This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Office. The PSOB Office is responsible for implementing the PSOB Program.
Summary
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Office. The PSOB Office is responsible for implementing the PSOB Program.
This is NOT a remote position. The duty station is Washington, DC. The selectee will be required to report to the duty station at least 4 days per bi-weekly pay period.
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
Applicants will be considered under Delegated Examining and/or Merit Promotion procedures based upon eligibility.
(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)
As a Program Specialist in the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Public Safety Officers' Benefits Office (PSOB), you will serve as a Benefits Specialist with primary responsibility for the outreach, follow up and administration of PSOB death, disability and education claims. Reviews and processes cases and works with national law enforcement and first responder groups, educating public safety agencies regarding the initiative and offering support to families and colleagues of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders. Serves as a Benefits Specialist and has primary responsibility for the outreach, follow up, and administration of PSOB death, disability, and education claims.
Provides advice and guidance regarding benefits programs. Consultations involve assessment of benefits programs or policy conditions, phenomena, or anomalies. Analyzes all submitted claim documentation in conjunction with PSOB Act and regulations regarding status of officer, manner of death, appropriate beneficiaries, etc.
Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
Submit all required documents and Online Assessment Questionnaire.
Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
Pre-employment drug testing required.
1-year probationary period may be required.
See Other Information for further requirements.
Qualifications
MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Qualifying experience for the GS-13 level includes one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples are: reviewing prior death, disability or education benefit claims to gather information and reconcile conflicting data; devising new or modified methods of analyzing findings in death, disability, or education benefits reviews; or developing new initiatives in the area of death, disability or education benefits management.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop solutions. Ability to plan and execute work. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Ability to provide advice and guidance on death, disability or education benefits or claim program issues. Knowledge of death, disability or education benefits program management principles, concepts, and methods.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com. Click here to see the full Qualifications Statement.
Education
See Other Information.
Additional information
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Status applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade by the closing date.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.
OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
This position has a duty station of Washington, D.C. The selectee will be required to physically report to the OJP office building at least four (4) days per bi-weekly pay period and may incorporate leave and official travel plans into this reporting requirement. The office director or supervisor may request the selectee's presence in the office more frequently, as determined by the needs of the office. The selectee will be responsible for covering all commuting-related travel expenses. OJP employees are eligible for one transportation benefit - parking or the Department of Justice (DOJ) transit subsidy.
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.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.
Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures.
OJP also offers credit union services, a health unit, and on-site nurse for your usage.
Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program.
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 considered under all categories for which you are eligible.
For All U.S. Citizens: Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment 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 application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
For Status/Merit Promotion/VEOA candidates: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicants: The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice 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, or if your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. Under merit promotion procedures, to be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. Under category rating procedures, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria.
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.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.
Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures.
OJP also offers credit union services, a health unit, and on-site nurse for your usage.
Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program.
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.
4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and
5. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference
In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days after the certification is submitted; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act
To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment
Non-competitive Eligibility You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees If you are a current or former Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit documents to confirm your status or reinstatement eligibility. - Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2". - Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a separate statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
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.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com
Office of Justice Programs
810 7th Street NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20531
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and
5. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference
In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days after the certification is submitted; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act
To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment
Non-competitive Eligibility You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees If you are a current or former Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit documents to confirm your status or reinstatement eligibility. - Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2". - Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a separate statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
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.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com
Office of Justice Programs
810 7th Street NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20531
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
