Summary

LOCATION: This position is located in the St. Louis Office of Hearings Operations at 1222 Spruce St., Room 6.1016, St. Louis, MO 63103.

TOUR OF DUTY: Flextime; Full-time

Type of Position: This position is being filled on a permanent basis.

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Restricted to current permanent SSA employees currently serving under an excepted service appointment in the Office of Hearings Operations within the Kansas City region.

Duties

The position description number for this position is 672600. A summary of the major duties are listed below. You may also view the full position description on the Agency intranet at the following link: PD Search

Serves as a Senior Legal Adviser to Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), the Hearing Office Chief Administrative Law Judge (HOCALJ), the Hearing Office Director (HOD) and the Processing Group Supervisors in a Social Security Administration (SSA) Hearing office (HO). Renders professional legal advice and assistance to the ALJs in prehearing development and preparation of cases for hearing, posthearing development and other posthearing actions. Analyzes, researches and develops cases, formulates comprehensive decisions in the most legally complex cases and, otherwise, acts on requests for hearings held under Titles II, XI, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended. Legal issues related to the cases assigned pertain to the interpretation and research of the highly complex provisions of Titles II, XI, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended; implementing regulations; related Federal and State laws; the Administrative Procedures Act and precedent Social Security Rulings, court decisions, etc. Participates fully and assists the ALJ in the formulation of the case decision.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• All application materials must be received by the closing date.
• Applicants must be in good standing.
• Applicants must have a fully successful rating of record.
• Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
• Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
• All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources.
• You must indicate on the SSA45 if you are in/or have held a temp promotion/detail.

Qualifications

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 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. Examples of specialized experience include analyzing, interpreting and developing (pre-hearing and post-hearing) cases under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended; reviewing case law, legal opinions, rulings, and other sources of a legal nature with respect to the interpretation and application of the Social Security Act, as amended, the Administrative Procedure Act, State and foreign law, and other relevant statutes and regulations; performing legal research and analysis to identify and evaluate critical case factors to formulate legally defensible decisions, drafting decisions for sensitive and or legally complex cases involving policy issues and questions regarding court opinions and or rulings; and presenting findings, conclusions and recommendations in written analysis and through oral briefing to various contacts.

Applicants must also meet the following to qualify for this position:

• Proof of current, active 2024 membership in the Bar of a State, Territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia is required. This documentation MUST be uploaded/included in your application package by the closing date of the announcement.

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

Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-12.

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

Education

Substitution of education for experience is not applicable at this grade level.

Additional information

NONCOMPETITIVE CONSIDERATION

Applications for noncompetitive consideration will be accepted from SSA employees in the area of consideration who are currently serving under the following types of appointments: Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities and time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Applicants serving under these provisions do not need to submit copies of your disability or Veteran's documentation. However, you must submit a current SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired. Otherwise, you will not receive non-competitive consideration.

NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration. Employees currently serving under a competitive service appointment are not eligible to apply.

Position to be filled under the provisions of the SSA/NTEU National Agreement. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued.

LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay.

OTHER NOTES:

This is a bargaining unit position, represented by NTEU.

This is not a career ladder position; GS-13 is the full performance level.

This position is eligible for telework.

This is a (5/5c) moderate risk public trust position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 85p, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.

• 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants will be rated based on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of SSA/OHO legal programs and policies.
• Ability to research, analyze, interpret and apply rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of case law, legal opinions, rulings.
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Ability to communicate in writing.

Applicants will be assessed using the rating criteria listed in the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12397366

• 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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  The following section provides information on supporting documentation that must be submitted.
  
  SSA-45 (All Applicants)
  
  Applicants for Noncompetitive Consideration only - SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired (See "Application Requirements - Additional Information" section regarding Noncompetitive Consideration).
  
  Your SSA-45 must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications determinations (e.g., all experience related to your qualifications for this position, full performance level of your current position, the dates at each grade level of your current or prior career-ladder position(s), etc.). These documents will be referred to the selecting official if you are eligible for the best qualified list. Employees' Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
  
  Your SSA-45 must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.
  
  PROOF OF CURRENT, ACTIVE BAR MEMBERSHIP
  
  Your proof of current, active membership in the Bar of a State, Territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia MUST show current status as ACTIVE as well as the current date of the active membership (e.g., 2024 or 2023-2024). If providing a copy from the state bar website and the current date of active membership is not present, the copy MUST include the date stamp of when the query was generated/printed.
  
  If the appropriate proof of current, active membership is not uploaded/included in your application package by the closing date of the announcement, you will be ineligible for consideration for this position.
• How to Apply
  
  Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
  
  Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements
  
  Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, 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.
  
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  
  1. SSA-45:
  2. The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
  3. Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).
  
  The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 05/20/2024. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.
  
  If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Abel Garcia at a.paul.garcia@ssa.gov or 816-936-5820
  
  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
  
  APPLYING FROM A PERSONAL COMPUTER OUTSIDE OF WORK
  
  SSA employees may access Internal Vacancies On-Line (IVOL) postings and apply for vacancies from locations outside of SSA (e.g., from home, public computer, etc.). Please use the following link: https://www.ssa.gov/careers/ivol/ Be sure to forward the link and other application materials (such as the SSA-45) to an email source accessible from outside of SSA (e.g. your personal computer, etc.). Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
  
  To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  
  
  Abel Garcia
  
  Phone
  
  816-936-5820
  
  Email
  
  a.paul.garcia@ssa.gov
  
  Address
  
  Region VII OHO
  
  Richard Bolling Federal Building
  
  601 East 12th Street
  
  Kansas City, MO 64106
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
  
  To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
  
  Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

The following section provides information on supporting documentation that must be submitted.

SSA-45 (All Applicants)

Applicants for Noncompetitive Consideration only - SF-50 that provides information on the appointment authority under which you were hired (See "Application Requirements - Additional Information" section regarding Noncompetitive Consideration).

Your SSA-45 must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications determinations (e.g., all experience related to your qualifications for this position, full performance level of your current position, the dates at each grade level of your current or prior career-ladder position(s), etc.). These documents will be referred to the selecting official if you are eligible for the best qualified list. Employees' Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.

Your SSA-45 must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.

PROOF OF CURRENT, ACTIVE BAR MEMBERSHIP

Your proof of current, active membership in the Bar of a State, Territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia MUST show current status as ACTIVE as well as the current date of the active membership (e.g., 2024 or 2023-2024). If providing a copy from the state bar website and the current date of active membership is not present, the copy MUST include the date stamp of when the query was generated/printed.

If the appropriate proof of current, active membership is not uploaded/included in your application package by the closing date of the announcement, you will be ineligible for consideration for this position.

How to Apply

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.

Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements

Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, 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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. SSA-45:
2. The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
3. Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).

The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 05/20/2024. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.

If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Abel Garcia at a.paul.garcia@ssa.gov or 816-936-5820

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

APPLYING FROM A PERSONAL COMPUTER OUTSIDE OF WORK

SSA employees may access Internal Vacancies On-Line (IVOL) postings and apply for vacancies from locations outside of SSA (e.g., from home, public computer, etc.). Please use the following link: https://www.ssa.gov/careers/ivol/ Be sure to forward the link and other application materials (such as the SSA-45) to an email source accessible from outside of SSA (e.g. your personal computer, etc.). Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.

Agency contact information



Abel Garcia

Phone

816-936-5820

Email

a.paul.garcia@ssa.gov

Address

Region VII OHO

Richard Bolling Federal Building

601 East 12th Street

Kansas City, MO 64106

US

Next steps

After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Criminal history inquiries
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request