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.
Desired skills: written and oral communication, interpersonal, analytical, problem solving, decisiveness and automation.
This position is located in the Watsonville District Office at 180 Westgate Dr., Watsonville, CA. NOTE: This position is being filled on a full-time, permanent basis. 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.
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.
Desired skills: written and oral communication, interpersonal, analytical, problem solving, decisiveness and automation.
This position is located in the Watsonville District Office at 180 Westgate Dr., Watsonville, CA. NOTE: This position is being filled on a full-time, permanent basis. 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.
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; and use state of-the-art technology to access and update claims information.
Selective Service Registration. See Other Information tab.
Security and/or Background Investigation Required
Selectees are required to serve a one year probationary period.
Must pass Meet-and-Deal panel interview.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR
Meet and Deal Panel 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. Candidates 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 Meet and Deal panel interview, you will not qualify for the job.
Bilingual Certification Interview: Applicants must have the ability to fluently speak English and Spanish. Applicants will be required to pass an interview designed to assess possession of this ability.
Qualifications
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 that demonstrates the ability to 1) analyze problems, identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; 2) plan and organize work; and 3) communicate effectively orally and in writing; and using online technology and automation tools. Examples of qualifying experience include analyzing, explaining, applying or interpreting laws, rules, regulation or policies.
For GS-7: Fifty-two weeks of specialized experience in 1) assisting individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits; 2) adjudicating, authorizing or reconsidering claims; 3) representing benefit programs before the general public; 4)evaluating benefit program operations to assess the integrity and quality; or 5) interpreting program requirements and formulating policies, procedures and 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).
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. 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.
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. Experience and education will be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal to 100 percent when combined.
Education
GS-5:
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field
leading to a bachelor's degree. One year of study is defined as 30 semester
hours or 45 quarter hours. GS-7: One full year of graduate level education in any field. One year
of full-time graduate study is defined as 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours
OR a combination of graduate level education and the specialized experience as
described below OR a Bachelor's degree and superior academic achievement. 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).
Note: One year of full-time graduate
education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school you
attended has determined to represent one year of study. If this information is
not provided, we will consider 18 semester/27 quarter hours to be equal to one
year of full-time graduate study.
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.
Additional information
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
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.
Social Security offers a comprehensive benefits program that you can customize for your individual medical and financial needs. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help you balance life with Social Security to life outside of work. Please visit our Careers website for additional information.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method, based on your responses to the occupational questions in this document, which is designed to capture the desired competencies for this position. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:
1) Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements.
2) Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
3) Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
The Category Rating Method does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the minimum qualification Requirements will automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category.
We recommend you use USA Jobs resume builder for submitting a resume to ensure you include dates of employment for each job listed (month/year) as well as average number of hours (e.g., 40 hours, 20 hours) worked per week. Note: You can copy and paste your existing resume into resume builder.
Note: Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. To preview the questions, click the following link: View Assessment Questions
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.
Social Security offers a comprehensive benefits program that you can customize for your individual medical and financial needs. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help you balance life with Social Security to life outside of work. Please visit our Careers website for additional information.
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.
You must submit
supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to
claim certain types of preference or qualify on the basis of education.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP):
ICTAP
provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with
selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection
priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category
as described in the vacancy announcement and must also provide:
Proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include: A copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); AND
Proof of your most recent
performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or
equivalent.
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 the required
documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15, Application
for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (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.
PROOF OF EDUCATION: If you are qualifying on the basis
of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your
transcripts with the course title, number of credits, grade, and date of
completion. To qualify, the degree must be from an accredited college or
university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed
in a foreign institution must be certified as equivalent to coursework
completed at a U.S. college or university. Certification of equivalency must be
submitted at the time of application. For a list of Credential Evaluation
Services, log on to: Credential
Evaluation Services.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
To apply for this position, you must
provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume
2. The Occupational Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents, if applicable (see Required Documents
section)
The complete Application Package must be submitted before midnight Eastern Time on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.
To
begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or
log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the
occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button
at the end of the process.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing
some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance
with the application process, please contact Joycelyn Ip at (510)970-2844.
Individuals with disabilities may also call
us via Federal
Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any
applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed
only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete
application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
SSA San Francisco
1221 Nevin Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: (1) Receipt of application; (2) Qualifications status and whether your application has been Referred/Not Referred to the selecting official; and (3) Selection status for the position.
If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you notifications regarding the status of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must submit
supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to
claim certain types of preference or qualify on the basis of education.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP):
ICTAP
provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with
selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection
priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category
as described in the vacancy announcement and must also provide:
Proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include: A copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); AND
Proof of your most recent
performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or
equivalent.
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 the required
documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15, Application
for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (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.
PROOF OF EDUCATION: If you are qualifying on the basis
of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your
transcripts with the course title, number of credits, grade, and date of
completion. To qualify, the degree must be from an accredited college or
university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed
in a foreign institution must be certified as equivalent to coursework
completed at a U.S. college or university. Certification of equivalency must be
submitted at the time of application. For a list of Credential Evaluation
Services, log on to: Credential
Evaluation Services.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
To apply for this position, you must
provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume
2. The Occupational Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents, if applicable (see Required Documents
section)
The complete Application Package must be submitted before midnight Eastern Time on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.
To
begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or
log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the
occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button
at the end of the process.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing
some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance
with the application process, please contact Joycelyn Ip at (510)970-2844.
Individuals with disabilities may also call
us via Federal
Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any
applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed
only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete
application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
SSA San Francisco
1221 Nevin Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: (1) Receipt of application; (2) Qualifications status and whether your application has been Referred/Not Referred to the selecting official; and (3) Selection status for the position.
If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you notifications regarding the status of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
