AREA OF CONSIDERATION:Reduced to current permanent SSA employees in the Office of Central Operations, Wilkes-Barre Direct Operations Center, and employees filing under the SSA-4100 provision.
The SSA-4100 provision applies to employees whose permanent or temporary duty station is outside of the area of consideration listed above.
Employees who currently have an Availability for Assignment form (SSA-4100) on file will not be automatically considered for this position. Employees applying under the 4100 process must complete the electronic filing procedures listed in the How to Apply section.
Applications for noncompetitive consideration will be accepted from SSA employees in the area of consideration who are currently serving under the following types of appointments:
Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities;
Veterans Recruitment Appointments ; and
Employees serving under time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
Please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement if you are interested in noncompetitive consideration under the above appointments.
Applicants serving under these provisions do not need to submit copies of your disability or Veteran's documentation. However, you must submit a current SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired. Otherwise, you will not receive non-competitive consideration.
NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration.
LOCATION: This position is located in the Office of Central Operations (OCO), Office of Disability Operations (ODO), Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center (WBDOC), 1150 Mountain Dr., Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
TOUR OF DUTY: Full-time. Monday through Friday - 8 hours per day. Note:There will be a fixed shift while in classroom training, 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM. Flextime and alternate work schedules may be available after classroom training is completed.
TRAINING: Candidates selected for this position will be required to attend classroom training that lasts approximately 10 months. During training, employees will be required to work a fixed shift.
TYPE OF POSITION: This position is being filled on a permanent basis.
Summary
AREA OF CONSIDERATION:Reduced to current permanent SSA employees in the Office of Central Operations, Wilkes-Barre Direct Operations Center, and employees filing under the SSA-4100 provision.
The SSA-4100 provision applies to employees whose permanent or temporary duty station is outside of the area of consideration listed above.
Employees who currently have an Availability for Assignment form (SSA-4100) on file will not be automatically considered for this position. Employees applying under the 4100 process must complete the electronic filing procedures listed in the How to Apply section.
Applications for noncompetitive consideration will be accepted from SSA employees in the area of consideration who are currently serving under the following types of appointments:
Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities;
Veterans Recruitment Appointments ; and
Employees serving under time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
Please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement if you are interested in noncompetitive consideration under the above appointments.
Applicants serving under these provisions do not need to submit copies of your disability or Veteran's documentation. However, you must submit a current SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired. Otherwise, you will not receive non-competitive consideration.
NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration.
LOCATION: This position is located in the Office of Central Operations (OCO), Office of Disability Operations (ODO), Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center (WBDOC), 1150 Mountain Dr., Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
TOUR OF DUTY: Full-time. Monday through Friday - 8 hours per day. Note:There will be a fixed shift while in classroom training, 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM. Flextime and alternate work schedules may be available after classroom training is completed.
TRAINING: Candidates selected for this position will be required to attend classroom training that lasts approximately 10 months. During training, employees will be required to work a fixed shift.
TYPE OF POSITION: This position is being filled on a permanent basis.
The position description numbers for this position are 1E154Aand1E1540. A summary of the major duties are listed below. You may also view the full position description on the Agency intranet at the following link: PD Search
This is a developmental position leading to the full performance level of GS-9. Closer supervision and technical guidance and/or on-the-job training are provided. Duties are gradually broadened so the incumbent is eventually performing all of the duties of the full performance level, position description number 1E1540.
At the full performance level, the incumbent makes final determinations on the full range of post-adjudicative actions, entitlement and non-entitlement to benefits, continuing entitlement to benefits, and the payment amounts thereof. Adjusts established benefits and effectuates payments through the system or Single Payment System (SPS). Initiates and responds to written contacts and/or telephone contacts, to resolve issues or discrepancies and/or explain or obtain information pertaining to various aspects of the Titles II, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act.
All application materials must be received by the closing date.
Applicants must be in good standing.
Applicants must have a fully successful rating of record.
Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources.
Applicants will rated using a 100-point scale and evaluated according to the following criteria:
Experience Assessment: 50 points
Performance Appraisal: 35 points
Awards: 10 points
Career Achievements: 5 points
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are necessary to perform the duties of the position:
Ability to research and analyze data, draw conclusions and take appropriate action.
Ability to interpret and apply procedures.
Ability to organize and convey information in writing.
Ability to communicate orally and to obtain, provide and clarify information.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.Specialized experience is experience in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledges, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience are:
For the GS-7: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include assisting individuals in filing applications for financial assistance, unemployment, Veterans benefits, insurance benefits, health benefits and/or social service programs; developing, processing, or authorizing claims; explaining benefit related programs to the general public and providing information through the media; or evaluating benefit program policies, procedures and guidelines.
For the GS-9: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-7 level. Examples of specialized experience include assisting individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits; adjudicating or investigating claims; or evaluating benefit programs to assess the integrity and quality of operations.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
GS-7: Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-05. GS-9: Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-07.
Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
For GS-7: Successful completion of at least one academic year of graduate education in a field that is directly related to the position or superior academic achievement.
For GS-9: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or successful completion of at least two academic years of progressively higher graduate education in a field that is directly related to the position, or LL.B. or J.D. in a field that is directly related to the position.
Combining Education and Experience: Experience and 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. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-9 grade level.
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 cannot be obtained from your school, we will consider 18 semester/27 quarter hours to be equal to one year of full-time study. 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.
Additional information
Position to be filled under the provisions of the SSA/AFGE Merit Promotion Plan. Additional selections may be made within 3 months of the date of the initial selection.
LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay.
OTHER NOTES:
This position is a career ladder leading to GS-09.
TRAINING: Candidates selected for this position will be required to attend a training class.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The following section provides information on supporting documentation that must be submitted.
SSA-45
Your SSA-45 must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications determinations (e.g., all experience related to your qualifications for this position, full performance level of your current position, the dates at each grade level of your current or prior career-ladder position(s), etc.). These documents will be referred to the selecting official if you are eligible for the best qualified list. Employees' Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
Your SSA-45 must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, transcripts are required. Submit an electronic copy of your transcripts with title of course, number of credits, grade, and date of completion. All academic degrees and coursework must be from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department 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 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.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements
Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).
The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 12/18/2017. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.
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 Albert Williams at Albert.Williams@ssa.gov or (570) 830-3788.
Individuals with disabilities may call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
APPLYING FROM A PERSONAL COMPUTER OUTSIDE OF WORK
SSA employees may access Internal Vacancies On-Line (IVOL) postings and apply for vacancies from locations outside of SSA (e.g., from home, public computer, etc.). Please use the following link: http://ssai.usajobs.gov. Be sure to forward the link and other application materials (such as the SSA-45) to an email source accessible from outside of SSA (e.g. your personal computer, etc.).
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. 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.
Office of Disability Operations
1500 Woodlawn Drive
Baltimore, MD 21241
US
Next steps
After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following section provides information on supporting documentation that must be submitted.
SSA-45
Your SSA-45 must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications determinations (e.g., all experience related to your qualifications for this position, full performance level of your current position, the dates at each grade level of your current or prior career-ladder position(s), etc.). These documents will be referred to the selecting official if you are eligible for the best qualified list. Employees' Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
Your SSA-45 must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, transcripts are required. Submit an electronic copy of your transcripts with title of course, number of credits, grade, and date of completion. All academic degrees and coursework must be from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department 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 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.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements
Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).
The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 12/18/2017. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.
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 Albert Williams at Albert.Williams@ssa.gov or (570) 830-3788.
Individuals with disabilities may call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
APPLYING FROM A PERSONAL COMPUTER OUTSIDE OF WORK
SSA employees may access Internal Vacancies On-Line (IVOL) postings and apply for vacancies from locations outside of SSA (e.g., from home, public computer, etc.). Please use the following link: http://ssai.usajobs.gov. Be sure to forward the link and other application materials (such as the SSA-45) to an email source accessible from outside of SSA (e.g. your personal computer, etc.).
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. 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.
Office of Disability Operations
1500 Woodlawn Drive
Baltimore, MD 21241
US
Next steps
After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.