Social Insurance Specialist (Claims Specialist) (ICTAP) (Temp)

Social Security Administration • Bellingham, WA

24d • Onsite

About The Position

This temporary, not-to-exceed-one-year position is located in the Bellingham, Washington Field Office. The appointment may be extended but will not become permanent, and multiple work schedules of up to 40 hours are available.

Claims Specialists interview members of the public to obtain, clarify, and verify information about initial and continuing eligibility for retirement, survivors, disability, and health insurance benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income, including State supplements. They resolve discrepancies, clarify issues, and make final decisions on initial and post-entitlement benefits and payments. They also adjudicate and authorize entitlement or disallowance actions of varying difficulty and complexity under programs administered by the Social Security Administration.

Applicants must be eligible under ICTAP and meet the stated specialized experience and time-in-grade requirements. Applicants must also pass a competency assessment interview demonstrating aptitude for meeting and dealing with the public. The position is GS-11 at the full performance level and is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees.

Requirements

• Must provide proof of ICTAP eligibility and meet the applicable ICTAP eligibility criteria.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
• Must undergo a background and/or security investigation; job offers are contingent on the results.
• Must meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-9 level or equivalent, in or related to the work of the position. Examples include developing, examining, investigating, or authorizing claims under SSA benefits, health insurance, pension plan, income maintenance, or related programs.
• Must meet the time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-9 or higher by the announcement closing date.
• Must pass the Competency Assessment Interview Process (CAIP) panel interview, demonstrating aptitude for meeting and dealing with the public, including clear speech, listening, establishing confidence, putting others at ease, and organizing and expressing thoughts clearly.
• ICTAP applicants must have held GS-11 or above, be in the commuting area of the listed duty location, and be well qualified. Under numeric rating procedures, qualified ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of 85 or higher to be eligible for selection.
• If qualifying based on education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit transcripts containing the specified identifying and academic information. Official college transcripts may be required before the effective date of appointment if selected.
• For GS-11 education qualification: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent, or an LL.M. Experience and graduate education beyond the second year may be combined as specified in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Interview the public to obtain, clarify, and verify information about initial and continuing eligibility for retirement, survivors, disability, and health insurance benefits, and Supplemental Security Income including State supplements.
• Resolve discrepancies and clarify issues related to benefits and payments.
• Make final decisions for initial and post-entitlement benefits and payments.
• Adjudicate and authorize entitlement or disallowance actions at varying levels of difficulty and complexity under SSA-administered programs.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree