Program Specialist
Job Location:
Washington, AR - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is located at the National Cemetery Administration in Washington District of incumbent serves in a cross-functional position that processes claims for memorial products such as Government-furnished headstones markers medallions plaques urns and Presidential Memorial Certificates (PMCs).
THIS JOB WILL CLOSE WHEN WE HAVE RECEIVED 75 APPLICATIONS WHICH MAY BE SOONER THAN THE CLOSING DATE.
Adjudicates and issues decisions for complex and sensitive claims for Government-furnished headstone markers medallions plaques urns and PMCs. The incumbent is responsible for evaluating evidence and information such as military records data stored in multiple VA systems lay testimony etc. submitted in connection with claims. Frequently conducts research complexity of the research depends on the lack of information received and requests for evidence and develop claims by applying pertinent Federal law regulations and Department policies. Enters accurate information into multiple VA systems during each aspect of the adjudication process. Enters all Notice of Death information accurately into multiple VA systems when processing claims for memorial products PMCs burial flags Arlington National Cemetery interments or VA Life Insurance Claims. To qualify for this position applicants must meet all specialized experience and time in grade requirements within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement 10/06/2026.
Formats and approves inscription requests for headstones and markers ensuring they are correct complete aesthetically pleasing and in accordance with VA inscription directives and policies. Independently makes determinations on inscription items and placement issues when the headstone or marker cannot accommodate the requested/desired inscription. Consults with the supervisor on inscription issues which are complex or unusual in nature and require inscription policy interpretation for which no precedent exists. Makes recommendations and proposes alternative solutions to the claimant/supervisor for resolving complicated inscription issues.
Provides appropriate written correspondence to applicants within the time limits of submission of evidence when the incumbent determines additional information is needed to grant the benefit(s). Suspends and tracks pending benefit claims awaiting additional information or evidence to support the provision of a benefit. Thoroughly reviews all incoming correspondence and evaluates information/evidence received to determine applicability to the pending claim. Accurately uploads and associates supplemental and subsidiary documents to VAs electronic document repository and proceeds with adjudicating the claims for benefits. Determines and makes appropriate disposition of all records.
Work schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Telework: Available
Remote/Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Position Description Title/PD#: Program Specialist/PD1671667
The full performance level of this position is GS - 09.
Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
If interested in applying for this position you ay preview the online application:
of employment
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 within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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 your most recent non-award 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 this instance you must provide an additional non-award SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one year time-in-grade.
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 education as described below:
OR
OR
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: Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office environment.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:
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.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
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 Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPMs Career Transition Resources website at 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.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants 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.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA career development services for our existing Veterans and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
For more information on the Who may apply eligibility requirements please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.
Required Experience:
IC
