Social Insurance Specialist (Claims Specialist) (Spanish)

Duties

The position description number for this position is 5E238B and 5E238C. A summary of the major duties are listed below. You may also view the full position description on the Agency intranet.

This is a developmental position leading to the full performance level of GS-11. Closer supervision and technical guidance and/or on-the-job training are provided. Duties are gradually broadened so the incumbent is eventually performing all of the duties of the full performance level, position description number 5E2380.

At the full performance level, the incumbent will conduct interviews with the public to obtain, clarify and verify information about initial and continuing eligibility for retirement, survivors, disability health insurance benefits and eligibility for supplemental security income including State supplements; resolve discrepancies, clarify issues and make final decisions for initial and post-entitlement for benefits and payments; adjudicate and authorize entitlement or disallowance actions at all levels of difficulty and complexity under programs administered by SSA; and use state of-the-art technology to access and update claims information.

Qualifications

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the next lower grade 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.

GS-5: Three years of general experience, one year which was equivalent to the GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to 1) analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; 2) plan and organize work; and 3) communicate effectively orally and in writing. Examples of general experience include providing information and assistance to the general public, analyzing, explaining, applying or interpreting laws, rules, regulation or policies.

GS-7: Fifty-two weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include assisting individuals in filing applications for financial assistance, unemployment, Veterans benefits, insurance benefits, health benefits and/or social service programs; developing, processing, or authorizing claims; explaining benefit related programs to the general public and providing information through the media; or evaluating benefit program policies, procedures and guidelines.

Applicants must also meet the following Selective Placement Factor(s) to qualify for this position:

Meet and deal ability is required.

• Candidates who are in/have held positions requiring meet-and-deal certification do NOT have to submit documentation when applying for this position.
• By the closing date of the announcement, candidates who have not occupied SSA positions for which meet-and-deal ability is required as a selective placement factor MUST upload a completed Certification of Meet and Deal Ability form. If you do not submit the form by the closing date of the announcement, you will be disqualified for the position. If you do not already have this documentation, contact your supervisor or manager.

Bilingual Ability in Spanish and English is required.

• By the closing date of the announcement, you must submit the HRC-53, Bilingual Certification Form for the language being announced electronically, along with your application, certifying that you have passed this selective placement factor. If you do not submit the form by the closing date of the announcement, you will be disqualified for this position. If you do not have a completed Bilingual Certification Form, contact your supervisor or manager.
• If you are currently in, or have previously held a bilingual position for the language being announced, you do not have to be recertified, and you are not required to resubmit the certification form. However, you must include a statement on your SSA-45 that identifies the position as bilingual.
• If selected, candidates will be required to sign a Bilingual Appointment Agreement Form.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-5: Applicants for promotion must not have held a position lower than GS-3 within the preceding 52 weeks. GS-7: Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at the GS-5 or higher.

Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree. One year of study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. GS-7: One full year of graduate level education in any field. One year of full-time graduate study is defined as 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours OR a combination of graduate level education and the specialized experience as described below OR a Bachelor's degree and superior academic achievement.

Combining Education and Experience: GS-5: 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.

Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school you attended has determined to represent one year of study. If this information is not provided, we will consider 18 semester/27 quarter hours to be equal to one year of full-time graduate study.

If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position. Experience and education will be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal to 100 percent when combined.