Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Casualty Assistance Representative,(CAR), Casualty and Survivor Benefit Program Specialist. Responsibilities Summary (Cont.) Analyzing and recommending changes and administering the Casualty Services and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) programs and to provide Subject Matter Expertise in benefits and entitlements afforded through a wide variety of programs such as those from the Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and state and local agencies. DUTY 1: Program Specialist for an installation's Casualty Services. Analyzes, implements, and administers total advisory services and comprehensive programs related to casualty services. Independently performs a variety of complex assignments involving identifying beneficiaries eligible for benefits and entitlements of seriously ill, very seriously ill or deceased Airmen, providing tailored information to the Next of Kin (NOK). Coordinates, advocates and obtains a variety of resources and services for surviving personnel and their families. DUTY 2: Serves as a subject matter expert for the installation's Casualty Policy and Casualty Program Educator programs. Develops and implements publicity and information programs as they relate to Casualty Services, Survivor Benefits, Record of Emergency Data and the various government life insurance programs. DUTY 3: Provides advisory services and administers comprehensive programs related to Casualty Services. Provides guidance on casualty reporting, notification, and assistance programs. Analyzes and refines work methods, gathers information, identifies issues and develops recommendations to resolve substantive problems of effectiveness and efficiency of casualty operations. DUTY 4: Program Specialist for an installation's Survivor Benefit Program (SBP). Provides counseling, guidance, and interpretations concerning the broad range of rights and benefits, explaining both short and long term impact of the SBP on Air Force personnel and their families. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Conditions of Employment (Cont.) Public speaking and active training of large groups is an integral part of this position. This position meets the administrative exemption criteria for the Fair Labor Standards Act (5 CFR 551.206) Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions. Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year, or will have one year within 120 days of closing of this announcement, at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes administering program requirements for installations and analyzing and evaluating a variety of cases as related to the Casualty Services and Survivor Benefits programs; provide authorities advisory service based on extensive knowledge of military human resources (HR) management policies, programs and federal benefits/entitlements; interpreting, implementing, adapting and counseling on the policies and regulations related to the military casualty and survivor benefits programs; performing advisory services for specific requests, conducting interviews and motivating apathetic or negatively inclined individuals to use benefits and services; and analyzing and evaluating program issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature and formulate/implement corrective measures. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. OR EDUCATION: 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 Note: You must submit a copy of official transcripts OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: at least two years of progressively higher level graduate education, but have not obtained a Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree. Therefore, I have a combination of experience and education. Note: You must submit a copy of official transcripts FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of comprehensive programs of federal entitlements administered by DOD, VA, and the SSA as they pertain to the Survivor Benefits/Survivor Rights Programs, Casualty Services and military life insurance programs (including the impact other survivor benefits will have on SBP, Civil Service retiree pensions and effect on military retired pay and survivor annuities) and the inter-relationship of these benefits and how it compares with commercial alternatives. 2. Knowledge of and familiarity with the responsibilities of the DFAS Centers, the VA, and the SSA. Ability to resolve problems related to casualty operations and the SBP with these agencies. 3. Knowledge of military rank and precedents and chain of command and the processes for verifying deaths, and the processes required by the Casualty Services Program. 4. Knowledge of interment rights and benefits provided by the VA including travel for family members, transportation of household goods/extension requests, and claims for destruction of personal property. 5. Ability to resolve problems related to casualty operations and the SBP with these DFAS Centers, the VA, and the SSA. 6. Ability to develop and apply knowledge of federal, state, and local social services available in the community as they relate to SBP, Casualty Services, and military life insurance programs (SGLI, VGLI, and NSLI). 7. Ability to compile and report data, analyze statistical data for trends, and to make adjustments to the programs. 8. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals, both orally and in writing, and with a high degree of empathy, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with NOK of deceased persons. 9. Ability to perform in-depth research, gather facts and use extensive and effective analytical and evaluative methods to accurately express oneself orally and in writing in a highly effective and professional manner, to interact with diversified groups, individuals and organizations. Public speaking and active training of large groups is an integral part of this position. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. 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