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Special Master, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jul 14, 2022
Duties

The Special Master is responsible for directing the work of the organization that administers the VCF. The Special Master is charged with establishing a claim filing process and the procedures and policies applicable to the claim review process; making eligibility determinations on claims; calculating appropriate compensation on eligible claims; communicating individual claim determinations and policies and procedures consistent with the VCF's commitment to transparency; providing opportunities for appeal to claimants who believe that their determinations warrant a second look; meeting annual reporting requirements; supervising VCF staff in carrying out the administrative and operational functions necessary to receive, review, and issue decisions on claims; conducting outreach and liaising with affected communities and interested third parties; and, ultimately, ensuring that the VCF operates in a manner consistent with its guiding principles: fair to the claimants it serves, faithful to the statute that created it, and accountable to the U.S. taxpayer who provides its funding.

The Special Master serves as a resource to attorneys throughout the Division and the Department on compensation programs. Analyzes and reviews proposed and pending legislation that may affect the work of the VCF or compensation programs. Represents the VCF, the Civil Division, and Department of Justice, in inter- or intra-agency meetings, task forces, working groups, or committees dealing with issues in which the VCF has equities or expertise. Recommends and analyzes key VCF programmatic issues to the highest ranking officials of the Department and the Civil Division as well as to external groups, including Members of Congress, through training, presentations, and outreach activities.

The Special Master's duties include carrying out the following:
  • All actions necessary to establish and maintain a claim filing process and the procedures and policies applicable to the claim review process, including promulgating guidance relating to the factors to be considered by claim reviewers when making eligibility and compensation recommendations on both noneconomic loss and economic loss claims; publishing directions for claimants to follow when filing their claims and compiling, maintaining, and updating the necessary forms and instructions; developing, maintaining, and updating the VCF's regulations and published policies and procedures, consistent with the VCF's commitment to transparency; and ensuring that all VCF policies, procedures, and regulations are consistent with the law and are administratively sound, efficient, and economical in operation.
  • Determinations, subject to appeal, as to whether claimants are eligible for compensation, consistent with the laws and regulations governing the VCF and VCF policies.
  • Determinations, subject to appeal, as to the appropriate amount of compensation to be awarded eligible claimants, taking into account the individual circumstances of each claim, consistent with the laws and regulations governing the VCF and VCF policies, with values ranging from $10,000 to several million dollars, while ensuring that both the victims' and United States interests are protected.
  • All actions necessary to communicate individual claim determinations to claimants.
  • Establishment and oversight of the VCF's appeals and hearings process.
  • Supervision and oversight of the VCF staff in carrying out the legal, administrative, and operational functions necessary to receive, review, and issue decisions on claims.
  • Preparation of annual report to Congress as required by law, as well as periodic public reporting, and answers to requests for information and questions from Congress, media, 9/11 advocacy groups, attorneys, and claimants, in furtherance of the VCF's commitment to transparency.
  • Outreach and liaison with affected communities and interested third parties. Represents the VCF in discussions with claimants, claimants' counsel, and/or external stakeholders concerning the appropriate resolution of pending policy or procedural issues.
  • Establishing and maintaining information-exchange relationships with third-party partners to ensure that the VCF receives independent verification of the information that it needs in order to make reliable eligibility and compensation determinations.
  • Advice and consultation with staff on new program orientations or directives and ensure that adequate resources will be available for implementation within the VCF. Evaluates organizational structure and makes necessary changes based on new directions, trends, or claim volume.
  • Establishment of mechanisms appropriate to detect and deter fraud.
  • Consults with the Assistant Attorney General on significant matters concerning the VCF and compensation programs more generally. Participates in the formulation of and plan for implementation of new policies, legislation, or organizational changes having an impact on the VCF or the Civil Division.


Requirements

Conditions of Employment


  • You must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • Veterans' preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.
  • Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
  • You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check for the security level designated for this position.
  • You will be required to undergo a drug screening and obtain favorable results prior to being appointed.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a final Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in withdrawal of the job offer or removal.
  • You may be subject to a one-year probationary period effective from the date in which you are appointed.
  • This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) upon entry, and annually thereafter in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
  • You must meet all minimum qualifications to be deemed eligible. Only experience obtained by closing date of this announcement will be considered.
  • As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

    Note regarding COVID-19: To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

    Qualifications

    Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

    We recommend that your application emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the litigation programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and on the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Special Master, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

    YOU WILL BE EVALUATED ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQ): Your responses to the MTQs should be submitted in one document that includes separate narrative statements addressing each of the 2 Mandatory Technical Qualifications (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES PER MTQ, 4 PAGES TOTAL).

    MTQ 1. Demonstrated expertise in managing the operations of a national compensation or similar program, including experience relevant to developing and managing the processes used to adjudicate claims and overseeing the allocation of resources and the disbursement of funds to eligible claimants.

    MTQ 2. Demonstrated experience serving as a spokesperson for a public-facing legal program that attracts significant media, Congressional, and external stakeholder attention.

    IN ADDITION, YOU MUST CLEARLY DOCUMENT AND DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQ) EVIDENCE BY ADDRESSING EACH OF THE (5) ECQs IN A SEPARATE RESPONSE FOR EACH:

    ECQ1 - LEADING CHANGE. This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

    ECQ2 - LEADING PEOPLE. This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

    ECQ3 - RESULTS DRIVEN. This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

    ECQ4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

    ECQ5 - BUILDING COALITIONS. This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

    Fundamental Competencies: These competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Continual Learning, Written Communication, Integrity/Honesty, and Public Service Motivation. The Fundamental Competencies are crosscutting and should be addressed over the course of each ECQ narratives. It is not necessary for you to address the Fundamental Competencies directly as long as the narrative, in its totality, shows mastery of these competencies on the whole.

    Qualifications include both general management skills and characteristics that are applicable to all SES positions and technical or program responsibilities specific to this position. Applicants must have a substantive general experience that provides a good basic or general knowledge of the principles of organization, management, and administration; and substantive specialized (operating, administrative or managerial) experience in a type of work or a combination of functions directly related to this position.

    Applications without separate narrative statements will not be considered.

    Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position.

    Please refer to OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Service Qualifications for more detailed information. http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp .

    Copies of the Office of Personnel Management's "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications" may be obtained via the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf .

    Education

    All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.

    OR

    Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above 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 timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials.

    More information may be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

    All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

    Additional information

    DOJ offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits .

    EEO Policy Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. The complete DOJ EEO Statement/Policy is found at: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdf .

    Reasonable Accommodation
    Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    Legal and Regulatory Guidance
    • Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number may be requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.
    • Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
    • Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.
    • False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
    • 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.


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