Duties

Summary

IMPORTANT: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL CLOSE AFTER RECEIPT OF 250 APPLICATIONS

The incumbent serves as a senior analyst/recognized program expert in the Office of Disability Programs (ODP).
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• As required by changing workloads or program priorities, plans, directs, conducts or participates in projects in one or more of the Offices in ODP, with continuing responsibility for major projects and broad studies pertaining to the development,
• evaluation, interpretation and maintenance of disability evaluation policy and procedures for administration at all Federal and State levels of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program
• and the Supplemental Security Income Program for the blind and disabled under title II and title XVI of the Social Security Act.
• Provides technical advice and other assistance to lower graded specialists in the development of policies and procedures, including major projects and studies;
• and gives technical orientation and training to new specialists and monitors and reviews their work.
• Analyzes legislative proposals for disability policy impact and furnishes advice on technical accuracy and operating feasibility. Develops and prepares recommendations for legislative proposals
• initiated within the Administration or pending in the Congress. Recommends items for inclusion in legislative proposals where operational needs or program issues are indicated.
• Develops guides, procedures, user specifications, training and other materials necessary for the implementation of executive decisions, new and revised program policy directives, and class-action lawsuits.
• Functions as Government Project Officer (GPO) or alternate GPO, or provides technical support and assistance to GPOs, as necessary.
• Oversees day to day contract operations to ensure that deadlines are being met and Agency support is provided as specified.
• Conducts any necessary acceptance testing and evaluates deliverables.
• Designs and conducts training for adjudicators at all levels of the disability program, i.e., in central office, regional offices and the States.
• Lead task forces, teams and work groups that include professionals for the analysis and development of complex policies and procedures.
• Leads or serves on task forces, teams and work groups that include other SSA components, other government agencies and/or outside organizations.
• Makes recommendations for acceptance or denial based on expert knowledge of the subject area(s) as well as feasibility, impact, and value in relation to SSA?s strategic goals and objectives.
• Responds orally and in writing to complex questions concerning the application and interpretation of national program policy, court cases, and related issues.
• Evaluates highly complex suggestions having the potential for major impact on existing policies, procedures, systems and guides for policy and process change.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• Background and/or security investigation required
• Job offers are contingent on background / security investigation results
• Selectees may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
• Relocation expenses will not be paid
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement

Qualifications

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience includes planning, analyzing, interpreting, and explaining policies and procedures related to Social insurance and income maintenance programs. In addition, applicants must have experience in public or private disability programs at an appeals or court level, including disability claims adjudication or argument.

In addition to the above qualifications, applicants must meet 2 out of 3 of the following experience indicators for the SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR : Knowledge of policy, procedures, or software requirements for the adjudication of disability claims in large-scale disability insurance or benefit programs.

• Experience leading efforts to acquire or exchange large volumes of automated medical evidence, or other documents, for the purpose of making disability or other health-related benefit determinations.
• Experience making decisions involving health information exchange concepts, capabilities, and regulatory requirements (including health information technology), and working knowledge of the industry marketplace in order to ensure effective use of technology in the administration of a disability or health insurance program.
• Experience defining business, software, or system specifications.

PLEASE NOTE: A writing exercise will be required as a part of the interview process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. See www.sss.gov .

Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire, which is designed to capture the desired competencies for this position. These competencies include:

• Ability to research and evaluate policy/procedures to make recommendations for improvement.
• Knowledge of policy, procedures, or software requirements for the adjudication of disability claims in large-scale disability insurance or benefit programs. (SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR)
• Ability to communicate complex issues orally and in writing.

PLEASE NOTE: A writing exercise will be required as a part of the interview process.

Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10913318

Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method, based on your responses to the Assessment Questions. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:

1 - Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements.
2 - Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
3 - Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements will automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process

Required Documents

You must submit supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.

INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category as described in the vacancy announcement. Candidates must also provide:

• proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
• proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.

For more information visit http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp .

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD 214 member 4 copy) or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty. To be acceptable, the document must show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, you must also submit the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) . Applicants claiming derived preference must submit the SF-15 and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF 15. Preference will be granted based on the documents received. For more information visit the Vet Guide .

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VETERANS : The Office of Personnel Management has published the end date for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as August 31, 2010. To receive veterans' preference for service during the Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom era, you must have served for more than 180 days between September 11, 2001 and August 31, 2010 OR be in receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal. The updated CFR language is available here . Other qualifying eligibility for preference (e.g., disability) remains unchanged.