Contact Representative

The primary responsibility of the individual in this position is to support Enrollment & Eligibility in researching, determining, and explaining complex health benefits and enrollment questions to both internal and external customers of the VA Columbus Healthcare System. The incumbent is responsible to process enrollment applications and work through multifaceted eligibility requirements that guarantees the accurate and timely assignment of healthcare benefits.

Duties

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 duties and responsibilities listed below are those that are required at the developmental grade. The incumbent will receive progressively more difficult assignments, projects, and responsibilities to achieve specialized objectives leading to the full performance level: A thorough and comprehensive knowledge of pertinent laws, federal regulations, polices guidelines, VHA directive and procedures that require extensive training. An in-depth knowledge and experience in the field of patient administration, including medical records and related fields of medical administration, especially related to PBS.

GS-06:
Working knowledge of varied functions of computer spreadsheets, database computer applications, etc. to produce and maintain a wide variety of documents. A thorough knowledge of statistical (mathematical) analytical principles and computer literacy of the degree that program systems are developed, and data entry and reports retrieval can be made. Must be able to plan effectively, have sound fundamental knowledge or organizational theory, and have a high degree of skill in oral and written communications. Incumbent(s) must have a thorough knowledge of the organizational and interdepartmental relationship of an active Medical Center.

The incumbent will have guided instruction by the Supervisor/Lead until he/she is proficient in the development of the skills needed in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. The incumbent must deal with issues or problems with readily observable conditions (i.e., workflow), written guidelines covering work methods and procedures such as performance standards, and information of a factual nature (i.e., number and type of units produced). Must be familiar with the theory and principles of management and organization, including administrative practices and procedures, such as those pertaining to areas of responsibility, channels of communication, delegation of authority, routing of correspondence, filing systems and storage of files and records.

Knowledge of administrative regulations and operating procedures to gather clear-cut factual evidence of compliance with regulations. Skill in applying fact-finding and investigative techniques will be necessary to accomplish this task. Must demonstrate an awareness and appreciation for the pressures and demands of this position and be able to deal effectively with responsibilities. Incumbents maintain cooperative, effective relationships with a wide variety of individuals.

GS-07:
As an Enrollment & Eligibility Contact Representative, the incumbent serves as the subject matter expert and is responsible for applying an extensive body of rules and regulations relative to Veterans Eligibility for VA healthcare benefits, interpretation of relevant laws, VHA guidelines and regulations, and other federal agency policies is required to ensure that timely and appropriate measures are taken throughout data collection and data entry processes.
Incumbent is responsible for processing requests to update veterans personal, eligibility and enrollment information, entering demographic, insurance, and income information, into Veteran Enrollment System (VES). Serves as the subject-matter expert (SME), adjudicating and authorizing Veteran's eligibility applications for programs such as, but not limited to, enrollment, eligibility for VA healthcare benefits, and financial assessment.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am -4:30pm
Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Contact Representative/PD92081A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary

• $45,998 - $66,450/year

Conditions of Employment

• 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 period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/21/2024.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: 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 a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.


You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:


GS-06

• The duties and responsibilities listed below are those that are required at the developmental grade. The incumbent will receive progressively more difficult assignments, projects, and responsibilities to achieve specialized objectives leading to the full performance level:
• A thorough and comprehensive knowledge of pertinent laws, federal regulations, polices guidelines, VHA directive and procedures that require extensive training. An in-depth knowledge and experience in the field of patient administration, including medical records and related fields of medical administration, especially related to PBS.

GS-07

• A thorough and comprehensive knowledge of pertinent laws, federal regulations, polices guidelines, VHA directive and procedures that require extensive training. An in-depth knowledge and experience in the field of patient administration (outpatient), including medical records and related fields of medical administration, especially related to any Enrollment and Eligibility program.
• Proficient in several HEC software applications to retrieve veterans' information: such as, Defense Personnel Records System (DPRIS), Veterans Information Solution (VIS), SHARE, Veterans Benefit Management System (VBMS), Veterans Enrollment System (VES), Cerner, Electronic Health Record Management to conduct thorough research, analysis, and fact-finding to adjudicate Veterans claims for health care, and make appropriate eligibility determinations, perform a variety of data entry functions, execute data transmissions, monitor workloads, and productivity.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:


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.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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/. Other Information

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

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Required Documents

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 use this checklist to 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 Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• 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 Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• 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:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

How to Apply

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 11/21/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12601406.

1. 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.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

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.

Benefits

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits