Field Office - Claims Specialist

About the role

Positions under this announcement are being filled using a Direct Hire Authority (DHA), 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.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Agency's mission through direct and personal service to the public.
  • Speak with beneficiaries about their rights under the Social Security laws.
    • Gather facts and evidence to establish eligibility for benefits.
      • Makes critical decisions to determine the amount of benefits paid to individuals.
      • Use state-of-the-art computer technology to access and update information about claims.
    • 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.
    • 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.

Qualifications

• Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information.
  • 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:
  • Review problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
  • Plan and organize work.
  • 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:
  • 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.
• 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;
    • Evaluating benefit programs to assess the integrity and quality of operations.

Benefits

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

Pay

GS-5: Not specified.

• GS-7: Not specified.

• GS-9: Not specified.

Schedule

This position is located in the Decatur, IL Field Office at 606 W Pershing RD., DECATUR IL. This is a career-ladder position offering the opportunity for annual promotion based on performance leading up to the GS-11 grade level. This is a bargaining unit position represented by the American Federation of Government Employees.

Additional Information

• 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.
• Informational Note: Creating a my Social Security (mySSA) account is a convenient way to access your personal Social Security information online. While not required for this position or the application process, you may wish to learn more about the benefits of having a mySSA account by visiting www.ssa.gov/myaccount.