Field Office - Claims Specialist

US Social Security Administration; Elkton (MD); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

US Social Security Administration is conducting a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) vacancy, open to all U.S. citizens. Positions will be filled as new civil service appointments; current civil service employees would receive new appointments.

Telework may be available per agency policy, but this is not a virtual position. Applicants must meet all qualifications by the closing date. The CAIP interview component assesses communication, listening, confidence, and organization skills, and may be

Qualifications

• GS-5 requires three years of general experience demonstrating the ability to review problems, gather pertinent data, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• GS-7 requires one year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level showing entitlement assistance, adjudication or reconsideration of claims, and explaining benefits to the public.
• GS-9 requires fifty-two weeks of specialized experience at GS-7 level, including assisting entitlement, adjudicating or evaluating benefit programs for quality and integrity.

Job description

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.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. If you are using experience to qualify, you must have:

• 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 include 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 (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.); (2) adjudicate, authorize or reconsider claims; (3) explain benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) entitlements or requirements to the general public; (4) evaluate benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program operations to assess the integrity and quality; or (5) interpret benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) 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 the integrity and quality of operations.

Note: Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period), you will be credited with 6 months of experience.

COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW PROCESS (CAIP) INTERVIEW

Applicants will be required to participate in a panel interview (after basic eligibility determination) to demonstrate an aptitude for meeting and dealing with the public. Applicants must pass this interview process in order to be found fully qualified for this position and receive further consideration for selection. This interview will cover typical situations, which might be encountered on the job, in person or over the telephone. Applicants must demonstrate qualities such as clarity of speech, ability to listen, ability to establish confidence and put others at ease and the ability to organize and express thoughts clearly. If you do not pass the CAIP interview, you will not qualify for the job. Panel interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible.