Human Resources Assistant (Workers Compensation) Job in Montrose, NY

Vacancy No. CBTE-12643837-25-TG Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $53,046.00 to $76,875.00 Grade 5 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/16/2024 Close Date 12/18/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Montrose, NY


Summary

This position serves as a Human Resources (HR) Assistant performing a variety of HR program functions in Federal Workers' Compensation. This position is assigned to the VISN HR Office. The Human Resources (HR) Assistant provides technical support and clerical assistance for the Federal Workers' Compensation Program. The incumbent will serve as a liaison between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor's Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP) District Offices.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Supports technical review, analysis and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate processing of WC claims.
  • Provides guidance and counsel to facility and VISN employees, managers and supervisors regarding their rights, responsibilities and requirements under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA).
  • Evaluates the disposition of each workers' compensation claim against the required elements and determines next steps including transmission of documents, written responses, and tracking.
  • Assists Specialist with coordinating access to the work site when requested by the OWCP Field Nurse and/or the OWCP Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to conduct a job site visit to determine the extent (if any) a job may need to be modified to accommodate work restrictions.
  • Reviews and interprets medical portions of less complex claims and research medical terms, procedures, and protocol of medical treatment to effectively manage claims and to understand the impact of the injured employee's medical condition.
  • Reviews the medical costs associated with a claim to ensure that medical procedures, treatment and prescriptions are related to the accepted work-related injury.
  • Evaluates, authorizes, and approves requests for Continuation of Pay (COP), or annual and sick leave used. Monitors requests for appropriate payment on a biweekly basis.Monitors and evaluates leave related to FECA claims for accuracy of payment and resolves discrepancies.
  • Develops and monitors light duty assignments for injured workers until they can return to their preinjury position.Identifies and coordinates permanent job offers when the injured employee cannot return to their pre-injury position because they are permanently partially disabled.
  • Assists in development of educational and training materials.
  • Provides Specialist with draft responses to Congressional Inquiries, including but not limited to MSPB and civil litigation issues both orally and in writing by reviewing workers' compensation cases, performing fact finding, and advising and/or representing management officials as necessary.
  • Preparation of workers' compensation documents for fraud proceedings and prosecution as requested.Prepares a written statement of challenge with appropriate oversight to notify OWCP of the deficiencies when any of the five elements are not met with factual and objective.
  • Monitors the medical progress and duty status of all injured workers by obtaining periodic medical reports to determine work capacity.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Position Description Title/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (Workers Compensation)/PD99960-A
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.
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.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • 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.
  • 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, 12/18/2024.

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

To qualify at the GS-5 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal Service; experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of this specialized experience would typically include: Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders over telephone, in person, in writing, and email regarding administrative concerns; use of office automation software to perform administrative work such as drafting and reviewing correspondence, and data entry; Supports managers and employees through a variety of tasks related to organization and communication; assist in preparation, maintenance, and filing of necessary documents.
OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. NOTE: If using education to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.
OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree. When education is used to meet specialized experience requirements at grade GS-5, the level of the course work must have been equivalent to at least the junior- and senior-year levels of a baccalaureate program. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

To qualify at the GS-6 level, you must possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in Federal Service; experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of this specialized experience would typically include: Researching, applying, and advising employees and managers on HR policies; review, coordinate and maintain employee case files and documentation; utilize office automation software to research and perform work such as responding to customer inquiries, drafting and reviewing correspondence, and data entry; providing administrative support and preparing written statements and other documents.



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

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/.

Additional information

"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."

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.


The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and 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 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 ICTAP and 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/.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

Documents Required:
  • Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/18/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12643837.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS 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 USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details 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 USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Tierra Green
Address
VHA VISN 2 Human Resources
130 W. KINGSBRIDGE ROAD
BRONX, NY 10468-3904
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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