GENERAL INFORMATION ON POSITIONS

Claims Specialists

As a Claims Specialists, you will assist individuals in establishing entitlement to benefits under Social Security programs.  You will have contact with the public either in face-to-face interviews or by telephone.  These contacts allow you to obtain, clarify, and verify information which you will use to analyze claims and make decisions regarding entitlement to benefits.

To qualify for this position, you must be a U.S. citizen and have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university.  In some instances, experience may be substituted for education.  Because these positions require extensive and responsible public contact, the ability to meet and deal with the public is a selecting factor.

There are also Special Hiring Opportunities for Disabled Individuals, and Veterans which are outlined in detail below.

Many Claims Specialists deal with the public where bilingual ability is highly desirable.  Also, the ability to communicate with deaf or hearing-impaired individuals using signed English or American Sign Language is desirable for some positions.  Each year many vacancies are particularly interested in applicants who are bilingual in Spanish and Asian languages.

Depending on your qualifications, you may enter these positions at either the GS-5 or GS-7 grade level.  The training program for these positions is generally 24 weeks.

Customer Service Representatives

As a Customer Service Representative, you have in-person and telephone contact with people from all social, economic and educational backgrounds.  You provide assistance to the public by answering a wide variety of questions about Social Security programs.  You explain technical provisions of the law and provide information about benefits.  Customer Service Representatives also investigate situations and resolve problems that beneficiaries may have with their payments.

To qualify for this position, you must be a U.S citizen and have either 52 weeks of experience that includes any kind of work in which you have demonstrated an aptitude for meeting and dealing with the public and the ability to understand and apply a body of rules, regulations and precedents to specific cases or applications for benefits, privileges, etc. or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Employees generally enter these positions at the GS-5 level.  With good performance, employees receive regular promotions to the GS-8 level.  If selected for this position, you will attend a Customer Service Representative training course during which you will learn about the Social Security laws and regulations.  This course last approximately 15 weeks.

Also, the ability to communicate with deaf or hearing-impaired individuals using signed English or American Sign Language is desirable for some positions.