Are you interested in helping to operationalize the newly enacted Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP), which will provide health insurance options to approximately 1.7 million postal service employees, annuitants and their family members? Join the team charged with leading contracting, planning implementation, program analysis, developing processes and procedures, benefit negotiations and disputed claims resolution for the PSHBP.

Duties

THIS IS A PUBLIC NOTICE: This Notice is issued under Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit new talent to these occupations for which there is a severe shortage of candidates. This means that we can hire any qualified candidate, either from this notice or from any source. This position will be dedicated to implementing and managing ongoing operations for the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program. Please note, there may or may not be actual/projected vacancies when you submit your application. Your resume and any supporting documentation will be retained with other applicants and reviewed as vacancies occur. You will not receive a notice regarding your application's status. Position 24-PSIO-INS-CO-JRT-SPLASH: Insurance Contracting Officer: This position is located within the Contracting Group in the Postal Service Insurance Operations (PSIO) office under Healthcare and Insurance (HI). PSIO is responsible for the administration of the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which provides health insurance coverage to approximately 1.7 million individuals, made up of Postal Service employees, Postal Service annuitants, and their eligible family members. Duties include: Negotiates with the officers or representatives of insurance carriers to resolve outstanding issues within the area of responsibility. Evaluates contractor proposals and recommends settlement terms and conditions seeking agreement on terms most favorable to the Government. Reviews carrier contract proposals to determine whether or not the objectives are consistent with the PSHB, if the associated costs are reasonable, if appropriate contractual language and documentation exists, and if the proposal is consistent with FEBAR and PSHBAR provisions. Plans and conducts post-award conferences to ensure compliance with, and full understanding of, contractual requirements and to preclude unauthorized changes or alterations in contract provisions. Monitors contractors' performance and solves problems associated with contract disputes. Reviews the completed official contract file to ensure: all contractual requirements are satisfied, there are no pending administrative actions to be resolved, all file documents are signed, no litigation actions are pending, and the contract is entirely complete. Certifies the contract is properly ready to be closed. Analyzes settlement proposals, audit reports and technical evaluations. Makes recommendations about allowable costs and profit determination. Researches problems and contracts disputes and determines alternative courses of action; prepares impact statement; and recommends a pre- negotiation settlement position to higher authority. Reviews and approves vendor subcontracts to the prime contractor to assure compliance with the FEBAR, PSHBAR, and internal policy requirements. Evaluates contractor's cost estimates and accounting systems. Identifies factors affecting contractor's costs using historical production and statistical cost data, reports from auditors or technical specialists, and contractor cost breakdowns regarding labor, materials, overhead, and profit. Projects price trends, isolates economic factors, and evaluates efficiencies in production. Responsible for the overall work outcome and must gain the cooperation of other contract specialists, claims examiners, and customer service representatives to accomplish the assignment. Serves as an expert and advises management officials and others concerning the FEBAR, the PSHBAR, their interrelationships, and differences. Monitors and evaluates changes and trends in the employee benefit packages and personnel policies of major employers and appraises the implications of such changes with respect to assigned contracts and the PSHB Program as a whole. Provides consultation and expert advice on major aspects of Postal Service employee health insurance programs. Assesses the forces and dynamics affecting employee benefit programs nationally and participates in long-range planning involving the health insurance benefits available to Postal Service employees, annuitants, and their families. The employee functions as a recognized subject matter expert and source of authoritative program information in a broad substantive area. Serves as advisor to officials at the highest levels of the agency on matters within the assigned area of responsibility. Functions as spokesperson and point of contact for outside constituencies with respect to such matters. Prepares reports, makes recommendations, and suggests or assists in proposing policy action or legislative initiatives concerning possible changes in the PSHB Program or the benefit packages offered by participating health insurance plans. Some recommendations may be self-initiated on the basis of the employee's subject matter expertise.

Requirements

Qualifications

For the GS-14 Grade Level: You must have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service (obtained in public or private sectors), which includes performing the following activities: Negotiating with insurance carriers to resolve outstanding issues; Evaluating contractor proposals and recommending settlement terms; Coordinating pre-negotiation strategy with technical specialists and representatives; Conducting post-award conferences to ensure compliance with, and full understanding of, contractual requirements; and Reviewing and approving vendor subcontracts to the prime contractor to assure compliance with the FEHBAR, PSHBAR, and internal policy requirements; You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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; religious; 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.

Contacts

• Address OPM Human Resources 1900 E St., NW Washington, DC 20415 US
• Name: HI Direct Hire
• Phone: 202-606-9321
• Email: [email protected]