Field Office- Claims Specialist

Summary

Positions under this announcement are being filled using a Direct Hire Authority (DHA)(SSA-001), open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the DHA, Veterans Preference and the Rule of Many do not apply.

NOTE:

Telework may be available in accordance with agency policy. This IS NOT a virtual position.

Once selected for the Claims Specialist position in SSA, you will contribute to the Agency's mission through direct and personal service to the public. This includes speaking with beneficiaries about their rights under the Social Security laws, gathering facts and evidence to establish eligibility for benefits, making critical decisions to determine the amount of benefits paid to individuals, and using state-of-the-art computer technology to access and update information about claims.

Claims Specialists conduct interviews with the public to obtain, clarify, and verify information about initial and continuing eligibility for retirement, survivors, disability, health insurance benefits, and eligibility for supplemental security income including State supplements. In addition, they resolve discrepancies, clarify issues and make final decisions for initial and post-entitlement for benefits and payments; adjudicate and authorize entitlement or disallowance actions at all levels of difficulty and complexity under programs administered by SSA.

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

• GS-5:
  Three years of general experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the federal service that demonstrates the ability to (1) review problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; (2) plan and organize work; and (3) communicate effectively orally and in writing. An example of qualifying experience includes reviewing, explaining, applying or interpreting rules, regulation or policies.
• GS-7:
  One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level (or equivalent) that demonstrates the ability to (1) assist individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits; (2) adjudicate, authorize or reconsider claims; (3) explain benefit entitlements or requirements to the general public; (4) evaluate benefit program operations to assess integrity and quality; (5) interpret benefit program requirements to formulate policies, procedures or guidelines.
• GS-9:
  Fifty-two weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include assisting individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits; adjudicating or investigating claims; or evaluating benefit programs to assess integrity and quality of operations.

Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., 20 hours per week for a 12-month period grants 6 months of experience). The position will include a selective placement factor competency assessment interview (CAIP) panel interview. Applicants must pass this interview to be found fully qualified and receive further selection consideration.

Substituting education for experience may be used to meet the minimum qualification requirements. The following guidelines apply:

• GS-5:
  Completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree or a combination of post-high‑school education and the general experience described above.
• GS-7:
  One full year of graduate-level education in any field, or a combination of graduate-level education and specialized experience described above. Superior academic achievement may be considered a substitution, defined by graduating in the upper third of one's class, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, or membership in a recognized scholastic honor society.
• GS-9:
  Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

Experience and education may be combined to…