Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

• 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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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/13001336

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

Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered per OPM's new resume guidance. To be considered, your resume must:

• Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position
• Include your contact information

• 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.

Next steps