Summary This position is located in a Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office, Veterans Service Center and Best Eligibility Support Team. The Authorization Quality Review Specialist is an integral part of the quality assurance program and is a key technical adviser to the Veterans Service Representatives. The purpose of this position is to measure individual performance quality as well as identify training needs through the review and assessment of completed compensation and pension claims. Responsibilities Performs individual quality reviews to determine the authorization quality level of individual VSRs for purposes of individual performance standards in accordance with an established monthly schedule. Conducts focused "in-process reviews" for cases to determine the accuracy of claims action taken. (Such reviews are for station-level feedback and improvement only, not used for individual performance standard purposes.) Responsible for sharing authorization quality trend information with management on an ongoing basis and with the VSRs during training sessions. Reviews products or activities for quality of performance and enters the results into the on-line STAR checklists. Evaluates and identifies deficiencies of all elements of a claim from evidence development, income and dependency issues, to award processing and authorization. Provides an explanation of errors and includes comments where attention is warranted. Prepares STAR data reports and provides to personnel in the regional office who are authorized to request and receive such reports. Develops various quality assurance processes with emphasis on work procedures and techniques that address unique work conditions and practices. Ensures all program requirements imposed by Compensation Service and/or the Pension and Fiduciary Service and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims are met or implemented. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 06/08/2026. Time-in-Grade: 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. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-10 grade level. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 grade level. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50).Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information. Specialized Experience: To qualify at the GS-11 grade level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-10). Specialized Experience is defined as work that involves functioning in either a capacity performing training, analyst or information systems duties of a claims management process. The experience should be substantive and relevant and may have been gained in the federal, military, or private sector. Examples include but are not limited to: 1) Conducting focused evaluations and reviews to determine authorization quality and accuracy, 2) Providing advisory services to management via preparation and presentation of quality trend information, 3) Developing training strategies and materials to address deficiencies and/or conducting training activities, 4) Analyzing performance deficiencies and quality trends to identify knowledge/skill gaps. OR Applicants may substitute education for experience to qualify at the GS-11 grade level: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years (54 semester hours or 81 quarter hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M, if related. This graduate education (or completed degree) must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to do the work for this position. Note: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. To qualify at the GS-12 grade level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11). Specialized Experience is defined as work that involves functioning in either a capacity performing training, analyst or information systems duties of a claims management process. The experience should be substantive and relevant and may have been gained in the federal, military, or private sector. Examples include but are not limited to: 1) Conducting focused evaluations and reviews to determine authorization quality and accuracy, 2) Providing advisory services to management via preparation and presentation of quality trend information, 3) Developing training strategies and materials to address deficiencies and/or conducting training activities, 4) Analyzing performance deficiencies and quality trends to identify knowledge/skill gaps, 5) Providing quality-review services, feedback, and guidance to staff in order to correct unsatisfactory performance. There is no educational substitution for the GS-12 grade level. Note: 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. 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/ Education An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications Additional Information This is not a virtual or remote position. 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 full performance level of this position is grade GS-12. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday: 8:00am- 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the hiring office Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility may be discussed during the interview process. Telework is subject to approval by individual supervisors and managers, is considered a privilege not a right, is subject to approval based on performance and other varying factors, and is not guaranteed. Position Description/PD#: 41680A / 37136A Bargaining Unit: This position is in the bargaining unit Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as papers or books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. 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. You may be asked to submit additional job-related information, which may include responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) identified in the announcement; and/or completion of a work sample; and/or a structured interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or your further consideration for employment.
