Summary
At the Social Security Administration, we offer several career options for people who have proudly served our country. With so many diverse career fields available in our agency, your solid military experience and willingness to selflessly serve can avail you of a rewarding career in public service.
For consideration at SSA under non-competitive hiring authorities for veterans, please see below for more information.
To learn more about opportunities for veterans, please visit FedsHireVets.gov.
Clarification from the agency
Non-competitive employment for veterans eligible under a non-competitive hiring authority (e.g., VRA, 30% or more disabled, VA Training Program, etc.)
Duties
- Your application will be placed into a pool of eligible veterans for evaluation and referral to selecting officials for hiring.
- You may be contacted by interested selecting officials and asked to interview.
- We will not be able to provide status updates other than the receipt of your application via an acknowledgement email from USAStaffingOffice@opm.gov
- You may update your application at any time until the closing date.
- This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies at any time without notification, in any series or grade. Typical job opportunities
within SSA can include, but are not limited to, the following occupations:
- Acquisitions, Grants and Contracts: Contract Specialists, Purchasing Agents, Procurement Analysts, Grants Management Specialists
- Administrative Support: Staff and Executive Assistants, Management Analysts
- Facilities and Physical Security: Physical Security Specialists, Safety and Occupational Health Specialists, Architects, Supply Specialists and
Inventory Management Specialists, Mechanical, Industrial, and Electrical Engineers
- Finance and Accounting: Financial Management Analysts, Accountants, Budget Analysts, IT Specialists
- Human Resources: Management Analysts, Human Resource Specialists, Employee and Labor Relations Specialists, Equal Opportunity Specialists
- Information Technology
- Law Enforcement: Criminal Investigators, Auditors
- Legal: Legal Support, Legal Assistants, Paralegal Specialist, Paralegal Analysts, Paralegal Specialists (Decision Writers), General Attorneys
- Public Contact: Claims Specialists, Customer Service Representatives, Benefit Authorizers
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 are required to serve either a 1-year probationary period or a 2-year trial period
- Relocation expenses will not be paid
- All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement
Qualifications
You must meet the eligibility requirements for veterans preference OR a special hiring authority for veterans to be considered.
Veterans Preference
Veterans preference gives eligible veterans preference in hiring. Preference is given in competitive appointments as well as special noncompetitive appointments. Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions ( i.e., with an honorable or general discharge) are eligible for veterans preference.
There are three types of preference eligible:
- Disabled, regardless of the rating;
- Non-Disabled; and
- Sole survivorship preference
The preference eligibles are divided into five basic groups:
- CPS - Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points)
- CP - Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points)
- XP - Disability rating less than 10% (10 points)
- TP - Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points)
- SSP - Sole Survivorship Preference (0 points)
For more information on the types of veterans preference, visit the Feds Hire Vets Veterans Preference web page.
Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
Below is a list of special hiring authorities designed specifically for veterans. For more information, visit the Feds Hire Vets Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans web page.
Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA)
VRA allows for the appointment of eligible veterans without competition from non veterans. This hiring authority can be used for positions up to GS-11 or equivalent. Veterans are hired under excepted appointments to positions that are otherwise found in competitive service. After the individual satisfactorily completes 2 years of service, the veteran must be converted non-competitively to a career or career-conditional appointment.
Eligibility under the VRA hiring authority applies to any of the following veterans:
- Disabled veterans; or
- Veterans who served in active duty in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; or
- Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the armed forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; or
- Recently separated veterans (within 3 years).
In addition, veterans must be separated from the Armed Forces under honorable or general discharge.
30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
The 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans authority enables the appointment of an eligible candidate to any position for which he or she is qualified without competition. Unlike the VRA, there is no grade-level limitation. Initial appointments are time-limited, lasting more than 60 days; however, individuals can be non-competitively converted to a permanent status at any time during the time-limited appointment.
Eligibility applies to the following categories:
- Disabled veterans who were retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more; or
- Disabled veterans rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more
Disabled Veterans Enrolled in a VA Training Program
Disabled veterans eligible for training under the Veterans Administration (VA) vocational rehabilitation program may enroll for training or work experience at an agency under the terms of an agreement between the agency and VA. While enrolled in the VA program, the veteran is not a Federal employee for most purposes, but is a beneficiary of the VA.
Training is tailored to the individual's needs and goals, so there is no set length. If the training is intended to prepare the individual for eventual appointment in the agency rather than just provide work experience, the agency must ensure that the training will enable the veteran to meet the qualification requirements for the position.
Upon successful completion, the host agency and VA give the veteran a Certificate of Training showing the occupational series and grade level of the position for which the veteran trained. The Certificate of Training allows any agency to appoint the veteran non-competitively under a status quo appointment which may be converted to career or career conditional at any time.
Applicants wishing to be considered for employment using SSA's competitive selection process may also respond to a specific job opportunity announcement listed on SSA's job opportunity page at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?a=SZ00&hp=public&p=1
Education
Providing Proof of Education or Substituting Education
Some positions require proof of education or allow you to use your education to meet qualification requirements. For information on providing proof of education or substituting education for experience, visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards
If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.
Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once we have received your required documentation and questionnaire, we will consider you for job placement under veterans recruitment. You will be evaluated based on your submitted documentation, as well as the following:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Title.
Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. 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. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.
To view qualification requirements for all series, click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for the Interview: Applicants should state any accommodation needed for the interview process prior to the interview, e.g., when the interview is scheduled.
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12169788
Your application will be retained in our active files for one (1) year from the date of receipt.
Resume: You must submit a resume that provides:
- Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
- Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
- Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information
- Job title
- Detailed duties and accomplishments
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and phone number
- Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
- Hours per week
- Salary, if applicable
- Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
Veteran Documentation: You must provide proof of eligibility for veterans preference or a special hiring authority for veterans via your submitted veteran documentation. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING EXCLUDED FROM CONSIDERATION FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
- Form DD-214: 'Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.' If your DD-214 is not available or you are currently on active duty and will not receive your DD-214 until separated, please request a Statement of Service through your Military Personnel Office, including your release date and character of discharge. The Statement of Service must list your dates of military service, character of service, and expected date of separation. If you have been awarded a service-connected disability rating from your branch of military service, include the disability rating in your Statement of Service.
- SF-15: 'Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference,' if claiming 10 point preference based on a service-connected disability. A fillable SF-15 can be found on OPM's website.
- Proof of Disability: If disabled, please provide an official written document from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Military Service Branch certifying your compensable service-connected disability rating.
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Your Resume and Veteran Documentation
- The Occupational Questionnaire
- Additional Required Documents, if applicable (see Required Documents section)
The complete Application Package must be submitted before midnight (EST) on 09/30/2024. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Decisions to grant reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
To complete the Application Package, follow the steps below:
- To begin the process, create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. We recommend you create a resume using USAJOBS' Resume Builder. Please refer to the Required Documents section for instructions on what to include in your resume.
- Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you review the qualification requirements at the OPM link provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section for any occupation for which you feel you may qualify. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your eligibility for that occupation.
- Click on the "APPLY" button near the top of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the agency's website to complete the application process. If this is your first time applying, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to your account for future announcements.
- Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.
- USAJOBS offers two options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcements: (1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement. (2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
- Click the "Submit My Answers" button at the end of the process. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account. Select the position, then the Application Information link.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL DOCUMENTS ARE RECEIVED ON TIME AND THAT THE MATERIALS ARE READABLE. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING EXCLUDED FROM CONSIDERATION FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
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 San Francisco Region CHR General Line at SF.MOS.CHR.Staffing.and.Benefits.Team@ssa.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may also contact us using the e-mail address above.
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email or standard mail. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
Next steps
Your application will be placed into a pool of eligible veterans for evaluation and referral to selecting officials for hiring.
You may be contacted by interested selecting officials and asked to interview.
We will not be able to provide status updates other than the receipt of your application via an acknowledgement email from USAStaffingOffice@opm.gov.
You may update your application at any time until the closing date.
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