Benefit Authorizer (Central Processing) Direct Hire Authority

About the role

This position is located in the Southeastern Processing Center (SEPC) located at 1200 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd Birmingham, AL 35285. This is a career-ladder position offering the opportunity for annual promotion based on performance leading up to the GS-9 grade level. Normally candidates are hired at step one unless they have prior federal experience with no break in service.

Responsibilities

• Make final determinations on benefit entitlement decisions.
• Have direct telephone contact with the public to resolve issues or discrepancies and provide them with their rights under Social Security laws.
• Adjust established benefits and effectuate payments.
• Use state-of-the-art computer technology to access and update information about claims.
• Determine if applicants are eligible to receive or continue receiving benefits and/or payments for various Social Security programs.
• Answer questions from callers to Social Security's 800 number telephone network.
• Resolve issues or discrepancies and explain Social Security program information to the public.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

Note: Telework may be available in accordance with agency policy. This is NOT a virtual position.

Pay

Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Refer to Salaries & Wages for locality pay tables.

Schedule

This is NOT a virtual position.

Skills

Must have the ability to:

• Review problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
• Plan and organize work.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Assist individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.).
• Adjudicate, authorize or reconsider claims.
• Explain benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) entitlements or requirements to the general public.
• Evaluate benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program operations to assess the integrity and quality.
• Interpret benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program requirements to formulate policies, procedures or guidelines.

Benefits

Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Refer to Salaries & Wages for locality pay tables.

Pay

Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Refer to Salaries & Wages for locality pay tables.

Schedule

This is NOT a virtual position.

Skills

Must have the ability to:

• Review problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
• Plan and organize work.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Assist individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.).
• Adjudicate, authorize or reconsider claims.
• Explain benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) entitlements or requirements to the general public.
• Evaluate benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program operations to assess the integrity and quality.
• Interpret benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program requirements to formulate policies, procedures or guidelines.

Additional Information

• This position is located in the Southeastern Processing Center (SEPC) located at 1200 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd Birmingham, AL 35285.
• This is a career-ladder position offering the opportunity for annual promotion based on performance leading up to the GS-9 grade level.
• Normally candidates are hired at step one unless they have prior federal experience with no break in service.
• This is a bargaining unit position represented by the American Federation of Government Employees.
• Locality Pay: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Refer to Salaries & Wages for locality pay tables.
• Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • 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;
  • Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• For an overview of SSA Benefits, please visit the following YouTube link - https://youtu.be/uBNlGR3lutk

Application Process

Applications submitted will be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available. Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement. Applicants may not receive notifications of referral status until the full 6-month eligibility period has elapsed.

Equal Opportunity

SSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.