Program Specialist

Summary

This position is in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Honolulu Regional Office (RO), Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Division and serves as a Program Specialist responsible for administrative and technical work. The VR&E mission is to help qualified Veterans with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching to help them obtain and keep meaningful employment.

Duties

Specific duties include, but are not limited to: Resolves complex issues related to Chapter 31 training, such as overpayment questions, termination dates, remaining entitlement, training under other chapters, and accounts receivable.; Answers inquiries to include compensation benefits, home loans, education benefits, and other VA benefits. Serves as backup to case managers in the VR&E by assisting with general issues or resolving minor problems. Provides problem solving assistance to program participant, maintains records which documents actions, and responds to inquiries from program participants, case managers, and contracted Rehabilitation Assistance Specialists. Responds to telephone, emails, and written inquiries from Veterans, Veterans representatives, VR&E staff, school officials, vendors, contractors, and others to resolve routine and complex issues, which include, but are not limited to the following: status of counseling, case status in CWINRS, chapter 31 awards, remaining entitlement, questions about tuition, fees, books, supplies, and subsistence. Processes applications for VR&E services for disabled Veterans by reviewing information found in various electronic systems and databases such as Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) and Share, a Microsoft Windows-based application utilized by the Regional Offices (ROs) to access the Beneficiary Inquiry Locator System (SIRLS) Corporate Record; Payment History File (PHF); Corporate Database; Social Security Administration Receives request from Chapter 31 participants requesting a special service. Advises Veteran of appropriate action required to receive requested services. Incumbent approves or denies special services and prepares documents for services such as medical referrals, loan, and tutor requests. Assists claimants in preparing claims for these benefits and services. Explains decisions rendered by the counselors regarding the IWRP, degree plan, subsistence, and supplies; advises claimants of the right of appeal. Determines eligibility for Post 9/11 Basic Allowance for Housing rate or Chapter 31 Subsistence Allowance. Resolves billing disputes with clients and schools, advising clients on program guidelines while in training, and answering questions regarding subsistence allowance payments. Applies knowledge of Microsoft Office products and VR&E and VA electronic systems, databases, and computerized programs to enter, track, research, analyze, and report on VR&E program and administrative data, noting trends, discrepancies, issues, and challenges Prepares or assists with reports using charts, graphs, spreadsheets, tables, power point, etc. to convey information related to assigned work areas and projects. Tracks and reports on Division budget and local program contracts. Alerts supervisor on status of funds and any unusual trends, challenges, or problems. Manages the VR&E electronic mailbox. Information comes in daily that is complex, technical, and time sensitive. It often comes from V A/VBA headquarters, VR&E program office, the District Office, and the Director's Office of the RO. Processes all incoming and outgoing mail in the Centralized Mail Portal. Manages the supervisor's calendar and makes travel arrangements for the supervisor. Assists with, or manages, any special assignments or projects assigned by the supervisor Serves as Timekeeper for Division. Processes all timecards timely in accordance with timekeeping rules and regulations. Tracks and enters all Overtime expenses, tours of duty, and other timecard issues. Submits card for validation. Serves as System Administrator for the automated case management systems, CWINRS. Runs batch processor, initiates terminal server batch processor and letter file, adds custom letters and forms, and maintains and updates system information as well as instructs new employees on its use and troubleshooting user problems. 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-09. Work Schedule Full Time, Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm 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. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist; PD42072A and PD42073A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Bargaining Unit: No

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:09/29/2026. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Grade Level: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level; Specialized experience is defined as experience in an office setting providing administrative support to include the following duties: scheduling appointments, coordinating meetings, preparing travel documents, telephone outreach, and preparing correspondence. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in a related field, or a Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (SAA); GS-09 Grade Level: In addition to the experience required at the GS-7 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7. Specialized experience is defined as recommending changes in administrative policies and procedures to facilitate the flow of work AND experience completing projects of a technical nature involving data processing and information management. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., if related. Note: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9. 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