Summary This position is in Veterans Benefits Administration, Education Service (EDU). EDU has department-wide responsibility administering VA's education programs that provide education and training benefits to eligible Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Servicemembers, Veterans, and dependents. EDU assists to cover the cost of furthering education and skills through benefits for tuition, housing, training, and other expenses related to education; EDU also aids Veterans transition. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serve as an Education Approval Specialist on the Approvals Management and Oversight team within the Program Oversight and Accountability Division. Receive, review, and take appropriate action on all approval packages submitted by State Approving Agencies (SAAs), federal agencies, and foreign institutions and other actionable items from School Certifying Officials and other stakeholders within an assigned portfolio in support of EDU's mission. Apply all relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing SAA work and review approval packages for program approval, revision, suspension, or withdrawal. Evaluate documentation such as catalogs, licenses, accreditation, and instructor qualifications, then determine whether to approve, request more information, or identify deficiencies. Resolve complex issues with SAAs related to Educational and Training Institutions (ETIs) oversight and may temporarily assume SAA duties when agreements lapse or additional support is needed. Maintain comprehensive records of institutional approval statuses and draft official approval, suspension, denial, or development letters. Act as primary VA liaison for SAA Cooperative Agreements, ensuring SAAs comply with agreement terms and reporting requirements. They conduct quality reviews of SAA approval actions and oversight activities, identify discrepancies, and provide remediation support. Manage funding allocations for contracted SAA partners, oversee budget appropriateness, and audit invoices before submission for payment. The incumbent contributes to quarterly and annual SAA performance evaluations and supports collaborative relationships among VA, SAAs, ETIs, and other stakeholders. Maintain cooperative relationships with ETIs and state and federal agencies, coordinating oversight activities on behalf of Education Service. Validate SCO credentials, monitors ETI reporting requirements, documents findings, and recommends appropriate actions. Provide technical guidance and training to internal and external stakeholders on ETI approvals, compliance, and required VA forms. Attend and present at workshops and conferences, offering updates that impact SAA and SCO work. Assist with responses to inquiries from Congress, the White House, and other stakeholders, ensuring accuracy in education benefit matters. The incumbent supports supervisors on special programs and projects and performs other duties as assigned. 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-11 Work Schedule Full Time, Monday- Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Position Description/PD#: Field Examiner (Education Approval Specialist); PD38788A and PD38789A Financial Disclosure Report: Required, This position requires completion of a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) under 5 C.F.R. § 2634.904(a). The selectee must submit the form before entering on duty and annually thereafter. Bargaining Unit: Yes Requirements Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Additional Conditions of Employment are as follows: 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 or trial period Subject to background/security investigation 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:09/23/2026. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-10, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) or higher in the federal service, state or private sector. Specialized Experience is defined as: Utilizing established procedures to assess, evaluate, and monitor programs or operations for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards, including oversight activities related to education or benefit programs administered at the federal or state level. Delivering training through effective instructional methods-including presentations, workshops, demonstrations, and assessments-to support learning and ensure compliance with education or benefit program regulations and requirements. Applying regulatory and policy knowledge to review, analyze, or make determinations on program requirements, including those associated with federal or state education or other benefit programs. Education Substitution: Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. I have at least two and a half years (45 semester hours or 68 quarter hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (such as an LL.M.) from an accrediting institution. OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-10) or higher in the federal service, state or private sector. Specialized Experience is defined as: Identifying program deficiencies or areas of risk and recommending or implementing corrective actions and process improvements for education or benefit programs; Developing training using presentations, workshops, demonstrations, and assessments to support learning and ensure program compliance. Interpreting and translating complex federal and state laws, regulations policies and requirements governing education or benefit programs for diverse audiences. Independently assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs for compliance with applicable federal laws regulations and policies; OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M., if related. OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level. 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 mostly sedentary with occasional walking, bending, reaching and driving. Incumbent will generally lift office files and folders up to twenty pounds. Work requires lengthy periods viewing video display terminals and extensive use of computer keyboarding. 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/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Awarded/Conferred degrees must be reflected on transcripts submitted at the time of application. 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 here: 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. You may submit unofficial transcripts when applying. However, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to provide an official transcript or a statement from the institution (e.g., from the registrar, dean, or other appropriate official) or equivalent documentation prior to the start date. Additional Information VA supports the use of ad-hoc telework to 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 ad-hoc telework. Eligibility may be discussed during the interview process. Ad-hoc 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. 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. 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-Inform...) The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced 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 your current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.
