Chief of Disability Adjudication Job in Woodlawn, MD

Vacancy No. SSA-EX-629 Department Social Security Administration
Salary $205,750.00 to $225,700.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/22/2025 Close Date 10/6/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Woodlawn, MD


Summary

The Chief of Disability Adjudication (DA) is the Social Security Administration's (SSA) key executive responsible for oversight of the administration of a nationwide disability adjudication program for the Agency.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All groups of qualified individuals within the Civil Service and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may apply. Additionally, current career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, OPM certified graduates of an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP), and individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility may be considered noncompetitively.

Duties

The Chief of Disability Adjudication (DA) oversees an organization responsible for providing the basic framework and mechanisms through which individuals and organizations file for disability under Titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act as amended, which includes initial applications and reconsideration requests whose decisions are rendered by the State Disability Determination Services (DDS). DA also provides the basic framework and mechanisms through which individuals and organizations who are dissatisfied with determinations affecting their rights to and amounts of benefits, or their participation in benefit Programs administered by the Agency under the Social Security Act, including initial disability determinations made by State agencies when requested by the claimant, may administratively appeal such determinations in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure and Social Security Acts.

The Chief is responsible for the following:

  • Managing reviews and disability decisions on applications for disability under title II and title XVI on initial applications and reconsideration requests.
  • Managing and administering the nationwide hearings process of SSA.
  • Managing the Appeals Council (the final level of administrative review under the Administrative Procedure Act for claims filed under titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act).
  • Developing and implementing comprehensive workload management strategies for initial and reconsideration claims, hearings, and appeals filed under the Social Security Act.
  • Managing employee services, performance management, and labor management and employee relations activities for DA nationwide.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

To be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan).

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
  • Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

Qualifications

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME BASED. It is important that your resume be complete and thorough, following the requirements outlined below.

As a basic requirement, to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, applicants MUST demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications within their resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2, or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs).

To be considered minimally qualified for this position, candidates must have had responsible professional experience at a senior level (equivalent to the GS-15 in either the General Schedule (GS) or a comparable pay plan). Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations. Failure to meet this basic qualification requirement and all executive and technical qualification factors automatically disqualifies an applicant.

NOTE: If you are (1) a member of the SES, (2) have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or (3) have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): There are no mandatory technical qualifications for this position.


EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people;

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades;

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality;

ECQ 4: Leading People - Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable; and

ECQ 5: Achieving Results - Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.


DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS (DQs):
1. Senior-level experience managing a large-scale national disability program.
2. Senior-level experience applying national workload management strategies and techniques.
3. Senior-level experience applying employment labor laws and collective bargaining/labor management relations techniques.


**Note for Current and/or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office within your application package.

Education

This job does not have an educational qualification requirement.

Additional information

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Tiering: SSA structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. bands) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

All application materials are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become property of SSA.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Ashley.Tates@ssa.gov.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Do not list a Social Security Number or Date of Birth on any attachment.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above, as evidenced by the quality and extent of your accomplishments and experience within your application materials. Applicants who meet the Executive Core Qualifications will be evaluated by an SES Rating Panel, comprised of at least three SES members, including a Subject Matter Expert. Your application will be rated and ranked using only the information submitted within your resume. ECQs and DQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified.

Applicants determined to be Highly Qualified must demonstrate sufficient possession of the ECQs and DQs, and will be referred to the hiring component for further consideration. Highly Qualified applicants will undergo additional interviews and a reference check. If you are the recommended selectee, you must participant in a Structured Interview assessment based on the ECQs conducted by an OPM Qualifications Review Board prior to appointment, unless you are a current SES executive or have successfully participated in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible).

Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/

Required Documents

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified, and by the closing date of the announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

  • Resume (2-page maximum) - All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
  • Vacancy Assessment Questionnaire Responses - Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs/Application Manager when you apply to this vacancy.
  • Additional Required Documents - Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation, if applicable:
    • CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
    • SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification. You must meet all MTQs.
    • CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES: If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) to substantiate your minimum qualifications eligibility. The provided SF-50 must reflect your grade/step (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment), tenure, and type of service. Providing an SF-50 that does not contain the required information (such as an award SF-50), may result in an ineligible rating.
      • Failure to provide the proper documentation may result in the rating and ranking of your application under competitive procedures, which requires demonstration of the ECQs within your 2-page resume.
  • Strongly Recommended: Most recent performance evaluation
  • If you are a current or former political appointee within the last five (5) years, including Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES, please submit documentation of your appointment, including a copy of your SF-50.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement (10/06/2025) will result in your removal from consideration for this position.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete application no later than 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement - 10/06/2025. If you fail to submit a complete application prior to the closing time, the application system will not allow you to finish. Requests for extensions will not be granted, so please begin the application process with enough time to finish before the deadline.

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.

Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Next Steps:
To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Agency contact information

Ashley Tates
Address
Office of the Commissioner
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US

Next steps

You may check your application status at any time after the announcement closes. USAJobs has an alert setting in the system to drive status update notifications for applicants. We recommend that you update your USAJobs profile to receive these status updates via email after the announcement closes. We will update your status on-line as changes are made.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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