- Position Title
- Social Insurance Specialist (Claims Specialist)
- Agency
- Social Security Administration
- Announcement Number
- ST-12581623-25-KC Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, October 21, 2024 to Friday, November 8, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
Please read the questions carefully. Responding "No" may result in loss of further consideration.
1.
Are you a current SSA employee applying for reassignment, change to lower grade, or repromotion to a grade you previously held on a permanent basis? Select yes if you currently hold or previously held a permanent position at or above the grade level(s) posted in this vacancy announcement. (NOTE: If the posted position has higher promotion potential than you have held on a permanent basis, you must apply for promotion to receive consideration.)
OR
Are you applying for non-competitive consideration? Select yes if you are an SSA employee currently serving under one of the following appointment types: Schedule A 213.3102(u) for individuals with disabilities; temporary/term appointment for 30% or more disabled veterans; or Veterans Recruitment Appointment (Note: Employees serving on VRA appointments are only eligible for non-competitive consideration for positions at GS-11 or below).
OR
Are you applying for non-competitive consideration? Select yes if you are an SSA employee currently serving under one of the following appointment types: Schedule A 213.3102(u) for individuals with disabilities; temporary/term appointment for 30% or more disabled veterans; or Veterans Recruitment Appointment (Note: Employees serving on VRA appointments are only eligible for non-competitive consideration for positions at GS-11 or below).
2.
Are you a current SSA employee applying for promotion? Select yes if you have 52 weeks at the next lower grade AND you have not held a permanent position at the grade level(s) posted in this vacancy announcement, OR if this position has higher promotion potential than the positions you have held on a permanent basis.
Preferences
1.
Please enter your Employee Common ID (ECI). Your ECI can be found on the first page of Employee Data. NOTE: The Employee Data website is only viewable from within SSA's firewall.
2.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
For the statements below, please select the response that best describes your experience and/or education. Select only one answer.
1.
Your response to the question below will determine if you qualify for the position of Claims Specialist, GS-7. If you meet more than one choice, select the response that describes the highest level of experience/education that you possess. You must fully meet the description in the response to select it. You may be required to provide proof for the response you select.
2.
Your response to the question below will determine if you qualify for the position of Claims Specialist, GS-9. If you meet more than one choice, select the response that describes the highest level of experience/education that you possess. You must fully meet the description in the response to select it. You may be required to provide proof for the response you select.
3.
Your response to the question below will determine if you qualify for the position of Claims Specialist, GS-11. If you meet more than one choice, select the response that describes the highest level of experience/education that you possess. You must fully meet the description in the response to select it. You may be required to provide proof for the response you select.
4.
Are you currently in good standing?
CAUTION: Employees are not in good standing when they are placed on an OPS plan, and remain in not in good standing until they meet one of the following conditions:
In good standing information can be found on the first page of Employee Data. NOTE: The Employee Data website is only viewable from within SSA's firewall.
CAUTION: Employees are not in good standing when they are placed on an OPS plan, and remain in not in good standing until they meet one of the following conditions:
- Successful completion of the OPS plan;
- Following the unsuccessful completion of the OPS, receive a successful rating for a new appraisal period under a new plan for a new position (if applicable based on the effectuated performance-based action); or
- Voluntarily change positions prior to completing the OPS.
In good standing information can be found on the first page of Employee Data. NOTE: The Employee Data website is only viewable from within SSA's firewall.
5.
Please select the statement that best describes your status.
Please answer yes or no to the statements below. Note: Submission of this electronic questionnaire is certification that all responses are true to the best of your knowledge. Materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
6.
Develop and process a wide range of complex SSA entitlement actions (e.g. federal old-age, survivors and disability insurance; supplemental security income or health insurance for the aged, blind, and disabled, relationship issues, rep payee misuse, SSI complex living arrangements). (8 points)
7.
Provide formal and informal technical guidance to others on questions and problems concerning claimants benefit eligibility. (4 points)
8.
Request and evaluate evidence to develop and resolve issues in accordance with SSA policy and procedure. (4 points)
9.
Monitor case findings, develop and disseminates information on SSA programmatic cases. (2 point)
10.
Analyze and develop complex policy and situations and make proper referrals (e.g., multiple entitlements, earnings discrepancies, fraud, etc.). (6 points)
11.
Gather information from multiple sources (e.g. computer output, written documents, oral communications) and evaluate interrelated factors to define issues related to a particular situation or problem. (4 points)
12.
Identify, examine, and integrate information to resolve problems or questions, in order to make and implement decisions in the most complex cases (e.g., relationship issues, workers compensation, government pension offset & earnings). (4 points)
13.
Analyze customer needs and make routine determinations and referrals based on the information provided. (2 point)
14.
Communicate with claimants/beneficiaries, departments, other government agencies, third parties, etc. to convey or obtain technical information regarding benefit programs. (6 points)
15.
Provide informal training to individuals in a group setting or serve as a mentor. (4 points)
16.
Utilize variety of techniques addressing emotional distress from customers. (4 points)
17.
Determine the appropriate action when collecting data from customers and remains engaged through the complete process. (2 point)
18.
Develop and prepare formal communications and determinations in writing to claimants, departments, other government agencies, third parties, etc. involving complex laws, regulations and procedures. (6 points)
19.
Prepare correspondence that explains problems, discrepancies and reasons for actions taken in matters pertaining to laws, regulations and/or procedures. (4 points)
20.
Prepare written request for assistance to solicit pertinent information, clearly describing information requested. (2 point)
21.
Draft accurate notes when receiving calls from individuals in need or in crisis, providers, and representatives to update their records. (2 point)
22.
Utilize available automated/online tools or create an automated workflow process to increase workload efficiency for the office. (8 point)
23.
Use online resources to answer questions and determine appropriate development and documentation, including explaining the use of available online services to the customer. (4 point)
24.
Process inputs by using the appropriate automated systems. (2 point)
25.
Use computers/laptops and various software programs (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, LAN, Outlook, etc.). (2 point)
26.
Identify and analyze inefficiencies and obstacles to existing workflows, and make recommendations for improvement. (8 points)
27.
Maximize use of time and resources to process a large variety of complex workloads. (6 points)
28.
Manage changing workloads, priorities and/or work assignments to achieve desired results on a consistent basis. (4 points)
29.
Organize and manage pending work to control and process workloads. (2 point)