Lead Insurance Specialist_

Philadelphia

Summary Incumbent serves as a Lead Insurance Specialist for the Accounts Services Section. The Division is responsible for the oversight, and exception reporting review, of the check processing activity and preparing and imagining incoming correspondence, and documentation, into the workflow system and the Veterans Insurance Claims Tracking & Response System (VICTARS). The Incumbent will assist Policyholders Services Division supervisory personnel by leading the work and resolving work related issues. Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Section Chief, the incumbent leads a team of five or more individuals in performing the work within the Policyholders Services Division. The Team Leader will be flexible and support any of the individual teams established in the Policyholders Services Division. The incumbent also participates in the work of the team, which includes: Provides technical advice and guidance on all aspects of the Insurance program from policyholders, their representatives, their beneficiaries, and other third party representatives on behalf of the Chiefs, Policyholders Services and Insurance Claims Divisions. Contacts relate to the Government Life insurance programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Researches and Interprets regulations governing life insurance policies in order to reply to inquiries from policyholders on the VA administered insurance programs. Such inquiries may relate to policy maintenance, disability claim, medical underwriting, and/or death awards. As such, the incumbent must be able to respond to inquiries varying in complexity and counsel callers on a variety of topics, including but not limited to, dividends, premiums, non-medical and medical underwriting issues, matured endowments, cash surrenders, loans, death claim processing and tax issues relating to the insurance programs. Uses initiative and judgment when reviewing and analyzing and/or developing facts and evidence submitted on a broad range of insurance claims. Determines 1 f information is sufficient to support payment authorization. Makes decision to approve and authorize payment of claims. Explains the agency's positron to those protesting adverse determinations and defines appeal rights under the existing laws and regulations. Leads the team in assessing its strengths and weaknesses and provides leadership to the team by exploring alternatives and determining improvements in work methods, processes or procedures. Coaches team members on the technical aspects of their required duties; provides advice on work methods, practices and procedures of the Division. Solves work problems and assists the team and/or individual members in identifying. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Time-in-grade: Applicants who are/were federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9 level. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information. And Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: (1) Knowledge of group facilitation methods; problem-solving techniques; team building; leadership; motivation, innovation and flexibility, quality measurement tools, planning and organizing skills, subject ­matter expertise; and coaching and counseling methods and techniques. (2) Incumbent uses skills to plan, organize and direct team work and to negotiate effectively with management to gain acceptance and implementation of recommendations. This knowledge and skills are also applied to lead the assessment of the team's program effectiveness by reviewing selected work samples and projects, identifying problems, and determining and implementing actions to Improve operations. (3) A broad knowledge of all aspects of the six insurance programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (4) In addition, the Incumbent must have knowledge of the Servicemembers' Group Life, Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance, and Veterans Group Life insurance programs. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level: Equivalent combinations of specialized experience and PH.D. graduate education. To compute, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond two years by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify. The Office of Personnel Management's group coverage qualification standards, associated individual occupational requirements (IOR), and individual qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found here. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for federal employment. You can verify your education here. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Additional Information Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00am - 6:00pm, flexible schedules available Title/PD#: Lead Insurance Specialist GS - 11; PD #03808-A Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.