Summary
***This is a Pathways Student Trainee (Claims Representative) open continuous vacancy announcement.***
As a Pathways Intern, you will serve as a Student Trainee (Claims Representative) in the Field Service's Chicago, Illinois District Office for the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. The incumbent will be employed throughout the academic year and can work full-time in the summer. This is NOT a summer only position. You must be able to commute to the District Office.
Clarification from the agency
Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment during the current or next upcoming semester in a degree-seeking program (diploma, certificate, etc.) in an Accredited/Qualifying Educational Institution, on full or half-time basis.
Duties
***This is an open continuous vacancy announcement for multiple locations/positions and can be taken down at any time***
This position is not a remote position (part-time work from home) and the incumbent must physically report to the office for work.
This position is part of the Railroad Retirement Board's Pathways Internship Program, which is designed for current students and individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, on a full or half-time basis. As a paid intern, you will be given the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to pursue a successful career with the RRB and to explore numerous possibilities for growth, learning and valuable work experience.
Pathways Internship positions provide for development and training. Assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training.
As a Pathways Student Trainee (Claims Representative), you will:
- Learn the scope and foundation of claims representative principles and practices and assist the District Office in completing day-to-day operations.
- Research issues to provide general claims representative services.
- Complete on-the-job and formal training as identified by the Network or District Manager and included in your individual development plan.
Assignments will consist of learning the scope and foundation of the Railroad Retirement Board's Field Service operations. The incumbent will use problem solving skills to investigate solutions that will assist members of the public.
Interns may be non-competitively converted to a career-conditional or term appointment within 120 days following successful completion of all of their educational and work experience requirements to a career ladder position with a full performance level of GS-11. Conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed.
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
- Selectees are in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment.
- Complete the online assessment
- All selectees must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
Qualifications
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS OPEN CONTINUOUS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT:
- This is an open continuous vacancy announcement.
- To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit a complete application prior to the established cut-off date(s).
- The initial cut-off date will take place on April 6, 2024 to begin the initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will be considered upon receipt of the next cut-off date.
- The additional established cut-off dates are as follows:
- May 6, 2024
- June 6, 2024
- July 6, 2024
- August 6, 2024
- August 31, 2024
NOTE: The period of eligibility for applications is through each cut-off date. The agency will issue a list of eligible applicants at each cut-off date to the hiring official within the period of eligibility. To be considered for each cut-off, a new application must be submitted.
- Applicants who submit a complete application by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the cut-off dates, will be reviewed and referred if found eligible and qualified for the position.
- Those who apply after the cut-off date will be considered for referral only if additional vacancies occur in the location(s) selected by the applicant.
Interns must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution on a half- to full-time basis (as determined by the educational institution);
- Applicants MUST submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with the online application (see Required Documents for additional details).
- Meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their appointments;
- Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the agency's Participant Agreement with the Intern;
- Meet the qualification standards (e.g., series and grade) for their Internship positions; and
- Meet grade qualifications prior to the start date
If selected, you:
- Must sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement;
- May be employed throughout the academic year;
- Must maintain status as a current student;
- Must maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale;
- Must furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and
- Must provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.
Minimum Qualifications:
For Grade GS-03:
Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study
For Grade GS-04:
Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
This job announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
The RRB Internship Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to students who are currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment . Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:
- Completion of at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Program while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree- or certificate-seeking student
- Completion of a course of academic study, within the previous 120-day period, at a qualifying educational institution conferring a diploma, certificate or degree
- Demonstration of successful job performance
- Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted
- Conversion to the competitive service is not implied nor guaranteed.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM? For additional information regarding the Pathways Program, please refer to the following website: Students & Recent Graduates
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION:
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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 an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.
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.
Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
You may view the questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12335763
Veterans' preference applies to the selection for positions in the Pathways Program.
Eligible, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official in an unranked order by preference status: (1) Preference eligible having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more (CPS and CP); (2) All other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (XP); (3) Applicants eligible for 5-point veterans' preference (TP); and (4) Applicants not eligible for veteran's preference (NV).
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
- Transcripts: All applicants MUST furnish a copy of his/her college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable). Transcripts must include the name of the college or university, specific courses, and the number of semester/quarter hours currently enrolled. Applicants not currently enrolled must provide a student schedule for the upcoming semester/quarter verifying at least half-time enrollment status. If selected, applicants will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
- Proof of Pathways Eligibility: The applicant must show proof such as a letter from his/her accredited U.S. educational institution that verifies:
- have been accepted for enrollment;
- the degree/diploma/certification program in which the applicant is enrolled;
- enrolled at least half-time (as defined by the school);
- number of semester/quarter hours or class schedule for next semester/quarter; and
- anticipated graduation date.
- Veterans' Documentation: If you are a veteran, you must provide a copy of your Record of Military Service (DD-214), and proof of your veterans' preference, if applicable. Veterans with a service connected disability must also submit a completed claim form SF-15 (click here for form) along with the required proofs. Go to FedsHireVets-Veterans Preference for more information.
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account ( https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and possible referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
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