Benefit Authorizer (Central Processing) Direct Hire Authority

Summary Positions under this announcement are being filled using a Direct Hire Authority (DHA)(SSA-001), open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the DHA, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Three" do not apply. NOTE: Telework may be available in accordance with agency policy. This IS NOT a virtual position. Learn more about this agency Duties Once selected as a Benefit Authorizer in SSA, you will effectuate benefit entitlement decisions. This includes having direct telephone contact with the public to resolve issues or discrepancies and provide them with their rights under Social Security laws. You will be responsible for adjusting established benefits and effectuating payments and using computer technology to access and update information about claims. Benefit Authorizers (BAs) determine if applicants are eligible to receive or continue receiving benefits and/or payments for various Social Security programs. They answer questions from callers to Social Security's 800 number telephone network, resolve issues or discrepancies and explain Social Security program information to the public. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship required Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov) Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and 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 Must pass Competency Assessment Interview Process (CAIP) interview Selectees will be required to attend and successfully complete, formal technical training onsite at a designated SSA facility Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin Qualifications Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered, please visit the new resume guidance for more information. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. If you are using experience to qualify, you must have: GS-7: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level (or equivalent) that demonstrates the ability to (1) assist individuals in establishing their entitlement to receive benefits (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.); (2) adjudicate, authorize or reconsider claims; (3) explain benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) entitlements or requirements to the general public; (4) evaluate benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program operations to assess the integrity and quality; or (5) interpret benefit (e.g., retirement, disability, public aid, insurance, taxes, etc.) program requirements to formulate policies, procedures or guidelines. Note: Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period), you will be credited with 6 months of experience. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW PROCESS (CAIP) INTERVIEW - Applicants will be required to participate in a panel interview (after basic eligibility determination) to demonstrate an aptitude for meeting and dealing with the public. Applicants must pass this interview process in order to be found fully qualified for this position and receive further consideration for selection. This interview will cover typical situations, which might be encountered on the job, in person or over the telephone. Applicants must demonstrate qualities such as clarity of speech, ability to listen, ability to establish confidence and put others at ease and the ability to organize and express thoughts clearly. If you do not pass the CAIP interview, you will not qualify for the job. Panel interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Education SUBSTITUTING EDUCATION: If you are qualifying for this position based on completed education at an accredited U.S. college, university, or other educational institution, you must provide a copy of your transcripts or other proof of education prior to being appointed. NOTE: Education completed in a foreign institution must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs. It is the applicant's responsibility to acquire U.S. Certification and provide it at the time of application. For a list of Credential Evaluation Services, log on to: Credential Evaluation Services. GS-7: One full year of graduate level education in any field. One year of full-time graduate education is defined as 18 earned semester hours or 27 earned quarter hours. A combination of graduate level education and the specialized experience as described above OR a Bachelor's degree and superior academic achievement in any field can be applied as a substitution. Superior academic achievement is based on: Graduated in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR Graduated with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher out of 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR Graduated with a 3.5 GPA or higher based on the average of all the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society that meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies (except for freshman honor societies). COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Experience and education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements. GS-7: Experience and graduate level education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements. Experience and education will be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal to 100 percent when combined. For information on providing proof of education or substituting education for experience, visit General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov) Additional information This position is located in the following Central Processing Offices: Birmingham, AL Kansas City, MO This is a career-ladder position offering the opportunity for annual promotion based on performance leading up to the GS-9 grade level. Normally candidates are hired at step one unless they have prior federal experience with no break in service. This is a bargaining unit position represented by the American Federation of Government Employees. LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Refer to Salaries & Wages for locality pay tables 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:- your performance and conduct;- the needs and interests of the agency;- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. For an overview of SSA Benefits, please visit the following YouTube link - https://youtu.be/uBNlGR3lutk This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted will be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available. Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement. Applicants may not receive notifications of referral status until the full 6-month eligibility period has elapsed. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits 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. Review our 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.