Accounts Receivable Technician

Summary

This position is located with the Department of Veterans Affairs Debt Management Center, within the Office of Finance, Office of Management. The primary purpose of this position is to process financial transactions and perform tasks related to debt collections, to include performing account research, responding to customer inquiries, and processing financial transactions.

Duties

Major Duties:

• Provides general support for an accounts receivable/debt collection function.
• Serves as principal point of contact for debtors, partners, and stakeholders regarding accounts receivable.
• Processes customer requests following correct procedures within specific time frames and by priorities.
• Answers inquiries with complete, concise, and accurate information using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

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
• 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
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your one year probationary period or two year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Physical Requirements: The work is performed mostly while sitting at a desk. Constant use of computer terminals requires keyboard familiarity and dexterity.

Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from St. Paul, Minnesota. This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 1 Federal Drive, Suite 4500, St Paul, MN 55111.

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: 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-05 position, you may be advanced without time restriction if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade held within the preceding 52 weeks. 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 some former Federal employees applying for reinstatement, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade.
You may qualify for the GS-05 level 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 GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Utilizing basic computer applications/software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook or similar applications; Communicating with customers or colleagues by phone, email, or in writing to answer questions or provide information; Reviewing documents, records, or data for accuracy; and Completing assigned tasks within established deadlines or quality standards. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four years above high school. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year). One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Reviewing policies and procedures to generate alternative solutions; Communicating with customers or colleagues by phone, email, or in writing to explain processes, resolve discrepancies, or provide status updates; Reviewing financial records, or transactions, or documentation for accuracy and completeness; Drafting written correspondence, such as letters or emails, to respond to customer inquiries or requests for information.

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Researching and analyzing account, or transaction, or case records across multiple systems to discrepancies and determine an appropriate resolution; Preparing written correspondence and delivering oral explanations to customers, colleagues, and other stakeholders to convey complex or technical information clearly; Reviewing completed transactions, or records, or documentation for accuracy with established policies; Responding to customer inquiries by assessing the situation, explaining options or requirements, and resolving the issues or satisfying their expectations.

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: Resume must include job title and employer name, number of hours worked per week, start and end dates (including month and year), list of duties and responsibilities for each position held. In addition, if the experience was a federal position, you must list series and grade for each position held. Failure to include this information may result in an ineligible rating. A full year of work is considered to be 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.
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

There is educational substitution at the GS-05 grade level.

There is no educational substitution at the GS-06 or GS-07 grade levels.
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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office.

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 for this vacancy. To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• GS-05: Proficient with basic office software (Word, Excel, Outlook) and able to navigate case and document repositories to perform basic research and data entry; Writes organized, clear responses using proper grammar; uses pattern paragraphs when appropriate and uploads correspondence to required repositories; Demonstrates consistent attention to detail and produces high-quality work products that meet service standards; Protects private personal information and follows established procedures and due-process requirements when handling debtor information; Performs basic account research across multiple systems; makes concise system notes; escalates cases appropriately when issues arise.
• GS-06: Applies policies/procedures to routine debt-collection tasks; interprets guidance and proposes practical alternatives under close supervision; Initiates clear written correspondence to respond to customer requests and summarizes actions in concise system notes; Processes basic financial transactions (e.g., pausing/resuming collection, payment plan updates) and ensures supporting documentation is properly stored; Collaborates with stakeholders to resolve questions; monitors approvals and escalates delays to management; Demonstrates strong attention to detail and accuracy while learning increasingly complex AR/collection procedures; Maintains privacy and due-process standards while engaging professionally with internal teams and stakeholders.
• GS-07: Works independently as a principal point of contact on AR/debt cases; answers inquiries with complete, concise, accurate information; Demonstrates proficiency with federal claims and VA financial policies (e.g., 31 CFR Chapter IX, VA Financial Policy, TFM) and uses judgment to apply them to specific accounts; Analyzes account histories across multiple systems; calculates and submits transactions for authorization; documents decisions clearly; Evaluates and negotiates repayment plans based on indebtedness and debtor financial condition; proposes viable alternatives when needed; Processes waiver requests/compromise offers and serves as member or alternate on COWC, ensuring jurisdiction, eligibility, and proper case disposition.

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/.

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 (HRA) at The Fair Chance Act.
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.
Placement 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.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
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.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:
https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information

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.

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.
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.

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.