Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for GS-09: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service that includes the following:

• Gathering or requesting evidence to respond to claimant inquiries for federal, state, or local benefits in areas such as but not limited to: burial benefits, education benefits, monetary benefits, welfare benefits, housing benefits and various other federal, state, or local programs.

OR, A Master's or equivalent graduate degree, 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related fields of study. (You must provide transcripts);
O R, a combination of specialized experience and education as described, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

To qualify for GS-10: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service that includes the following:

• Assisting claimants with applications for federal, state, or local benefits in areas such as but not limited to: burial benefits, education benefits, monetary benefits, welfare benefits, housing benefits and various other federal, state, or local programs; and
• Identifying errors, inconsistencies, or omissions in federal or state-administered benefits request package.

OR, Two and a half years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position.
OR, a combination of specialized experience and education as described, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

GS-11 grade level: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal service that includes the following:

• Explaining federal or state-administered benefits decisions to claimants to help them gain an understanding of claim determinations; and
• Evaluating evidence and allegations to draw sound conclusions regarding benefit claims

OR, a combination of specialized experience and education as described, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement.

Specialized Experience: GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of full-time specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include:

• Determining the eligibility for federal, state, or local administered benefits, such as: disability, education, housing, medical and/or veterans' benefits; and
• Applying federal or state laws to process claims pertaining to a employment, disability or benefit program.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-12 level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.