. Experience must include performing financial audits and analyzing financial trends as they pertain to mortgage loans. Other qualifying experience includes performing financial audits and analyzing financial trends as they pertain to mortgage loans. Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., if related. Course work must be in the following fields: finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have at least six months specialized experience at the GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the Federal service; and possess education beyond 18 semester hours of graduate level in with a major study in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. GS-11 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience in all phases of servicing and liquidating loans to include reviewing and passing along applications for agricultural, commercial, bank or mortgage loans. Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Course work must be in the following fields: finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of at least six months specialized experience at the GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the Federal service; and education beyond 27 semester hours of graduate level in with a major study in finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit. Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information. 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 predominantly sedentary, although there is some standing, walking, bending, stooping, and carrying of light items such as files, computer printouts, and other @types of records. Must be able to carry on effective interviews and telephone conversations. The incumbent must be available for travel and able to operate a motor vehicle in conjunction with fieldwork. 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/. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Click here for more information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility. 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. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
