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.
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
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.
HRCDDEU.VBADET@va.gov · 313-596-7213
This position is with Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $67970 – $111087/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-23.
There are 20 openings for this position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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