New job Social Insurance Specialist (Claims Specialist)(Recent Graduate) in Nebraska

Social Insurance Specialist (Claims Specialist)(Recent Graduate)

Company : US Social Security Administration
Salary : $35,265 - $56,790 a year
Location : Nebraska

Full Description

Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Grand Island, Nebraska Field Office at STE 1 115 N Webb Rd, Grand Island, NE 68803-4052.

Additional selections may be made within six months from the closing date of this announcement.

This is a career-ladder position leading to the GS-11 grade level.


Responsibilities

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.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

11

  • Job family (Series)

    0105 Social Insurance Administration

  • Requirements

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

    • U.S. Citizenship required.
    • Must have a qualifying degree or certificate at the time of appointment.
    • Security and/or background investigation required.
    • Job offers are contingent on background / security investigation results.
    • Selectees are required to serve a trial period.
    • Relocation expenses will not be paid.
    • Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
    • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
    • Must pass Competency Assessment Interview Process (CAIP) Interview

    Qualifications

    RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: To meet the Pathways Recent Graduates program requirements for this position, you must have graduated from a qualifying educational institution or program within two (2) years of the date you submit your application or will graduate no later than July 29th, 2021. Note: See required documents to ensure you provide the correct documentation.

    Preference-eligible veterans who, due to military service obligations, were precluded from applying to the Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period are entitled to a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may the eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date on which the preference eligible veteran completed the requirements of an academic course of study, when a qualifying degree or certificate was conferred.

    FOR RECENT GRADUATE ELIGIBILITY: The transcript(s) or official letter from the registrar's office MUST include either the date your degree or certificate was conferred OR the anticipated date the degree or certificate is scheduled to be conferred. Applications will not be considered without this documentation. NOTE: Copies of degrees, certificates, and diplomas are not considered acceptable documents to determine Recent Graduate Program eligibility.

    Proof of education must be submitted with your application package and received by the closing date of the announcement.
    Candidates must meet the basic qualification requirements for the position being filled, including any positive education requirements and/or selective placement factors.

    If you are using experience to qualify:

    You may qualify at the GS-5 grade level (starting salary $35,265) if you possess all of the following: Three years of general experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the federal service that demonstrates the ability to 1) analyze problems, identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; 2) plan and organize work; 3) communicate effectively orally and in writing; and 4) use online technology and automation tools. Examples of qualifying experience include analyzing, explaining, applying or interpreting laws, rules, regulation or policies.

    You may qualify at the GS-07 grade level (starting salary $43,683 if you possess ALL the following:: Fifty-two weeks of specialized experience at the GS-5 grade level or equivalent in the federal service 1) assisting individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits; 2) adjudicating, authorizing or reconsidering claims; 3) explaining benefit entitlements or requirements to the general public; 4) evaluating benefit program operations to assess the integrity and quality; or 5) interpreting benefit program requirements to formulate policies, procedures or guidelines.

    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.

    SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR

    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.

    NOTE: Previous Meet and Deal results are not valid for this vacancy announcement; you will be required to complete the CAIP assessment.

    Education

    SUBSTITUTING EDUCATION: If you are qualifying for this position based on completed education at an accredited U.S. college, university, or other educational institution, you must provide a copy of your transcripts or other proof of education prior to being appointed. NOTE: Education completed in a foreign institution must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs. It is the applicant's responsibility to acquire U.S. Certification and provide it at the time of application. For a list of Credential Evaluation Services, log on to: Credential Evaluation Services.

    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. One year of study is defined as 30 earned semester hours or 45 earned quarter hours.

    GS-7: One full year of graduate level education in any field. One year of full-time graduate education is defined as 18 earned semester hours or 27 earned quarter hours. A combination of graduate level education and the specialized experience as described above OR a Bachelor's degree and superior academic achievement in any field can be applied as a substitution.

    Superior academic achievement is based on:

    • Graduated in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR
    • Graduated with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher out of 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR
    • Graduated with a 3.5 GPA or higher based on the average of all the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR
    • Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society that meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies (except for freshman honor societies).
    COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Experience and education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

    GS-5: Experience and education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

    GS-7: Experience and graduate level education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

    Experience and education will be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal to 100 percent when combined.

    Additional information

    This is a career-ladder position offering the opportunity for annual promotion based on performance leading up to the GS-11 grade level. Normally candidates are hired at the step one unless they have prior federal experience with no break in service.

    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.

    The SSA Recent Graduates Program (Program) provides Recent Graduates with entry-level developmental experience and is designed to lead to a career in the Federal government. Program participant(s) are placed in excepted service appointments, not-to-exceed 2 years. Note: This position is being filled on a full-time basis. This is a 2-year developmental program. After successful completion of the program, you may be non-competitively converted to a term (not to exceed 1-4 years) or permanent appointment.

    Program participants serving on appointments for 1 year or less are generally ineligible for coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System and unable to participate in the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance program, and the Thrift Savings Program.

    Participants serving on appointments for more than 90 days may be eligible for coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.


    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire, which is designed to capture the desired competencies for this position.

    Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11135225

    For additional information see: What to include in your resume.

    Numerical scores will be assigned on a scale of 100. Each applicant who meets the qualification requirements for the position will be assigned a rating of 70 or more and will be eligible for appointment. Preference eligible veterans scoring 70 or more will receive additional points for veterans' preference.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance

    Not Required

    Drug test required

    No

    Position sensitivity and risk

    Moderate Risk (MR)

    Trust determination process

    Suitability/Fitness

  • Required Documents

    Required Documents

    You must submit all supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to qualify for the Recent Graduates Program and claim certain types of preference.

    RESUME: All applicants must submit a resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed.

    PROOF OF EDUCATION: If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.

    VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD 214 member 4 copy) or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty. To be acceptable, the document must show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, you must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Applicants claiming derived preference must submit the SF-15 and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF 15. Preference will be granted based on the documents received. For more information visit the Vet Guide.

    IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VETERANS: The Office of Personnel Management has published the end date for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as August 31, 2010. To receive veterans' preference for service during the Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom era, you must have served for more than 180 days between September 11, 2001 and August 31, 2010 OR be in receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal. The updated CFR language is available here. Other qualifying eligibility for preference (e.g., disability) remains unchanged.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • Benefits

    Benefits

    A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


Help

This job is open to

  • Recent graduates

    Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.


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