Workers Compensation Claims Examiner
Location: Seattle, Washington
Description: Department Of Labor is hiring Workers Compensation Claims Examiner right now, this vacancy will be dwelled in Washington. More details about this vacancy opportunity please read the description below. 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.
The Department of Labor values its customers. Every DOL employee is responsible for delivering good customer service through accurate, courteous, efficient and effective transactions.
This position is located in the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (DEEOICP) which is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Seattle, WA. The mission of the DEEOICP is to deliver benefits to eligible employees and former employees of the Department of Energy (DOE), its contractors and subcontractors or to certain survivors of such individuals. The mission also includes delivering benefits to certain beneficiaries of Section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). The Energy Employees Occupational Illness C! ompensation Act (EEOICPA) provides compensation and medical be! nefits to employees who become ill as a result of working in the atomic weapons industry. The EEOICPA also offers benefits to their survivors. Workers who developed certain illnesses as a result of work performed in the production and testing of nuclear weapons while they were employees of the DOE, its predecessor agencies, or its contractors and subcontractors, are eligible for benefits. Employees of DOE designated Atomic Weapons Employers (AWE) and beryllium vendors are also eligible for compensation.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
This position is inside the bargaining unit.
At least five (5) positions will be filled through from this announcement. If additional vacancies become available, additional selections will be made.
This position has promotion potential to GS-12. Promotion Potential: There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions are dependent on your ability to perform! the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and supervisory approval.
Also being advertised as job announcement #MS-13-SF-OWCP-086 for status applicants, Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) applicants & persons eligible under these non-competitive authorities: [HR to edit] Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA); 30% or more compensably disabled veterans; persons w/disabilities (Schedule A); present/former Peace Corps (PC) personnel & former PC volunteers. To be considered for each, apply to BOTH jobs. KEY REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Citizenship.
.Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
Appointment to this position may require a background investigation. DUTIES:
At the GS-9 level, the incumbent adjudicates a broad range of occupational illness and survivor claims filed under the EEOICPA. Examines claims for factual and medical sufficiency, legal correctness, and ! other types of evidence submitted in support of a claim for benefits. C! onducts appropriate research and investigation to ensure that proposed claims decisions are consistent with law, regulations, Workers' Compensation procedural manual, and precedent/policy decisions. As necessary for development of a submitted claim, develops request for occupational radiation dose reconstruction provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and works to evaluate response. Develops recommended adjudication, including proposed payments of compensation and medical benefits. Refers very complex, controversial, or contested/potentially contested cases to a more senior claims examiner. Advises interested parties, both in person and in writing, on applicable provisions of EEOICPA. Provides technical information of both medical and quasi-legal character to claimants, attorneys, employers, insurance carrier4s, physicians, labor union officials, representatives of State agencies, Members of Congress and other interested parties.
At the GS-11, incumbent reviews, examines, develops, and prepares recommended decisions for a full range of occupational illness claims for employees and survivors; including claims with an exceptional degree of complexity or difficulty in terms of determining appropriate actions on a claim. Many of the issues are difficult to resolve and involve careful consideration of medical and employment facts, exhaustive and complex fact finding, and careful interpretation of applicable laws, regulations, and precedents. The incumbent researches, compiles, and reconciles voluminous amounts of data from various sources, and conducts analysis and interpretation of the information to arrive at the appropriate recommended decision to authorize or deny compensation and/or medical benefits. Examines evidence submitted in support of initial claims and determines if the submission includes sufficient factual and medical evidence to meet eligibility requirements. Works closely with claima! nts, authorized representatives, employers, medical providers, and othe! r sources to establish causation between employment exposure to radiation and/or toxic substances. Assures claims fully address an employee's medical conditions and establishes causation between claimed conditions and exposures at work. Conducts extensive fact finding and defines questions and issues for presentation to physicians, industrial hygienist, toxicologists, or other necessary specialists. Requests and evaluates occupational radiation dose reconstructions provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Determines the probability that radiation was or was not the likely cause of an employee's cancer. The incumbent plans and carries out all aspects of the claims review and development, resolves conflicts that arise, interprets governing regulations, and handles the most complex and controversial claims. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience in or related to the position being fill! ed that is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.
Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience in or related to the position being filled that is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.
For the GS-9 level , Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level OR two (2) full years of full-time graduate education or a Masters or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.). Specialized experience for this grade level is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to research issues, elicit specific information, and review facts in order to determine eligibility for benefits. This experience may have been gained in a medical, insurance or similar organization that required analyzing legal, employment, or medical records.
For the GS-11 level , Applicants must have a Ph.D. o! r equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively h! igher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal Service. (Please note a J.D. is not equivalent to a doctoral degree.) Specialized experience for this grade level is experience in adjudicating and processing claims to include investigating for medical and other benefits, and issuance of recommendations or decisions to award or deny those benefits. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include researching, analyzing and evaluating claims of occupational illnesses or injuries; professional legal work which included interpretation of Federal laws and legal requirements; negotiating or mediating under supervision benefit or workers compensation claims; experience obtained in a position responsible for analyzing employment and medical records and using laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices and procedures to determine benefits entitlemen! t that includes experience investigating complex employment and medical issues. This experience may have been gained in a medical, insurance or similar organization that required analyzing legal, employment, or medical records.
A combination of education and experience may be used to meet the required experience requirements at the GS-9 and GS-11 levels. To be creditable, graduate education must have completed at an accredited college or university (or law school). Such education must be in a discipline related to the work of the position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
Related disciplines include, but are not limited to, public administration, business administration, law, finance, economics, statistics, accounting, psychology, or sociology, research, communication, criminal justice.
For additional information, refer to OPM Qualification Standards Operating Manual, Group Coverage Qualification Standa! rds for Administrative and Management Positions.
NOTICE TO ! APPLICANTS: Applicants referred to the selecting official will be asked to provide a short writing sample during the course of the interview. This sample will be used as an additional source of information regarding the applicant's ability to communicate in writing, an important aspect of the work.
College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education - Transcripts (in English) must be submitted if (a) a degree is required for the position, and/or (b) education is used as the basis for qualifying for this position. The Department of Labor does not recognize academic degrees from schools that are not accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the Department of Education. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If courses were taken at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, or from several differen! t colleges or universities, you must submit all the necessary transcripts. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.
Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. 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 s! imilar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying knowl! edge, 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:
Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence - Knowledge and application of the laws, regulations, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, government organization and functions. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provi! de information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Self Management - Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. 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. Flexibility - Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new informati! on, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals wit! h ambiguity.
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 b! e well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B (WELL QUALIFIED CATEGORY) 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 .
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. Empl! oyees on Part-Time work schedules receive all of these benefits on a pr! orated 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:
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 , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
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If you were eligible to this vacancy, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department Of Labor.
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This vacancy starts available on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 04:08:50 GMT
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