Program Specialist.

Veterans Benefits Administration; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Benefits Administration in Hawaii seeks a Program Specialist to support VR&E operations, manage inquiries, and assist with administering Chapter 31 benefits. The role involves data entry, coordination, and documenting actions in multiple VA systems.

The position requires strong administrative skills, knowledge of VA education, housing, and other benefits, and the ability to handle time-sensitive tasks in a fast-paced environment on-site in Hilo, HI.

Qualifications

• Experience providing administrative support in an office setting.
• Ability to handle inquiries about VA benefits and processes.
• Familiarity with VR&E case management environments and records maintenance.
• Strong data entry and records management skills.

Responsibilities

• Resolve complex Chapter 31 training issues and maintain entitlement records.
• Answer inquiries on compensation, home loans, education benefits, and VA benefits.
• Assist case managers and support VR&E program operations.
• Enter, track, and report VR&E data using agency systems.
• Process VR&E applications using VBMS, SIRLS, PHF, and related systems.

Skills

Administrative support

Customer service

Scheduling

Data entry

Phone inquiries handling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

VBMS

SIRLS

Share

PHF

CWINRS

Microsoft Office

Job description

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

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Required

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;
• 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
• 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:09/29/2026.

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.

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 primarily sedentary, There may be some walking, standing, bending and carrying light items and shall involve travel to other locations. Limited travel may be required to make visits to other VR&E Out-based sites, and employer offices.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

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:

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 telework to help attract and retain talented individuals, increase worker productivity, and prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

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

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members

Please visit the

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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP),

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:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.