|
|
SSA Is Hiring Across the USABy: Jim Hasse
Summary:
People with disabilities have a unique opportunity right now to obtain meaningful employment through the Social Security Administration. Here's how to take advantage of this opportunity. 
Where are these jobs located? Where can I find out about these jobs? How do I submit my resume under this special hiring initiative? How will SSA recruit? What is "Schedule A"? What is the Ticket to Work program? Do disabled veterans receive special consideration when applying for Federal jobs? Can college students apply for positions in Federal service? What is SSA's Track Record as an Employer? The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently received funding through a federal economic recovery act to hire 6,000 more employees throughout the country during 2009 and beyond. This hiring initiative offers a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities (especially Ticket to Work holders, veterans and students) who may want to get a job or internship with SSA. What kinds of jobs is SSA offering? SSA is recruiting employees to work in 1,300 field offices, 37 teleservice centers and six program services offices where they will assist the public by phone and in person with a wide variety of program-related activities such as filing claims, applying for new or replacement Social Security cards and other types of inquiries. SSA also is recruiting employees to work in claims processing centers and to work in hearings offices in legal and paralegal positions. These jobs will be at various skill levels, including a number of entry-level positions. For some jobs, a college degree is not necessarily needed. Others require college degrees. Some call for law degrees. Where are these jobs located? They are located all across the United States. For example, some are in the local SSA field offices or SSA hearings offices. Some are in the 37 teleservice centers nationwide, some in SSA's program service centers and some at SSA headquarters in the Baltimore area. Where can I find out about these jobs? To search and apply for jobs, visit www.usajobs. There you can post your resume online (let recruiters contact you or keep your resume private), apply for Federal government jobs (find jobs you want and get your resume in the right hands) or receive automated job alerts (create Job Agents for updates on the latest listings). How do I submit my resume under this special hiring initiative? Submit your application or resume for consideration of a specific position at this e-mail address: Selective.Placement.Applications@ssa.gov. Include RESUME in the subject line for all submissions of resumes. Your resume will also be automatically included in a national SSA database for positions before they are posted. How will SSA recruit? SSA will use a variety of avenues to recruit and hire people with disabilities. In particular, SSA is reaching out to Ticket to Work ticket holders who are trying to return to work, veterans with disabilities through programs such as the Wounded Warrior transitional program, and students with disabilities. Many individuals with disabilities will qualify for consideration under a special placement authority called "Schedule A." What is "Schedule A"? Schedule A is a non-competitive hiring authority available to Federal government agencies for hiring and promoting individuals with disabilities. By using Schedule A to fill a vacancy, an agency can avoid the traditional (and sometimes lengthy) competitive hiring process. That competitive hiring process can take three to nine months. Schedule A can trim that hiring process down to as little as 10 days. You are eligible for a Schedule A appointment if you have a severe physical or mental disability. You must be qualified for the job you seek (have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the required duties), demonstrate "proof of disability" and be "job ready." "Proof of disability" is a very simple statement from your doctor, your rehab professional or any agency which provides you with disability benefits. That statement does not have to provide details about your disability. About that statement, SSA says, "the simpler the better." A "job readiness" statement is based on your resume and references. It does not need to follow the "job readiness" guidelines you sometimes have to meet within an Employment Network or Vocational Rehab Center. Any of those people who have certified that you have a severe disability can also make a statement about your job readiness after reviewing your work history. If you are an SSI disability beneficiary or are a Ticket to Work holder, you automatically qualify for Schedule A. What is the Ticket to Work program? This is a voluntary employment program for individuals receiving Social Security and/or SSI disability benefits who are interested in working. Participants of this program can receive assistance from a service provider and also use a number of work incentives as they explore work options and still receive disability benefits. See the Ticket to Work fact sheet for additional information. Do disabled veterans receive special consideration when applying for Federal jobs? Yes, as a disabled veteran, you may qualify for a non-competitive appointment under the Veterans' Recruitment Appointment authority. If you have a disability rating of 30 percent or more, you may also be eligible for appointment under the 30 Percent Disabled Veterans appointment authority. If you compete for an appointment through the regular application process just as most non-disabled applicants must do, you may receive preference in the hiring process by submitting the service records and disability documentation outlined in the vacancy announcement. See the Veterans Hiring Authority fact sheet for additional information. Can college students apply for positions in Federal service? Yes, there are several student programs such as the Student Temporary Employment Program and the Student Career Experience Program. You can contact your school's disability services or career services coordinator for information about the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities. See the Student Programs fact sheet for additional information. What is SSA's Track Record as an Employer? SSA states that its mission is to process SSA claims quickly and accurately. Its diversity statement says it values an inclusive work force as a prerequisite for meeting customer needs. In 2008, CAREERS & the disABLED magazine ranked SSA as, "the best agency among the top 20 federal government agencies for whom people with disabilities would most like to work." Readers of CAREERS & the disABLED magazine said that Social Security is the agency they believe is most likely to provide a positive work environment for people with disabilities. Editors Note: If you are interested in applying for one of the SSA opportunities please make sure you submit the following information to: Selective.Placement.Applications@ssa.gov
Bookmark this article to: 
|
|
