The Legal Administrative Specialists will be alligned under VHA, Health Eligibility Center, Enrollment Eligibility Division and support the delivery of VA health care benefits and is responsible for ensuring the integrity of VA's enrollment system. The Enrollment Eligibility Division (EED) has primary responsibility for implementing and operating national programs relating to VA enrollment program, eligibility verification, benefits determinations, and enrollment processing functions.
Summary
The Legal Administrative Specialists will be alligned under VHA, Health Eligibility Center, Enrollment Eligibility Division and support the delivery of VA health care benefits and is responsible for ensuring the integrity of VA's enrollment system. The Enrollment Eligibility Division (EED) has primary responsibility for implementing and operating national programs relating to VA enrollment program, eligibility verification, benefits determinations, and enrollment processing functions.
Who May Apply: CTAP Eligibles, VA Station 702 Member Services Employees, VA Wide Employees. Consideration will be given to the first 100 applicants. Any applicants received after the initial cut-off may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.
Major Duties include (but are not limited to): Applies analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature; Tracks data trends, questions, and/or concerns and shares the information with supervisors, managers, and trainers; Prepares written responses on a broad spectrum of inquiries from customers by recognizing issues, topics, or problems; Prepares, composes, and reviews correspondence developed for obtaining or supplying information; Provides data and suggestions to training staff and assists them with developing training; Provides testing feedback on new systems, patches, and/or upgrades to identify problems and make recommendations for fixes or solutions; Performs second level quality reviews and researches regulations that could substantiate, enhance, or restore benefits; Ensures timely and appropriate measures are taken throughout data collection, data entry, validation, and the verification process; Performs second level quality reviews and researches regulations that could substantiate, enhance, or restore benefits; and Resolves missing, conflicting, or inconsistent information by dealing with various VA offices, medical facilities, and numerous databases.
Promotion Potential (GS-9): The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level (GS-9) 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.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour shift between 6:45AM-7:15PM (TBD by Supervisor) Position Locations: The 4 positions are physically located onsite in Atlanta, Georgia and Hot Springs, South Dakota Telework: Not Available Virtual: These positions are not virtual. Remote: These positions are not remote. Position Description/PD#: Legal Administrative Specialist/PD07539A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI):Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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, 05/19/2025.
Time-In-Grade Requirement (GS-7): 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For this GS-7 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. PleaseNote: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former VA employees applying for reinstatement with CTAP eligibility.
Applicants Please Note: Consideration will be given to the first 100 applicants. Any applicants received after the initial cut-off may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below.
Specialized Experience (GS-7): You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-5) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Examples of Specialized Experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
1) Analyze and extract information from a variety of documents and forms to determine their authenticity and applicability to a situation
2) Gathers information, summarizes data, and presents findings with recommendations to supervisors, teammates, and other individuals
3) Responds to requests for assistance with various issues related to enrollment, eligibility, income testing, and special programs
4) Operates a personal computer using the Windows environment that includes Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
5) Enters information into various databases and executes transmission to facilities that will be involved in the enrollee's care
6) Reviews benefit applications for completeness and analyzes various types of legal, financial, and military documents
7) Develops financial assessments to determine the priority for enrollment and eligibility for income-based benefits OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education 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 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. OR,
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA is based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership.1) Class standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. 2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.): Applicants must have a grade-point average of: a. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or b. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. 3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below.You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Analysis and Problem Solving
Communications
Computer Skills
Quality Management
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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: This is primarily a sedentary position, but the work requires some walking, bending, stooping and carrying of light objects such as manuals, documents, etc... Concentration and sustained performance under prolonged stress is required because of the time factors involved in completion of work assignments within deadlines.
A transcript 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 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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include (but not limited to) responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities, completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process), gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities, and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
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.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former VA employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or CTAP documentation (for displaced VA employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Other (1)
Other (2)
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former VA employee
An SF-50 verifying your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50's that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
Most Recent SF50
Within grade increase SF50's at the highest grade held
Promotion SF50's with an effective date more than one year old
SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible Member 4 copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, Disabled American Veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 'Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference' with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/19/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12734728.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is the applicants responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
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 current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
VHA Central Office - Member Services
3401 SW 21st St Bldg 9
Topeka, KS 66604
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Resume
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former VA employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or CTAP documentation (for displaced VA employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Other (1)
Other (2)
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former VA employee
An SF-50 verifying your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50's that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
Most Recent SF50
Within grade increase SF50's at the highest grade held
Promotion SF50's with an effective date more than one year old
SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible Member 4 copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, Disabled American Veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 'Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference' with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/19/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12734728.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is the applicants responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
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 current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
VHA Central Office - Member Services
3401 SW 21st St Bldg 9
Topeka, KS 66604
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
