Unemployment Insurance Program Specialist - DEADLINE July 13

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=100707144&aid=51042245-8711&WT.mc_n=125

Job Title: Unemployment Insurance Program Specialist
Department: Department Of Labor
Agency: Employment and Training Administration
Sub Agency: U.S. Department of Labor
Job Announcement Number: DE-11-CHI-ETA-0009

SALARY RANGE:
$75,403.00 - $98,022.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:
Thursday, July 07, 2011 to Wednesday, July 13, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0106-12/12
POSITION INFORMATION:
This is a full time position. This is a TERM Appointment no less than 13 months; not to exceed 4 years
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
12
DUTY LOCATIONS:
few vacancy(s) in one of the following locations: Chicago Metro Area, IL
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
U.S. Citizens;
ICTAP eligibles in the Chicago, IL local commuting area.

This announcement is being advertised for the purpose of filling term and/or permanent positions, applicants must specify whether they wish to be considered for term appointment, permanent appointment or both

JOB SUMMARY:
Opportunities are Open! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and you will help shape the workforce of tomorrow. DOL offers rewarding opportunities to contribute to a noble mission; to serve and protect American workers, prepare them for new and better jobs, and to ensure the safety and fairness of American workplaces.

This position is located:
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Office of State Systems
Division of Workforce Security

You will be considered for this position under a TERM Appointment NTE 2 years, with the possibility of being extended. This position has the potential to be extended for up to a term of 4 years total depending on funding and workload.

This position requires the performance of a variety of program-related assignments in one or more front-line, core workforce development lines of work. The incumbent analyzes legislation and develops program requirements, establishes and revises program policy and operating procedures, reviews plans and operations for conformity and compliance with program requirements, procedures and policies, provides technical assistance.


KEY REQUIREMENTS:
U.S. Citizenship.
Must be at least 16 years of age.
Subject to frequent travel.
Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.


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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:

Chicago Metro Area, IL


The incumbent conducts complete studies for the development of revised guideline material. Serves as a senior level specialist. May administer grants and contracts. Selects successful methods and techniques used by other organizations and adapts and extends such material to solve problems in similar situations. Contacts officials of other organizations to advise on problems and render technical assistance. Encourage and negotiate acceptable changes where weaknesses are observed. Conduct follow-up to determine if changes/ improvements have been implemented. The incumbent may be responsible for one or more of the following: developing interpretations of Federal legislation for unemployment insurance (UI) and related wage-loss compensation programs; reviewing State legislation for conformity with Federal requirements; developing operating procedures and policy guidance; developing UI policy and guidance for State officials' use in establishing and operating State UI programs; reviewing the administration and operation of Federal and State UI programs and systems; establishing and maintaining systems for the assessment of UI program accuracy and quality; reviewing State UI and workforce security program budget plans; participating in special studies, reviews, and evaluations of benefit functions, systems, and/or activities designed to enhance program inegrity.


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Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.

GS-12: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-
11 in the Federal Service as defined below.

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant
with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform
successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or
related to unemployment insurance programs. To be creditable,
specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the
next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the
occupation in the organization.

Examples of qualifying experience at the GS-12 level include:
experience that demonstrates a thorough working knowledge of, and ability to interpret, Unemployment Insurance (UI) legislation, policies, programs, and regulations. Providing advice on UI program requirements to officials of Federal or State agencies; reviewing state legislation for conformity with Federal requirements; assessing UI program accuracy and quality; participating in evaluations of UI benefit and tax systems, and activities designed to enhance UI program integrity, performance, or quality to improve services to claimants and employers. Experience in working collaboratively and maintaining cooperative relationships with officials in federal, state, and local government agencies and public entities; communicating effectively in oral presentations and written correspondence to officials, staff, and the general public; keeping management informed on program issues and developments; and setting goals, managing projects, tracking progress and evaluating outcomes.

In addition to the above, the following specialized experience is
required: Experience related to social insurance. This includes
experience applying statistics or mathematics to the social
insurance field. Specialized experience must have demonstrated:
-A knowledge of current social and economic conditions under which
social insurance programs operate, and the principles of
Federal/State/local relationships;
-The ability to extend and modify existing techniques and methods or
to develop new ones to identify, isolate, and resolve special
problems; and
-The ability to develop effective collaborative relationships with
personnel in other fields and with groups having conflicting
objectives.

Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained through work
in the following or similar types of programs; unemployment
insurance; old-age and survivors' insurance; workers' compensation;
disability compensation; or other public or private programs
covering common social insurance risks.
There is no education substitution for this position.
Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Please reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

If you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors (competencies) noted below and will be placed into one of the following quality categories based on your responses to the vacancy questions.

Categories
Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy announcement and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying knowledge, skill, and ability in the critical competencies for this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity.
Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy announcement and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies for this position.
Category C - Meets the specialized experience outlined in the minimum qualifications requirements section of the vacancy announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies required for this position.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies (click Evaluation Tools for information):

Technical competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.
Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. It is essential that your resume provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If your responses are not adequately substantiated by your resume, the HRO will amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency that is indicated by the content of your resume. Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments such as an interview, a panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified" for priority selection purposes.

Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.
To preview questions please click here.


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Benefits and Other Info

BENEFITS:
The Department of Labor (DOL) offers a great benefit package to eligible employees. The benefit package includes but is not limited to health benefits, supplemental dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts, 13 days paid sick leave per year, vacation leave and 10 paid holidays per year. We offer a variety of employee benefit options, a family-friendly work environment, a child care subsidy program, transit subsidy program, career assistance program, health services and fitness programs, access to LifeCare, a resource and referral service and more. Employees on Part-Time work schedules receive all of these benefits on a prorated basis. For a comprehensive site about all federal benefits, please refer to OPM. For specific DOL benefits information, please refer to DOL BENEFITS.

OTHER INFORMATION:
Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) Authorization No. DOL-1.
Promotion potential: GS-12.
This position is inside the bargaining unit, NCFLL.
This is a TERM appointment not to exceed 2 years. The agency has the option of extending a TERM appointment up to the 4 year limit.
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION, PROBATIONARY PERIOD, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES


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How To Apply

HOW TO APPLY:
Follow the 5 steps below to apply online to a Department of Labor (DOL) vacancy. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to be considered. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered.

For more details, reference How To Apply Detailed Instructions. For help, refer to the Vacancy Contact on the announcement in the "Questions about this job" section. Save your information before the 60 MINUTE TIMEOUT or risk losing your information!

STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account, including Resume and Saved Documents
It is essential that your resume provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If your responses are not adequately substantiated by your resume, the HRO will amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency that is indicated by the content of your resume.

STEP 2 - Answer Vacancy Questions (DOORS)
Click the Apply Online button, which is available when you search for a job on www.usajobs.gov, click on the title and proceed.

STEP 3 - Submit Supplemental Documents
Submit the required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy by the close date. For details: click How to Submit Supplemental Documentation. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. To avoid this, submit documents (ex. undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts) as one document.

STEP 4 - Review Application and click Finish Click here to submit an updated resume after initial application.

STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Close Date

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Submit your documents by following the instructions provided in the "How to Apply" section or go to www.jobs.dol.gov and click on "How To Submit Supplemental Documentation". You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you.

- Veterans Documents (if applicable): In order to be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. If you are claiming 10-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. Additional information on veterans' preference is available in the Vet's Guide at: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility.

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Marie Prendergast
Phone: 312-353-1521
Fax: 000-000-0000
TDD: 877-889-5627
Email: prendergast.marie@dol.gov Agency Information:
U.S. Department of Labor
230 S. Dearborn Street
Rm. 1026
Chicago, IL 60604
Fax: 000-000-0000

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.

To check the status of your application: Click here. To sign up for Application Status Updates via email: Click Here.