Opportunities are Open! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and you will help shape the workforce of tomorrow. DOL offers rewarding opportunities to contribute to a noble mission; to serve and protect American workers, prepare them for new and better jobs, and to ensure the safety and fairness of American workplaces.
This position is located with the Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) Division of Longshore Harbor workers’ Compensation, in Jacksonville, Florida. The Office is responsible for administering the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) and its extensions: the Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act, the Defense Base Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The LHWCA and its extension provide disability compensation and medical benefits and vocational rehabilitation for covered workers who sustain employment related injuries. Dependents of fatality injured workers are entitled to file claims for death benefits.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Citizenship.
Must be at least 16 years of age.
Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
DUTIES:
The incumbent reviews, examines, develops, and adjudicates a broad range of non-fatal and fatal cases arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA); evaluates medical reports, factual information and other types of evidence submitted in support of a claim for benefits; uses initiative and judgment in developing facts and evidence, and in making initial determinations on assigned claims; advises interested parties and provides technical information of both medical and quasi-legal character to claimants, attorneys, employers and insurance carriers; conducts, negotiates and mediates informal pre-hearings and conferences; prepares formal compensation orders and statements of issues and facts with recommendations for action; makes determinations on controversial issues during pre-hearing conferences; resolves controversial issues by developing and evaluating all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to claim.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal Service.
Specialized experience is prior or current employment in a workers' compensation program and proven experience in independently performing the full duties of the position. Applicants independently reviews, examines, develops and adjudicates or processes the entire spectrum of disability and fatal cases arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions (Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act, the Defense Base Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act), Qualifying experience also includes resolving difficult, complex and/or unusual cases, communicating (orally/in writing) the requirements or rights of the claimant, and, obtaining information from people with diverse backgrounds and levels of understanding and reconciling conflicting interests.
Examples of specialized experience for the GS-12 level include:
Comprehensive practical and theoretical understanding of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions. Experience preparing and reviewing compensation orders. Evaluates and makes recommendations on attorney and representative fees. Processes contested cases, of those likely to be contested in preparation for an informal conference, which the incumbent subsequently conducts. Advises interested parties, both in person and in writing, on applicable provisions of LHWCA, according to established procedures and in accordance with precedents furnished in decisions emanating from the Benefits Review Board and/or various other Federal Courts.
There is no subsitution for education.
Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Please reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
If you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors (competencies) noted below and will be placed into one of the following quality categories based on your responses to the vacancy questions. Categories Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy announcement and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying knowledge, skill, and ability in the critical competencies for this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity. Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy announcement and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies for this position. Category C - Meets the specialized experience outlined in the minimum qualifications requirements section of the vacancy announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies required for this position. Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies (click Evaluation Tools for information):
Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
Technology
Decision Making
Self Management
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Flexibility
Influence/Negotiating
Complexity
The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. It is essential that your resume provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If your responses are not adequately substantiated by your resume, the HRO will amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency that is indicated by the content of your resume. Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments such as an interview, a panel review, written test, writing sample, etc. INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified" for priority selection purposes. Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.
To preview questions please click here .
BENEFITS:
The Department of Labor (DOL) offers a great benefit package to eligible employees. The benefit package includes but is not limited to health benefits, supplemental dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts, 13 days paid sick leave per year, vacation leave and 10 paid holidays per year. We offer a variety of employee benefit options, a family-friendly work environment, a child care subsidy program, transit subsidy program, career assistance program, health services and fitness programs, access to LifeCare, a resource and referral service and more. Employees on Part-Time work schedules receive all of these benefits on a prorated basis. For a comprehensive site about all federal benefits, please refer to OPM . For specific DOL benefits information, please refer to DOL BENEFITS .
OTHER INFORMATION:
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION , PROBATIONARY PERIOD , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
usajobs.gov - 15 months ago
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