Summary This vacancy will close on the posted closing date or at 11:59 p.m. on the day in which 100 applications have been received, whichever comes first. This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Office (VACO) Human Resources Service Center (HRSC) which focuses on the establishment and transition of human capital services for VACO staff offices. This position will oversee and advise VACO staff offices with all aspects of the Workers' Compensation Program (WCP). Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: HR Specialist Total Rewards Major Duties Include: Developing and managing the HRSC Workers' Compensation Program. Monitoring and tracking the VACO staff office's compliance with the injury management and workers' compensation quality indicators. Serving as primary point of contact for the processing and managing of all new and existing workers' compensation (WC) claims within the chargeback codes under the jurisdiction of the HRSC. Completing technical review, analysis, and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate processing of WC claims and providing timely guidance and counsel with regard to Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Evaluating the disposition of each workers' compensation claim to determine whether it is necessary to transmit the claim form to OWCP. Evaluating all claims against the five required elements of a compensable claim. Preparing a written statement of challenge to notify OWCP of the deficiencies when any of the five elements are not met with factual and objective evidence. Monitoring the medical progress and duty status of all injured workers by obtaining periodic medical reports to determine duty status or clarify medical work restrictions imposed to assist the injured worker in progressing to full duties of the pre-injury position. Reviewing and interpreting medical portions of claim based on medical matrices and the level of disability in relationship to the work injury, considering any preexisting medical conditions and subsequent medical conditions of the injured employee. Managing the VACO Staff Office and applicable VA Workers' Compensation Program (WCP) chargebacks to reduce and prevent unnecessary and costly expenditures. Developing and monitoring light duty assignments to injured workers until they can return to their pre-injury position. Evaluating case files to determine potential fraud, waste or abuse. Monitoring and tracking the VACO staff office's compliance with the injury management and workers' compensation quality indicators. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Compressed/Flexible: May be available 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 is authorized 50% telework and selectee will be expected to report to the nearest VA/government facility the remaining 50%. Virtual/Remote: This is not a virtual/remote position. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)/PD09041A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Requirements 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 Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/29/2024. 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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above. To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria: Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: experience that has provided you with knowledge of the Workers' Compensation Program (WCP) sufficient to sufficient to: administer a WCP; analyze information related to on-the-job injuries or illnesses provided by supervisors and employees in support of an on-the-job worker's compensation claim; act as a liaison between supervisors and employees to facilitate claims; evaluate suspected fraud cases; and/ or provide training to supervisors and employees on practices and regulations of the injury compensation program. OR Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: experience that has provided you with knowledge of Workers' Compensation Program (WCP) sufficient to manage the VA WCP; develop, recommend, and implement WCP policy; provide oversight and compliance of the WCP program; interpret WCP changes in law or regulations; and/or develop recommendations to improve the WCP program. Education Qualifying education for the GS-0201 series includes courses and programs in HR, HR development, HR management, business, business management/administration, industrial relations, labor relations, industrial psychology, organizational psychology, organizational development, management, organizational behavior, pre-law/law, legal studies, health care management/administration, public administration, public policy, human services, leadership and/or humanities. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F1; Human Resources Specialist Qualification Standards GS-0201. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Additional Information Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides 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/ " 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.