United States Citizens Permanent Full Time
The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) works in partnership with the entire health care community to improve quality and efficiency in an evolving health care system and provides leadership in the broader health care marketplace.
CMS’ effectiveness depends on the capabilities of a dedicated, professional staff that is committed to supporting these objectives. A career with CMS offers the opportunity to get involved on important national health care issues and be part of a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly visible organization. For more information on CMS, please visit:http://www.cms.gov/.
**This position is located in the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Medicare (CM), Medicare Drug Benefit and C & D Data Group (MDBG), in the Division of Consumer Assessment and Plan Performance (DCAPP), in (Baltimore County), Woodlawn, Maryland. **
**WHO MAY APPLY:** This is a competitive vacancy, open to all United States Citizens or Nationals, advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.Click here for more information and definitions regarding applicants who may apply to this vacancy announcement.
Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement for similar positions within CMS in the same geographical location.
You must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply for this position You will be subject to a background and suitability investigation A one-year probationary period may be required upon appointment
Working in the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Medicare (CM), Medicare Drug Benefit and C & D Data Group (MDBG), in Division of Consumer Assessment and Plan Performance (DCAPP), you will serve as a Social Science Research Analyst who will develop and use survey, market research, and statistical methodologies and techniques in studies of beneficiaries and plans. Activities may include directing intramural and extramural analyses to understand beneficiary needs and preferences, optimal ways to provide services to beneficiaries, beneficiary satisfaction needs and preferences, optimal ways to provide services to beneficiaries, beneficiary satisfaction with services they receive, and quality and performance of health plans. **Specifically you will:**
* Develop and conduct statistical analyses of survey data;
* Conduct statistical analyses of the quality and performance of health plans;
* Plan, direct and monitor activities involved in conducting large-scale surveys;
* Coordinate analyses of operational policy and program operations;
* Represent the organization at briefings;
* Provide support and assistance to internal and external customers.
**ALL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ****Applicants must meet one of the Basic Requirements AND the Specialized Experience listed below.**
**_In order to qualify at the GS-13, you must meet the following:_** You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12grade level in the Federal Government to include, conducting evaluation and performance measurements of health plans or healthcare providers as they relate to improving services to beneficiaries; and developing surveys (e.g. questionnaire design, estimation, and field operations) of beneficiaries similar to the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys.
**AND**
**_Basic Requirements:_** **In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements described above, you must meet one of the items listed below (A, B, or C):**
A. Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
**OR******
B. Combination of education and experience which provided you with the knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
**OR******C. Four years of appropriate experience which demonstrates that you have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
**TRANSCRIPTS** are required to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement listed above. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, quarter and semester hours earned. Please see the **“REQUIRED DOCUMENTS”** section below for more information.
Click the following link to view the assessment questionnaire:View Assessment Questions
**_Foreign Education:_** If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, additional supporting documentation is required. For further information, click on foreign education
**_Conditions of Employment:_**
1. **Security and Background Requirements:** If not previously completed, a background security investigation _will be required for all selectees_. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
* Optional Form 306 – Declaration of Federal Employment – available athttp://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf. This form is **not required** to be submitted at the time of submitting your application. However, if selected, this form will be required prior to final job offer.
2. **E-Verify:** The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.Click here for more information.
3. **Selective Service:** Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the Selective Service. Click here for more information.
4. **Direct Deposit:** All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
**If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and Selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:**
* Best Qualified – for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
* Well Qualified – for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
* Qualified – for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the Best Qualified category (except for professional and scientific positions at the GS-9 level or higher).
**Your application will be evaluated based on your ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities/competencies:**
* Knowledge of Survey Research Methods and Statistical Data Analysis
* Analytical and Evaluative Methods
* Program Management
* Oral Communication
* Written Communication
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package (to include resume, occupational questionnaire, transcripts and other applicable supporting documents) must be received by 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 to receive consideration.
**To begin, click _Apply Online_ to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account**.
1. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the **_Submit My Answers_** button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account,https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the **_Application Status_** link and then select the _**more information**_ link for this position. The_ Details_ page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click _**Update Application**_ in the vacancy announcement. **_You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete._**
**If you complete the occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload transcripts or supporting document(s), you may fax the document**.
**To fax your documents, you must use the following cover pagehttp://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf and provide the required information. The Vacancy ID is1179538.
**Fax your supporting documents to 1(478)757-3144.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 1179538 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed. If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
** To complete the occupational questionnaire and submit complete application package via fax:**
**Click the following link to view and print the full occupational assessment questionnaireView Occupational Questionnaire;
**Click the following link to view and print the 1203FX form to provide your response to the assessment questionnairehttp://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf; and
**Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1(478)757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please send an email to theCMS HR Helpdesk (HRCenterHelpdesk@cms.hhs.gov). You may also contact the CMS HR Helpdesk at 1(888)423-2737 or (410)786-3936. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing should contact the CMS HR Helpdesk via 1(888)423-2737 using of your relay service provider (Video Relay Services or Teletype Services). The decision to grant reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
**_PLEASE NOTE:_** Submission of a resume alone **IS NOT** a complete application package. This position requires the completion of the assessment questionnaire, transcripts and submission of supplemental documents, as described under the **"Required Documents"** section of this announcement. Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the** "How to Apply"** instructions. Failure to provide the required information and/or documents will result in you not being considered for employment.
**_The following documents are required:_**
1. **Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional.** Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. **Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy or mm/yyyy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position(s).** Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). For resume and application tips visit:https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes.
2.** A complete Occupational Questionnaire.**
3. **College Transcripts.** Since this position requires specific education, you must submit a transcript attesting to your possession of the required education. You may submit an unofficial transcript or a list of college courses completed indicating course titles, credit hours, and grades received. An official transcript is required if you are selected for the position. If selected, you must provide an original document before the final job offer may be extended. If you do not submit a transcript indicating your possession of the required education, you will not be considered for this position.
**College Transcripts and Foreign Education:** Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Serviceswebsite. This list, which may not be all inclusive, is for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement of any specific agency.
If you are applying for a position for which a state license is issued (e.g., physician, engineer, attorney) possession of a valid and current U.S. professional license by a graduate of a foreign professional school or program is sufficient proof that the foreign education has been determined to be equivalent to the requisite U.S. professional education in that occupational field.
4. **Supporting Documents, if applicable (e.g., SF-50, DD-214, SF-15).** Supporting documents may be required in the vacancy announcement. Failure to provide appropriate documentation MAY result in a not qualified rating OR non-consideration.Click here for a detailed description of the required supporting documents. You will be required to submit official documentation prior to receiving a final offer. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (e.g., veterans' preference, disability).
**Contact Information: CMS HR Center Helpdesk**
Phone: 1(888)423-2737 or (410)786-3936
Email:HRCenterHelpdesk@cms.hhs.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday from 8:00AM ET to 5:00PM ET (excludes all federal holidays)
Within 15 business days of the closing date, Tuesday, September 16, 2014 you may check your status online atUSAJOBS. We will update your status after each key stage in the application process has been completed.
The federal government offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. For more information, check outOPM's Employee Benefits Information.
**Tour of Duty:** Flexible
**Recruitment Incentive:** Not Authorized
**Financial Disclosure:** Required
**Veterans’ Preference:** If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement (including dates of service and Character of Service) from your command if currently on active duty. If you are a disabled veteran, the widow/widower of a veteran, or the spouse of a disabled veteran claiming veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. For more information on veterans' preference seewww.fedshirevets.gov.
**The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)** provide eligible displaced federal employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated well qualified for this vacancy. Well qualified applicants excel in the evaluation criteria for the position. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website atwww.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
**Job Seekers with Disabilities**:Click here for more information.