Summary
The Program Support Assistant works as a member of one of the Teams in the Centralized Support Division located in Overland, MO. The Program Support Assistant serves a s a primary contact for the Veteran and his/her representative or advocate for Freedom of Information (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) requests. The PSA also serves as the primary liaison for Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and Department of Defense (DOD).
Duties
Major Duties: Responsible for the care and maintenance of the claims folders and ensures that all pertinent records and documents are preserved and are neatly and orderly filed in chronological order in the correct compartment.. Analyzes claim and determine if disposition of claim and control action has been appropriately identified. Establishes or updates control action, to include all tuxedobased applications to include Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), Personnel Information Exchange System (PIES), CAPS and COVERS. Has a thorough understanding of the operation of CAPRI, COVERS, VACOLS, PCGL, PIES, SHARE, ARCIS, RRS, VBMS, Adobe, eMilrecs centralized mail portal and WORD. Fully utilizes these systems to input and/or access information needed in connection with the duties of the position. Requests information from Single Point of Entry (SPoE) units within the Department of Defense or National Archives and Record Administration pertaining to veteran's claim or determines that no such action is required. Makes independent determinations regarding the release of information via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, and both Federal and State court ordered release of information. Explains VA FOIA/Privacy Act programs and entitlement criteria to veterans and their dependents. Assists the claimant with the resources for applications and forms. Acts as a liaison between Regional Offices and other Government Agencies such as Department of Defense and NARA. 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-6. Work Schedule: Regular office hours, Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Alternate work schedules may be available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (PSA);PD37974A and PD37975A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Bargaining Unit: Yes 1272
Requirements
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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.
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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants who do not fully address in their resumes the experience needed for the position (as described in the job opportunity announcement), or who do not possess the education to substitute for it, will not be referred for further consideration. After you have met the minimum qualifications, if you are referred for consideration you will be rated on the following the USA Hire competencies (KSAs) based on your application for this position: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, which may include, but is not limited to responses to the KSAs; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview. You will also be rated on the following agency-specific competencies (KSAs): Technology Application Attention to Detail Clerical Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Information Management Legal, Government and Jurisprudence Writing You may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities identified in the announcement; and/or completion of a work sample; and/or an 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. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and application package does not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. Your application will be evaluated using the category rating method based on your responses to the assessment questions and the documents you submit. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications requirements. Note: Candidates eligible for Veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the minimum qualification requirements will automatically be placed in the best qualified category.