Pathways Recent Graduate Claims and Program Representative

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is an independent agency of the Federal Government that administers retirement, survivor, unemployment, and sickness benefit programs for the nation’s railroad workers and their families. An RRB Claims and Program Representative performs an important role with the RRB as the first point of contact in one of our Field Offices located nationwide.

The Pathways Recent Graduate Claims Representative begins service in a dynamic, one year development program with the potential for a career in government service at the RRB following the completion of the program. This position is open to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Additional eligibility and program requirements are available on the USAJobs.gov job announcement, link is provided below.

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/785414300 

This position is not a remote position (full-time work from home) and the incumbent must physically report to the office for work. The position is telework eligible. Eligible employees will be approved for telework after successful completion of an initial training period.

The RRB Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, one-year developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:

• Successful completion of at least 1-year of continuous service
• Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training
• Demonstration of successful job performance
• Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate may be converted.
• Conversion to the competitive service is not implied nor guaranteed.

If you are converted to a permanent position after completion of the program, you will be placed into a ladder GS-9/11 position.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAYS PROGRAMS? For additional information regarding the Pathways Program, please refer to the following website: Students & Recent Graduates

As a Claims and Program Representative, you will:

• Handle calls through the Nationwide Toll-Free Service (NTFS) which may come from any area within the network or from another network.
• Develop and maintain liaison with railroad employers, labor organizations, Congressional offices, Social Security Administration (SSA) offices, other Federal, State and local government agencies, private organizations, hospitals, nursing homes, etc., to promote understanding of the agency programs and services, encourage cooperation and provide training and foster positive public relations.
• Provide a full range of client services both within and outside the district office location regarding benefits available under the various programs administered by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
• Conduct interviews to obtain information about an individual applicant's eligibility and entitlement to benefits under the retirement, survivor, disability, sickness and unemployment programs.
• Develop evidence necessary under the appropriate program regulations.
• Examine evidence and evaluates its validity and acceptability.
• Adjudicate claims for benefits and makes entitlement decisions.
• Compute and award payment of benefits.
• Conduct investigations, including sensitive and difficult interviews, to obtain additional information requested by headquarters or the district office.
• Answer questions and provides guidance on other programs such as Medicare, taxation of benefits, and Social Security entitlement.