As a Legal Administrative Specialist at the GS-0901-5/7, you will be part of Retirement Services Office of Personnel Management.
If selected, you will be a part of Retirement Services whose mission is to process and oversee the Federal civil service retirement systems and benefits administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Summary
As a Legal Administrative Specialist at the GS-0901-5/7, you will be part of Retirement Services Office of Personnel Management.
If selected, you will be a part of Retirement Services whose mission is to process and oversee the Federal civil service retirement systems and benefits administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Determining entitlement to and the amount of retirement and survivor annuities under Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS.).
Determining recalculated and adjusted benefits due survivors and retirees with qualified life events and statutorily required changes.
Responding to inquiries from internal and external customers in a timely manner, providing technically sound and accurate information.
Reviewing case file and automated system information to prepare accurate work assignments and respond to customers.
Determining if additional information is needed and researching guidance to communicate and execute actions.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. The union that represents employees in this position is the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2450.
Qualifications
To qualify for the grade GS-5, you must meet one of the following:
A. Have three years of general experience, at least one of which was equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-4 level in the Federal service. This experience may have been obtained in either the Federal or private sector. Experience is described as demonstrating the ability to plan and organize work; communicate effectively orally and in writing; analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; and demonstrating telephone, computer, mathematical and interpersonal skills. OR
B. Have completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, or have a bachelor's degree in any field. OR
C. Have a combination of post-high school education and general experience which when combined equals 100% of the requirements. To combine education and experience, first determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade GS-5; then determine the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the grade GS-5.
To qualify for the grade GS-7, you must meet one of the following:
A. Have completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree AND meet the Superior Academic Achievement criteria based on one of the following: (1) class standing (upper third standing in graduating class); (2) grade-point average (2.95 overall or over the last two years of bachelor's degree -or- 3.45 in your major field or over the last two years in your major); or (3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society and meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of a Legal Administrative Specialist. Note: Please submit copies of college transcripts and documentation of class rank or national scholastic honor society membership if qualifying on that basis. OR
B. Have one full year of graduate level study, or possess a master's or higher degree, e.g., LL.B, J.D. OR
C. Have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service. This experience may have been obtained in either the Federal or private sector. Experience is described as analyzing and evaluating information; planning, organizing and coordinating work; performing general business fiscal operations practices such as accounting, human resource services, payroll, and/or employee benefits programs. OR
D. Have an equivalent combination of the experience described in 'C' and the graduate-level education described in 'B'. To determine if you qualify under this combination, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required; then determine your education as a percentage of the graduate education required; and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: Please submit a copy of your graduate transcripts with your application.
Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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.
Additional information
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Current OPM employees may qualify as an exception.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
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.
Once the application process is complete, your resume will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
Decision Making
Flexibility
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Mathematical Reasoning
Oral Communication
Organizational Awareness
Reading Comprehension
Reasoning
Self-Management
Stress Tolerance
Teamwork
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
All qualified Non Competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility. For more information: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume showing applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Your most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action showing you are in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held.
Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
Other supporting documents:
Cover Letter, optional
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Most recent Performance Appraisal, optional.
CTAP Reduction-In-Force documentation, if applicable.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
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 read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/22/2023 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the "Submit Application" button prior to 11:59pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the "Additional Application Information" page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to "Update Application." This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an "Additional Application Information" page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Retirement Services
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
Once referred, you may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.
We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume showing applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
Your most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action showing you are in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held.
Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
Other supporting documents:
Cover Letter, optional
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Most recent Performance Appraisal, optional.
CTAP Reduction-In-Force documentation, if applicable.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
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 read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/22/2023 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the "Submit Application" button prior to 11:59pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the "Additional Application Information" page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to "Update Application." This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an "Additional Application Information" page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Retirement Services
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
Once referred, you may be asked to complete a structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.
We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
