The FRTIB is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Participant Correspondence Specialist.
This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Participant Correspondence Specialist, GS-0301-13 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Summary
The FRTIB is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Participant Correspondence Specialist.
This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Participant Correspondence Specialist, GS-0301-13 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
All qualification requirements must be met by 07/22/2019. Your application package will not be considered if it is missing any of the required documents listed under the "Required Documents" tab.
Probationary Period. One-year probationary period may be required.
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.
Background Suitability Investigation. Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a federal suitability or security clearance. If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.
Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the Time-in-Grade Requirement, which is 52 weeks of federal service at the next lower grade, GS-12.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the Specialized Experience as described below.
Specialized Experience:
Applicants must have at least one year of full-time specialized work experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level (equivalent to the GS-12) in the Federal government. Specialized experience is defined as: : Experience with a defined contribution retirement plan or related service provider preparing and coordinating written responses to inquiries and correspondence from retirement plan participants, the general public, other Federal agencies, and Congressional offices; obtaining and compiling information on routine and complex matters from various sources; assessing and reporting on trends and systemic problems; developing proposals and recommendations to modify policies, procedures, and operations; and developing customized response language for precedent-setting or unusual inquiries..
*Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Specialized experience must meet 52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade level. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Correspondence Management: Comprehensive knowledge of correspondence and case management programs and supporting applications (e.g., knowledge databases, case management systems). Ability to development, implement, and maintain projects which support these activities, including the design and management of language/response libraries or compendiums of resource information.
Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products the work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to makerecommendations.
Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
Education
Education may not be substituted for experience for this series and grade combination.
Additional information
The FRTIB offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off*, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the 3-tier federal retirement system. The FRTIB also has wonderful benefits and work/life-balance flexibilities that may be right for you. We offer, if applicable:
-Flexible work schedule options. The FRTIB offers two flexible work schedules, the Gliding Schedule and the Flexible 5-4/9 Schedule. Employees on the Gliding Schedule must arrive between 7 am and 9:30 am and work 8 hours plus a 30-minute unpaid lunch period. Employees on the Flexible 5-4/9 Schedule work eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day (plus the 30-minute unpaid lunch period) in each biweekly pay period and receive one scheduled day off; and must arrive between 6:30 am and 9:30 am on 9-hour days; or 7 am and 9:30 am on the 8-hour day.
-Limited telework opportunities.
-Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides employees with free confidential assistance for help with personal issues that may be affecting work life. The program also provides consultation to supervisors who are trying to best help an employee with performance and/or attendance problems.
-Work Life 4 You. The FRTIB provides all employees and their family members with access to the Federal Occupational Health managed referral and information service to assist in dealing with life, family, health, education, work, and finance. This service is provided at no cost to the employee.
-*Annual and sick leave (paid time off). Employees of the FRTIB accrue both annual and sick leave depending on years of service with the federal government. Annual leave may be used for vacation or other personal reasons. Sick leave may be used when you are ill, when you have a doctor, dental, or optical appointment, or when you need to provide care to an ill family member.
-Fitness center. The FRTIB employees, at no cost, have access to the fitness center conveniently located on the main level of the building featuring state of the art weight training and cardiovascular equipment.
-Extensive training programs and tools supportive of enhancing organization effectiveness and employee development.
-A monthly transit subsidy for a portion of your commuting costs to help defray the commuting costs of employees who use mass transportation, including commuter bus, Metrorail or Metrobus, or commuter rail systems.
-Child care program. The FRTIB's childcare subsidy program offers up to $600 in monthly subsidy paid to qualified child care providers of employees meeting the eligibility requirements.
-Student loan repayment or recruitment bonus, when applicable.
The FRTIB offices are conveniently located within a few blocks of the Union Station metro station. In addition, private parking is available in the building at the posted daily and monthly rates.
Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position; however, other recruitment incentives may be authorized.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the above qualifications.
Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Veterans' Preference. If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit supporting documentation as described in the "Required Documents" section. Visit the Feds Hire Vets website for more information regarding veterans' preference.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and you are found Well Qualified for this vacancy. Well Qualified means you must meet all the minimum qualification standards listed above and be assessed and assigned the rating of at least Well Qualified to receive special selection priority. Well Qualified is further defined as possessing the Basic Qualifications and meeting the specialized experience noted above.
You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition website.
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.
Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB:
1. Resume (please include on your resume the experience you wish to be considered for the review of your qualifications, the dates of employment with month and year, and hours worked per week). Resumes that do not contain all of the necessary information to determine qualifications may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. Your latest resume submission is the one that will be used to determine your qualifications.
2. Responses to the occupational questionnaire.
3. You must submit supporting documents verifying your eligibility to apply to this vacancy, selection priority eligibility, or any preference eligibility along with your application package. Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you. These documents may include, but are not limited to:
-SF-50 documenting current or previous employment in the federal service; the date on your SF-50 must clearly show you meet the time-in-grade requirements to be eligible to apply for this job opportunity.
-Veteran's documentation. All veterans must submit a DD-214, Member Copy 4. If you are currently on active duty you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
-Preference eligible documentation. If claiming 10-point preference you must submit the final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information), as well as the DD-214 Member Copy 4. The SF-15 will be requested if selected.
-ICTAP documentation. RIF separation notice along with your last performance rating or appraisal.
-Schedule A documentation. A qualifying letter from a doctor's or vocational rehabilitation office indicating you are eligible for hire under the Schedule A hiring authority.
4. Please submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal / evaluation and a copy of your SF-50 for any incentive awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you have received in the last 3 years. You must submit performance appraisal / evaluation and incentive award documentation which will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official may use this documentation to assign a due weight point value to be considered during the overall selection process. If you do not have a current performance appraisal you must submit a statement as to why it is not available, and if your performance was at an acceptable level. Applicants that do not have an appraisal must submit a statement saying they do not have an appraisal. If you fail to submit this documentation your application may be marked as insufficient and may not receive consideration for this position.
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.
You must apply through the USAJOBS online job application system. Complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section, below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/22/2019 to receive consideration.
*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to 07/22/2019.
*To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
*To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Note to applicants: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit additional documentation from what is being requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your application:
-Diplomas of any type (when education documents are required, you must submit unofficial transcripts, not diplomas)
-Letters of recommendation, reference, or congratulations, etc.
-Any documents with a picture of the applicant
This and other positions announced by the FRTIB may be filled under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority used to appoint persons with severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disabilities. Such individuals may qualify for conversion to permanent status after two years of satisfactory service. Documentation of disability is required, e.g., Schedule A letter. Such documentation is used to verify the individual being hired is indeed a person with a severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disability. This documentation must be provided to the hiring agency at the time of application, before an individual can be hired. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (e.g., state or private); or any federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Submission of a VA letter does not automatically qualify as a Schedule A letter. Since the vacancy announcement you are viewing is a competitive announcement, if you wish to be considered under the Schedule A authority you must email your supporting documentation and resume to Lei Kreft at HROperations@tsp.gov for consideration.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding submission of an alternate application.
Office of Participant Services
77 K Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review. If your name is referred to the selecting official, you may be contacted directly by the office for a possible interview. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJOBS profile.
When the entire vacancy announcement process has been completed you will receive notice via email (or by mail if no email address was provided during the application process). Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after the vacancy has closed to inquire about the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB:
1. Resume (please include on your resume the experience you wish to be considered for the review of your qualifications, the dates of employment with month and year, and hours worked per week). Resumes that do not contain all of the necessary information to determine qualifications may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. Your latest resume submission is the one that will be used to determine your qualifications.
2. Responses to the occupational questionnaire.
3. You must submit supporting documents verifying your eligibility to apply to this vacancy, selection priority eligibility, or any preference eligibility along with your application package. Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you. These documents may include, but are not limited to:
-SF-50 documenting current or previous employment in the federal service; the date on your SF-50 must clearly show you meet the time-in-grade requirements to be eligible to apply for this job opportunity.
-Veteran's documentation. All veterans must submit a DD-214, Member Copy 4. If you are currently on active duty you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
-Preference eligible documentation. If claiming 10-point preference you must submit the final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information), as well as the DD-214 Member Copy 4. The SF-15 will be requested if selected.
-ICTAP documentation. RIF separation notice along with your last performance rating or appraisal.
-Schedule A documentation. A qualifying letter from a doctor's or vocational rehabilitation office indicating you are eligible for hire under the Schedule A hiring authority.
4. Please submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal / evaluation and a copy of your SF-50 for any incentive awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you have received in the last 3 years. You must submit performance appraisal / evaluation and incentive award documentation which will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official may use this documentation to assign a due weight point value to be considered during the overall selection process. If you do not have a current performance appraisal you must submit a statement as to why it is not available, and if your performance was at an acceptable level. Applicants that do not have an appraisal must submit a statement saying they do not have an appraisal. If you fail to submit this documentation your application may be marked as insufficient and may not receive consideration for this position.
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.
You must apply through the USAJOBS online job application system. Complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section, below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/22/2019 to receive consideration.
*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to 07/22/2019.
*To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
*To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Note to applicants: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit additional documentation from what is being requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your application:
-Diplomas of any type (when education documents are required, you must submit unofficial transcripts, not diplomas)
-Letters of recommendation, reference, or congratulations, etc.
-Any documents with a picture of the applicant
This and other positions announced by the FRTIB may be filled under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority used to appoint persons with severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disabilities. Such individuals may qualify for conversion to permanent status after two years of satisfactory service. Documentation of disability is required, e.g., Schedule A letter. Such documentation is used to verify the individual being hired is indeed a person with a severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disability. This documentation must be provided to the hiring agency at the time of application, before an individual can be hired. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (e.g., state or private); or any federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Submission of a VA letter does not automatically qualify as a Schedule A letter. Since the vacancy announcement you are viewing is a competitive announcement, if you wish to be considered under the Schedule A authority you must email your supporting documentation and resume to Lei Kreft at HROperations@tsp.gov for consideration.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding submission of an alternate application.
Office of Participant Services
77 K Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review. If your name is referred to the selecting official, you may be contacted directly by the office for a possible interview. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJOBS profile.
When the entire vacancy announcement process has been completed you will receive notice via email (or by mail if no email address was provided during the application process). Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after the vacancy has closed to inquire about the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
