Area of Consideration: Open to current, permanent employees assigned to the Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC).

Duties

This Human Resources Assistant (ER/LR) position is assigned to the Human Resources Management Service (HRMS) of VISN 12. This position performs a variety of HR program functions in Federal Workers' Compensation and performs administrative work to support the HR Specialists in these program areas. Major Duties: Federal Workers' Compensation Case Management: Supports technical review, analysis and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate processing of WC claims. Provides guidance and counsel regarding the rights, responsibilities, and requirements under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act immediately following the first report of work-related injury or illness. Evaluates the disposition of each workers' compensation claim to determine whether it is necessary to transmit the claim form to OWCP or maintain it in the Employee's Medical Folder. Prepares a written statement of challenge to notify OWCP of the deficiencies when any of the five elements are not met with factual and objective evidence for review by supervisor (or designee). Evaluates all claims against the nine factors for continuation of pay and prepares a letter of controvert, as necessary for concurrence by supervisor (or designee). Monitors the medical progress and duty status of all injured workers by obtaining periodic medical reports to determine duty status or clarify medical work restrictions imposed to assist the injured worker in progressing to full duties of the pre-injury position. Researches medical terms, procedures, and protocol of medical treatment to effectively manage claims and to understand the impact of the injured employee's medical condition. Interpretation of medical evidence and terminology to analyze the medical component of the claim, ensuring medical evidence supports the claimed level of disability. Develops and monitors light duty assignments for injured workers until they can return to their pre-injury position. Reviews medical payments for all EC cases on at least a quarterly basis to ensure that charges and payments are appropriate. Coordinates and/or initiates processing of employee benefits, absences, and return to work among human resources, fiscal, and the Department of Labor. Workers' Compensation Program Operations: Assists in developing and implementing standardized VISN procedures and processes governing facility workers' compensation program activities and methods for used in evaluation employee benefits. Assists in development of VISN workers' compensation educational and training material to ensure consistent implementation of methods and procedures. Provides managers and employees throughout the VISN with information, education, and training on the VISN workers' compensation program. Assists Specialist in preparation of representation of the workers' compensation program for the agency in DOL hearings, ORM, EEO third party claims, and MSPB proceedings, as warranted. Provides Specialist with draft responses to Congressional Inquiries, EEO issues and hearings, including EEO, ORM, MSPB and civil litigation issues both orally and in writing by reviewing workers' compensation cases, performing fact finding, and advising and/or representing management officials as necessary. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday through Friday; 7:30am to 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Relations-Workers Compensation)/PD99960S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. GS-6 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in Federal service that 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. Specialized experience is defined as: Performing a variety of record keeping, reporting, and information duties. Preparing correspondence and reports using MS Office applications. Using computerized systems to edit and retrieve information from a database. Using qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to make informed judgments on problems and issues. Applying legal research methods, information gathering techniques, and analytical skill sufficient to locate, interpret, and analyze precedent and substantive decisions, and/or legal opinions that various courts, commissions, and administrative bodies have rendered. Working with laws, regulations, Executive Orders, agency HR policies and procedures, court decisions and issues. GS-7 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level in Federal service that 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. Specialized experience includes: Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of laws, regulations, Executive Orders, agency HR policies and procedures, court decisions and issues as they pertain to the assigned areas of responsibility. Working with laws, regulations, Executive Orders, agency HR policies and procedures, court decisions and issues. Applying, legal research methods, information- gathering technique. Applying analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of HR issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of personnel both internal and external to the agency. Skill in effectively communicating with employees at all levels in the organization. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analysis and Problem SolvingCommunicationsHR Information SystemsOrganizational Stewardship Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: No special physical exertion is required. The work is primarily performed while sitting, although some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VHA VISN 12 Human Resources FOUR WESTBROOK CORPORATE TOWER 11301 W. CERMAK ROAD, SUITE 810 WESTCHESTER, IL 60154-5768 US
• Name: Jill Janikowski
• Phone: 414-384-2000 X44602
• Email: [email protected]