Current Federal employees serving under career or career-conditional competitive service appointments, former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, or persons eligible for non-competitive appointment under special appointment authorities. Veterans who are preference eligible or separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).
This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General.
The incumbent serves as a Program Support Specialist and is assigned to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of the Secretary, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), in the Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG), in the Exclusions Branch. Areas of responsibilities include supporting investigation and research of exclusion related materials, the entry and uploading of such materials into Exclusions Branch databases, and assisting in the preparation of exclusion related communications, legal correspondence and other administrative duties that require close association with and knowledge of the five Branches, as well as the Administrative Officer, Chief Counsel to the Inspector General and Assistant Inspector General for Legal Affairs.
Serves as a Program Support Specialist with responsibility for assisting with investigating and researching exclusion-related materials and drafting and sending exclusions-related communications while also providing staff services to management officials which result in effective planning, organizing, coordinating, and utilizing Branch operations. Plans and completes special projects.
Assists in managing the receipt, distribution, and resolution of incoming main public line phone calls, mail, sanctions or exclusion mailbox e-mails, and faxes from excluded entities or individuals as well as Federal, State, and local stakeholders. As requested, incumbent must assist the public, external stakeholders and others with information on exclusion and in response to Freedom of Information Act requests.
Sends Notices of Intent to Exclude, Notice of Exclusion, and other correspondence to the subject(s) and to State agencies and State licensing boards using the U.S. Postal Service or other approved notification methods. Scans exclusion case documentation and other materials into the case management systems such as IRIS, the LEIE, and others. Assists in researching and reconciling Notices of Intent to Exclude, Notice of Exclusion, and other correspondence that are returned as undeliverable and scan undeliverable notices into the relevant case management system. Assists the Supervisor, Reviewing Officials, and Branch Chief in carrying out day-to-day management functions and program assignments. Incumbent must assist with maintaining internal intranet site central repository of exclusion procedures and work templates.
Assists with the data entry, integrity, and accuracy of case management systems, such as IRIS, in the preparation and timely publication of the LEIE, and sharing of LEIE data in accordance with established Memoranda of Agreement and office procedures. This function includes cross checking Subject Final Notices and State Agency Notification with data within the IRIS system or similar case management system (Name, address, Social Security Number, National Provider Identification (NPI), Authority identifier), and reconciling data element errors with the Supervisor, Reviewing Officials, Branch Chief, and external entities.
Assists in evaluating and recommending administrative strategies or changes in internal operating procedures to incorporate new legislative requirements, changing organizational relationships within the OIG or with other groups outside the Agency. Performs work tasks using the internal and external database systems (e.g., Case Tracker, Pacer, and Lexis). Assists in preparing the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) required filing plan and assists staff in setting up their internal files. Updates the plan as required and assures that all correspondence is filed appropriately. Takes action to pack up and ship needed files for storage at the NARA and maintains cognizance of when files should be destroyed.
Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable).
Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
One-year probationary period may be required.
Time in grade must be met within 30 days of closing date of announcement.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Education used as part of an application package will only be considered if complete transcripts are submitted and must be from an accredited institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To see if your institution is accredited, please follow this link: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx
GS-7: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
Receiving and distributing incoming correspondence and drafting and sending official correspondence to various entities.
Assisting with data entry, integrity, and accuracy for various database systems.
Assisting with gathering, maintaining, and disseminating program related information to internal and external stakeholders.
OR
Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (SAA). in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this position. *To qualify based on SAA applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; have a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2years of the curriculum; or applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts to support your claim.
OR
Applicants must have at least 1 full year of graduate level education which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position. You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts to support your claim.
OR
Applicants must have a combination of graduate education and specialized experience described above. To combine education and experience, determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level. Then determine your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must submit your unofficial transcript to support your claim.
GS-9: In addition to meeting the requirements for the GS-7 grade level applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
Organizing and distributing incoming correspondence and preparing and sending official correspondence to various entities;
Managing data entry, ensuring integrity, and accuracy for various database systems; and
Researching and reviewing program related information to update databases, respond to requests, and disseminate to internal and external stakeholders.
OR
Applicants must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree and my education demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position. You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts to support your claim.
OR
Applicants must have a combination of graduate education and specialized experience described above. To combine education and experience, determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level. Then determine your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate level education in excess of the first year may be substituted for specialized experience. You must submit your unofficial transcript to support your claim.
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. Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.
Education
Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accrediting organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.
Additional information
Recruitment Incentives: Payment for relocation expenses is not authorized for this position. A recruitment bonus will not be offered. Repayment of student loans may be offered. Private sector work experience may be approved as credit for your Annual Leave accrual.
Security and Background Requirements: A background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.
Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
Career Transition Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Documentation: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for consideration under the CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility. Appropriate documentation such as a reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, an SF-50 reflecting your RIF separation, or a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function to another commuting area. You MUST also submit documentation to reflect your current (or last) performance rating of record along with your application package. Those eligible for consideration will need to be rated as well-qualified at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position in order to exercise selection priority. For more information about ICTAP, go to: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition.
EEO Statement: HHS is an equal opportunity employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, or other differences.
HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.
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.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions. Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate possession of any specialized experience and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement.
The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies (KSA's). You do not have to provide a narrative response to the KSA's.
Administration and Management
Manages and Organizes Information
Technology Application
Writing
Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions, or your score may be adjusted or lowered accordingly which may affect your overall final rating. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or for changing your scored responses to questions you've answered, which may affect your overall final score.
Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the "Required Documents" section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).
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.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
Resume
Documentation to support each eligibility claimed.
Current/Former Federal Employees - Most Recent SF-50 (indicating time in grade, highest grade and step attained)
Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, COULD AFFECT YOU RECEIVING CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s), which may not be required for all applicants:
College transcript (if qualifying all or in part based on your education
Veterans' Preference documentation - If you are a veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy - 4) and, if applicable, and Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces that supports your claim.
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 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 assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
A complete application package for this vacancy must be received on-line via the USA Staffing web site by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/07/2023 to receive consideration. Mailed/emailed applications will not be accepted.
Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application you may use the following link: https://applicationmanager.gov.
If you are unable to apply online and have the required information, please call 1-478-744-2360 to start your Alternate Application. You will connected with a member of our staff who will initiate the Alternate Application process. More information on the Alternate Application process can be viewed at the following link: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.
Questions regarding this vacancy or the application process should be directed to the agency contact below.
This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
OIG Office of Counsel to the Inspector General
330 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20201
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.
You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
Resume
Documentation to support each eligibility claimed.
Current/Former Federal Employees - Most Recent SF-50 (indicating time in grade, highest grade and step attained)
Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, COULD AFFECT YOU RECEIVING CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s), which may not be required for all applicants:
College transcript (if qualifying all or in part based on your education
Veterans' Preference documentation - If you are a veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy - 4) and, if applicable, and Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces that supports your claim.
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 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 assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
A complete application package for this vacancy must be received on-line via the USA Staffing web site by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/07/2023 to receive consideration. Mailed/emailed applications will not be accepted.
Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application you may use the following link: https://applicationmanager.gov.
If you are unable to apply online and have the required information, please call 1-478-744-2360 to start your Alternate Application. You will connected with a member of our staff who will initiate the Alternate Application process. More information on the Alternate Application process can be viewed at the following link: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.
Questions regarding this vacancy or the application process should be directed to the agency contact below.
This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
OIG Office of Counsel to the Inspector General
330 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20201
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.
You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
