This position is located in a Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office (VARO), Veterans Service Center . The Authorization Quality Review Specialist (AQRS) is an integral part of the VSC , quality assurance program and is a key technical adviser to the Veterans Service Representatives (VSRs), in the Regional Office.Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:08/05/2026.
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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level.
- For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 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 (GS-11): You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-11 Grade Level: To qualify for Veterans Service Representative (Authorization Quality Review Specialist) GS-0996-11 position, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least (GS-09).
Specialized experience is defined as work that involves functioning in a capacity performing training, analysis, or information systems duties related to a claims management process. The experience must be substantive and relevant, and may have been gained in the federal, military, or private sectors.
Examples include but are not limited to:- Assisting in the development or implementation of training for claims management software;
- Supporting analysis of claims data to identify process improvements;
- Participating in information system user testing or modification for claims management;
- Providing technical advice on claim processing rules or procedures under supervision.
-OR-
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.-OR-Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond 2 years by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT (GS-12): You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
GS-12: To qualify for Veterans Service Representative (Authorization Quality Review Specialist), GS-0996-12 position, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11).Specialized experience is defined as work that involves independently leading, designing, or managing training, analytical, or information systems initiatives within a complex claims management process. The experience must demonstrate a high level of responsibility and expertise, including program oversight, process improvement, or policy implementation, and may have been gained in the federal, military, or private sector.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Independently developing and delivering advanced training modules or curricula for claims management personnel;
- Leading comprehensive analysis of claims management practices to identify system-wide improvements or resolve complex issues;
- Managing the design, testing, or deployment of information systems upgrades impacting multiple aspects of claims management;
- Serving as primary technical advisor or subject matter expert for claims policies, systems, or analytical processes;
- Directing project teams or coordinating with cross-functional stakeholders to implement new claims management protocols or technologies.
Education: There is no education substitution
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. Click here for more information.
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 normally involves mental rather than physical exertion. The work is mostly sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, and carrying of light items.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://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.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.
Note: 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.Employment Type: OTHER