Workers Compensation Specialist (Workers Compensation Specialist) at Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

About the role

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. Serves as the initial point of contact for all Office of Workers' Compensation Program (OWCP) claims submitted from the field. Provides technical advice and assistance to managers and claimants Bureau-wide on the full range of OWCP issues. Explains rules and procedures to claimants to help them understand their full rights, options, and obligations. Consults with Staffing, Labor/Employee Relations, Equal Employment Opportunity Specialists, Centralized Workers' Compensation Unit's medical advisor, claimants' physicians, and Department of Labor (DOL) personnel to develop a comprehensive and/or integrated approach for addressing/resolving case issues. Reviews new claims to determine nature of claim and adherence to current guidelines, regulations, and polices. Performs extensive research and fact-finding, analysis of results and application of appropriate regulations, policies and appeals board decisions in preparing documents. Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and is performed on a regular and recurring basis. To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements. Education Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related. Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Experience You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular qualifications to perform successfully the duties of the position, and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled. Some examples of this qualifying experience are: Experience in applying the Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) regulations, practices, and procedures relative to the Workers' Compensation Program and advising managers and employees regarding various options, rights, and requirements. Experience in providing technical guidance and consultative services to management and employees associated with the Workers' Compensation Program. Experience reviewing claims, determining the nature of claims and adherence to current guidelines, regulations, and policies. OR Combination of Education and Experience Combinations of successfully completed post high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for this position. AND Quality Ranking Factors: The quality ranking factors are preferred. Therefore, applicants who possess the quality ranking factors can be ranked above those who do not, but no candidates can be rated ineligible solely for failure to possess a quality ranking factor. Applicants who possess the following are preferred: Training: "Advanced OWCP Case Management Training" (Certificate of Completion is required), and Knowledge: Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) regulations, and Experience: Claims processing and management, and proficient using Department Labor's Employees' Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP) and Agency Query System (AQS). Note: Applicants MUSTclearly address these factors in their resume and MUST upload any supporting documentation/certifications at the time you apply. If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities. **Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.** Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility: A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter), Most recent performance appraisal, and Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location. See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: U.S Department of Justice - Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Key Requirements: U.S. Citizenship is Required. See Special Conditions of Employment Section. Selective Service Requirement