Social Insurance Specialist (GS-13)

Summary

See QUALIFICATIONS for information about this position. Serves as a senior analyst/recognized program expert within the assigned specialty area. These areas include program integrity activities related to overpayments, waivers, non-collect determinations, court-ordered restitution, civil monetary penalties, improper payments reporting and the agency's strategy for reducing high-priority program improper payments. See DUTIES for responsibilities. See 9F1000 at SSA Position Description Search.

Duties

Performs duties associated with implementing the requirements of EO 13520 Reducing Improper Payments, provisions of the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 and the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 (IPERIA). Assesses the impact of improper payment reduction plans on SSA operations and systems and contributes to the development of an action plan to coordinate and monitor required actions. Identifies strategic program policy issues; drafts legislative, regulatory and policy proposals and position papers; and recommends alternative resolutions to issues identified. Plans, directs and conducts complex studies, multiphase projects, case analyses and continuing activities related to the formulation, development, maintenance, evaluation and interpretation of improper payments policies, procedures and instructions. Responds orally and in writing to complex questions concerning improper payments. Leads or participates in activities that cut across organizational lines that affect the agency’s mission or require attention of the Head. Gathers information, serves on interagency and or SSA-wide committees, task forces and workgroups.

Qualifications

To meet Minimum Qualifications for this GS-13 Social Insurance Specialist position you must demonstrate at least 52 weeks of Specialized Experience SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-12 OR (if your position is on another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level of responsibility and difficulty equivalent to GS-12 or above. Specialized experience is work that primarily involves analyzing and evaluating complex program integrity and improper payments issues. If you have this experience, your resume must describe, in your own words, the duties you perform that demonstrate it. Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you don't describe. Since Specialized Experience also has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks. Your experience should include: Interpreting and applying federal statutes, regulations and oversight guidance related to improper payments, debt management or program integrity; Developing or evaluating program policies, procedures or operational instructions, including drafting reports, position papers, analyses or implementation guidance; Leading or coordinating projects, studies or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders or components; Translating national-level policy requirements into actionable operational procedures, implementation strategies or program improvements and/or Collaborating with internal and external partners (e.g., oversight bodies, federal or state agencies, program components) to address improper payment challenges or advance program integrity initiatives. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (e.g., Specialized Experience) must be met by the closing date of this announcement. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants for promotion must have at least 52 weeks at GS-12 by the closing date of this announcement. A resume* (2-page maximum) is required for this vacancy. An SSA-45 is optional and can be used to provide additional details about your experience. Your resume (and SSA-45, if submitted) must clearly show the information required for HR to assess your ELIGIBILITY (current Chief Level assignment and geographic location, grade and full TO and FROM dates (month/day/year) for each position and QUALIFICATIONS for this position). Your resume and SSA-45 must not show conflicting information. *See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED for additional information.

Education

This position does not have an educational requirement. Education cannot be used in lieu of (or in combination with) Specialized Experience to meet Minimum Qualifications.

How you will be evaluated

Only applicants who demonstrate eligibility will be considered. (1) We will use your claim under the ELIGIBILITY SECTION at the beginning of the online questionnaire, your responses to Questions #3 (Appointment) and #4 (Appraisal) and the documents you submit to determine your eligibility. You will not receive further consideration if you -- don't choose an Eligibility at the beginning of the online questionnaire, -- choose an incorrect Eligibility at the beginning of the online questionnaire, -- provide a response that indicates you are not eligible, -- fail to provide documents to support your claim OR -- are otherwise found ineligible during this part of the review. (2) If rated 'eligible' you will receive a score based on your responses to the online experience questions. Preview questions here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13097958 It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume. (3) If you are among the highest-ranked applicants based on your score, your resume (and optional SSA-45, if submitted) will be reviewed by HR. Your resume (and optional SSA-45, if submitted) must clearly show the information required for HR to assess your ELIGIBILITY (i.e., grade and TO and FROM dates for each position held, current Chief Level assignment [both permanent and temporary] and geographic location) AND your QUALIFICATIONS (i.e., duties you perform that demonstrate the Specialized Experience) for this position. Your resume and SSA-45 must not show conflicting information. The grade-relevant duties you describe to demonstrate Specialized Experience should also demonstrate the following as they relate to the Specialized Experience. -- Knowledge of improper payment laws (possible 20 points) -- Ability to analyze improper payment issues (possible 20 points) -- Ability to interpret improper payment legislation (possible 20 points) -- Ability to communicate improper payment policy (possible 20 points) -- Ability to lead program integrity initiatives (possible 16 points) SEE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for more resume requirements. (4) The highest-ranked applicants who demonstrate the required Eligibility and Qualification requirements will be referred to the hiring manager and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. Your claimed knowledge, skills and abilities are subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed experience.

How to apply

(1) Click APPLY to create a USAJobs Account or log into your existing account. (2) Confirm that your USAJobs Biographic Information is correct. (3) Confirm that your application documents show all information required for this vacancy. (4) Follow prompts to complete the questionnaire and upload your application documents. (5) Click Submit My Answers at the end of the process. (6) "View/Print My Answers" to confirm you have answered every question as intended AND (7) print a copy of the announcement for your reference if you are called for an interview (optional) READ "NEXT STEPS" FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) November 4, 2026 and must include (1) responses to online questionnaire (2) uploaded resume that demonstrates (a) your eligibility and (b) your qualifications (3) uploaded eligibility documents, if applicable NOTE: Your SSA-45 is optional and must be uploaded under the Document Type "Other." If submitted, it must show all required information (see Required Documents) and must not conflict with other documents submitted. See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for eligibility and qualifications requirements that must be demonstrated. The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. Answer all questions and follow instructions. Your score will be based on your responses. Errors or omissions may affect your overall evaluation. It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your application documents. See QUALIFICATIONS, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS before you submit your application. We cannot accept documents submitted via email, fax, or standard mail, but you may email inquiries about the position or How to Apply PRIOR TO the closing of the announcement. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories SSA employees may access IVOL and apply for vacancies from outside of SSA via this link: http://ssai.usajobs.gov. If your application documents (i.e., resume, SSA-45, SF-50, etc) are not already uploaded to your USAJobs Account, be sure to forward them to an accessible source in order to submit an application from outside of SSA. Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statements -- Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or your resume/SSA-45 is subject to verification. By submitting your application, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action. If you experience difficulties while applying, use the links on the USAJobs website to seek help. If you're still unable to complete your application, submit a USAJobs Help Desk ticket to resolve the issue. You must also email KrysanniaGordon@ssa.gov with the SUBJECT LINE: "APPLICATION ISSUE 1309 7958" and provide details of the difficulties you're experiencing (with screenshots if applicable). This email must be received before the announcement closes. Technical difficulties reported after the announcement closes cannot be addressed.

Other information

The Area of Consideration (AOC) for this vacancy is SSA Competitive Service employees nationwide. Excepted Service employees in the AOC who are currently serving under (1) a Schedule A appointment for individuals with disabilities or (2) a time-limited appointment for 30% or more disabled veterans, who meet other eligibility and qualification requirements, may apply using current Excepted Service status in lieu of meeting the requirement for Competitive Service status. Applicants serving under these appointment types should not submit disability or veteran's documents but must submit SF-50s (see REQUIRED DOCUMENTS). Veterans Preference will not be considered under this vacancy announcement. NOTE: Employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorneys or other Excepted Service appointments (e.g., Pathways Programs such as Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates or Interns) are not eligible for consideration. See block 34 of your most recent SF-50 to confirm type of service. "1" means you should file as a competitive service employee, even if you are disabled and/or a veteran. "2" means you should refer to the SF-50 you received when you were hired to see if your appointment-type matches one of those listed above. If so, you should file as an eligible excepted service employee; if not, you are not eligible to apply for this position. See QUALIFICATIONS for information on qualifying for this position. See HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for information on applying for this position. This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in a component(s) under the same organization. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued. This position is on a full-time, flex-time schedule. Employees currently assigned to other geographic locations may be approved to remain in their current official duty station. Telework may be approved after all conditions for telework have been met. Relocation expenses will not be paid; salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. This is a moderate risk public trust position. You may be required to complete Standard Form 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, to have the appropriate investigation conducted. Position is assigned to: Risk and Quality (RQ) Governance and Performance