Summary
At the full performance level, the incumbent will serve as an actuary in the Division of short-range Actuarial Estimates, planning and conducting comprehensive studies and projects applying the theories and practices of the actuarial science to the analysis, interÂpretation and presentation of data essential to SSA program planning, evaluation and general management.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Duties
- Prepares responses to inquiries from members of Congress, other government agencies and members of the public.
- Prepares material for inclusion in the Annual Trustees Report to Congress.
- Prepares estimates of short range actuarial parameters relative to the OASDI insured and beneficiary population.
- Analyzes beneficiary and benefit data and prepares actuarial tables and reports for use in government publications.
- Gives advice upon request to HHS components, other government agencies, labor unions, research organizations, and members of Congress and their staffs, concerning the impact of proposed legislation.
- Provides input to senior actuaries in establishing deadlines and work schedules, and makes recommendations for new research projects.
Requirements
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 may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period
- Relocation expenses will not be paid
- All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement
Qualifications
Please provide ALL undergraduate and graduate transcripts. All applicants must meet the basic requirement and have courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science totaling at least 24 semester hours. This course work must have also included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites. NOTE: Transcripts are required to substantiate education.
In addition to the basic requirement above, to qualify at the GS-9 level, you must have one of the following:
- Combination of education and experience with at least 52 weeks of actuarial experience at the GS-7, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled which has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include work that involves: using statistical or mathematical methods to assist with collecting and analyzing data for actuarial analysis.; OR
- A master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree in actuarial science; mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science.; OR
- Successfully completed two of the SOA or CAS examinations or received credit for two of the JBEA examinations. NOTE: Documentation of successful completion as evidenced by an official SOA or CAS transcript is required at the time of application.
In addition to the basic requirement above, to qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following:
- Combination of education and experience with at least 52 weeks of professional actuarial experience at the GS-9, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled which has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include work that involves: conducting actuarial studies or analysis using mathematical or statistical methods or theories to create projections or predictions.; OR
- Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science; OR
- One year of professional actuarial experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level and successfully completed three of the SOA or CAS examinations or received credit for three of the JBEA examinations. NOTE: Documentation of successful completion as evidenced by an official SOA or CAS transcript is required at the time of application.
NOTE: Your resume and supporting documents must specifically address the evaluation criteria for the position. This information is instrumental in determining the highest quality candidates to be referred to the Selecting Official. If your application materials do not demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience needed for this position, your application will be ineligible for consideration.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualification standards can be found at the following link: Actuarial Science Series 1510 (opm.gov)
Education
Please provide ALL undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL, OR SCREENSHOTS OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBSTANTIATE POSSESSION OF QUALIFYING EDUCATION, EVEN IF YOU CURRENTLY HOLD OR HAVE PREVIOUSLY HELD AN ACTUARY POSITION. All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email.
For GS-9: Master's degree or equivalent degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree in actuarial science; mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science.
For GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, in actuarial science; mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science.
Providing Proof of Education or Substituting Education
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/1500/actuarial-science-series-1510/.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire, which is designed to capture the desired competencies for this position. These competencies include:
- Knowledge of actuarial and statistical theory and techniques.
- Knowledge of computer techniques for data collection, manipulation and analysis in the development of actuarial cost estimates and projections.
- Ability to communicate technical information orally and in writing.
- Knowledge of demographics, economics, and finance as these areas relate to actuarial work.
- Knowledge of a health insurance program (State, Federal, County) and the legislative process. (GS-11 Only)
Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. The questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. To preview the questions, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12434296
Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements will NOT automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category for the Professional and Scientific Group Standard.
Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method, based on your responses to the Assessment Questions. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:
1 - Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements.
2 - Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
3 - Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Required Documents
You must submit supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement to claim certain types of preference.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP): ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority for competitive service vacancies. To receive selection priority, candidates must meet the requirements for the Well Qualified category as described in the vacancy announcement. Candidates must also provide:
- proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation Notice of Personnel Action, (SF-50); and
- proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.
For more information visit http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD-214 member 4 copy preferred) or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty. To be acceptable, the document must contain dates and show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, you must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Applicants claiming derived preference must submit the SF-15 and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Preference will be granted based on the documents received.
Note: If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD-214 and are claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days of the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, the character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by or under the direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders, or higher headquarters.
For more information visit the Vet Guide.
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.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Your Resume
- The Occupational Questionnaire
- Additional Required Documents, if applicable (see Required Documents section)
The complete Application Package must be submitted before midnight (EST) on 07/19/2024.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
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 OPE Staffing OCIO at OPE.Staffing.OCIO@ssa.gov or 410-965-1234.
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
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.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
Next steps
Once you have successfully submitted your application materials, you can expect to receive at least two or more of the following email notifications concerning your application status: (1) Receipt of application; (2) Qualifications status and whether your application has been Referred/Not Referred to the selecting official; and (3) Selection status for the 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. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
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