Human Resources Specialist (Workers' Compensation) - Architect of the Capitol

Summary If you are ready to leverage your experience in human resources then consider serving in the Architect of the Capitol's (AOC), Employee Benefits & Services Branch as the Workers’ Compensation Program Manager. This is a great opportunity to provide HR advice and guidance regarding compensation claims, policies, guidelines and procedures. In addition, you may also support division responsibilities such as benefits, retirement, telework and the agency's transit program. Responsibilities As an expert on workers’ compensation, major duties and responsibilities include: Acting as specialist who assists team members with responsibilities for the Workers' Compensation program for the Architect of the Capitol. Operating within limits of cost, schedule, and performance, as approved by the supervisor and providing input to update policies and procedures and Human Capital Management Division (HCMD) Manuals to ensure compliance with Government-wide Workers Compensation regulations and AOC requirements. Assisting in the development of case documentation, ensuring that all required forms are completed and signed before submission to Department of Labor case examiners. Assisting employees and supervisors in following the proper procedures for restoration of any applicable leave. Assisting team members in performing reviews of workers’ compensation claims and documentation, determining completeness and timeliness, and reviewing for accuracy and consistency and ensuring that all required documentation is developed and produced for the most equitable treatment of injured employees and those affected by occupational related illness. Presenting data and interpreting findings to management. Developing criteria for measuring program effectiveness of HCMD programs and practices in other organizations. Testing systems, procedures, forms and performance indicators to be used by HCMD staff in implementing or revising programs. Briefing AOC employees on new developments and trends in the Workers’ Compensation program. Addressing technical questions posed by other staff members or managers and briefing them on procedures and requirements. Presenting workers’ compensation training to keep all affected parties aware of changes in programs and operational procedures. Analyzing changes in laws and regulations that affect AOC operations. Identifying and clarifying problems and issues as well as proposing instructions to implement required actions. Research laws, rules, regulations, and precedents at AOC and other organizations. Developing strategies for evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of workers’ compensation programs at the AOC. Conducting studies of the effectiveness of “return to duty” and “light duty” assignments and developing systems, procedures, forms, and performance indicators to be used by HCMD staff in implementing or revising the Agency’s workers’ compensation program. Participating in strategic planning efforts aimed at reducing workers’ compensation injuries. Partnering with the Information Technology Division (ITD) to develop automated systems and procedures to produce documents, track personnel actions, and develop statistical reports on program trends and developments. Thoroughly reviews complex worker compensation claims and ensures that accompanying documentation are complete and accurate. Determines the most equitable treatment for the injured employee and for those affected by occupational-related illnesses. Makes appropriate contacts to resolve concerns regarding inconsistencies, incompleteness, inaccuracies, or deception. Reviewing and submitting completed requests in the Employee Compensation Management Portal (ECOMP) for final processing. Receives, reviews, and submits medical and other factual documentation to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Corresponds with treating physicians and health providers. As required, corresponds with DOL regarding requests for second opinions, controverts, and challenges. Maintains constant review of case file status to reduce chargebacks submitted by DOL. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be able to pass a drug test. Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs. You must meet the definition of specialized experience. To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below: A citizen of the United States; A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States. Qualifications You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards Specialized experience: is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Candidates for the GS-11 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as the following: (1) Experience or familiarity with counseling and processing workers' compensation program or similar HR Program experience. (2) Familiar with OWCP Policy and Department of Labor (DOL) guidance related to workers' compensation. (3) Ability to work with Employees, Supervisors and DOL internal and external clients (4) Ability to research and provide technical expertise, program and policy advice and guidance to employees and leadership on workers' compensation matters; and (5) Ability to understand and apply DOL, Office of Workers’ Compensation regulations and guidance. Education Additional Information Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide, and cover the cost for the drug test. The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation and/or disability. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee(s) is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol. All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.