KEY REQUIREMENTS



• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must be able to obtain a Public Trust security clearance.
• You may be required to undergo periodic drug testing.
• This position may require occasional non-emergency travel.
• Direct Deposit is mandatory.
• Males born after 12/31/59 - Selective Service Registration required.

• Monitors flood insurance claims activity in all catastrophe offices to ensure a more effective and efficient claims operation, when appropriate.
• Attends confidences with the Branch chief and other professional staff to furnish advice and assistance to appropriate Federal agency personnel and Federal agency contractors on insurance matters.
• Handles special tasks involving the management and direction of the office, as well as projects dealing with program area matters.
• Replies to telephone inquires from congressional members, committees and the general public concerning insurance matters relative to NFIP claims activist.
• Conducts research and prepares correspondence reflecting claims policy positions relating to the claims insurance aspects of the NFIP.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR). In addition to meeting the IOR, in order to qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade you must have one full year of specialized experience.  Specialized experience is flood claims experience and property insurance experience, to include preparing damage estimates on various properties; experience with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), its policies, procedures and practices; experience in using estimating software to assist in writing property loss estimates, in researching claims policy positions related to claims insurance, preparation of oral and written materials to members of the insurance industry; flood claims handling, monitoring and analysis of problems and recommending solutions. 

Individual Occupational Requirement:

A. I qualify based on Undergraduate and Graduate Education. I have completed a Major study in; finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position.

OR

B. Possess experience applying laws, regulations, and administrative rulings in the performance of such work as determining the kind and amount of insurance necessary to protect the security of government or comparable business loans and the interest of the borrower under loan programs; determining the ability of motor carriers to qualify as self-insurers; analyzing rates and risk classifications to determine their reasonableness; experience in insurance specialties such as casualty or marine; performing pension cost reviews; or similar duties..

Selective Placement Factor:  In addition this position has a Selective Placement Factor. You must meet the SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR to be considered for the position to include the following; Candidates must have demonstrated at least one year of flood claims experience with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Its policies, procedures, and practices.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met within 30 calendar days of the closing date of this announcement.

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- finance, business administration, economics, accounting, insurance, engineering, mathematics, banking and credit, law, real estate operations, statistics, or other fields related to the position, such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock or ranch management, or rural sociology.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Public Trust as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a review of financial issues, such as delinquency, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

1. Knowledge of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and all amendments, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, and the Adjuster Claims Manual, in order to understand the claims aspects of FEMA’s flood insurance program.

2.  Knowledge of comparable property and commercial insurance industry programs and claims practices.

3.  Ability to provide materials to a variety of audiences including members of Congress, members of the insurance industry, and the insuring public.

4.  Ability to provide technical guidance to senior management of the National Flood insurance Program on flood related matters.

Under Delegated Examining (All U.S. Citizens), we will use your job questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education, and training. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

1. Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.

2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.

3. Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click the following link:  View Assessment Questions 

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM’s Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Veterans: Veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific, professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position not considered scientific/professional. For information on veterans’ preference, please click here.

Certain veterans are eligible to apply as a status candidate under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). For more information, please click here.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to www.dhs.gov/careers and select “benefits.”

OTHER INFORMATION:

This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.

Your application must be received by 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. 

To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.

We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may FAX your résumé, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents to (478) 757-3144. You must print a copy of OPM Form 1203-FX, document your responses to the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire and use the official FAX coversheet found here.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Your résumé
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire View Assessment Questions
3. Are you a veteran?  Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. Click here for more veterans’ information.
4. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?  You must submit:
• a copy of your agency notice, and
• a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
• a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on “Application Status,” and then click “More Information.” We expect to make a final job offer within 30 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

For more information on applying for Federal employment, please click here