Pathways Recent Graduate Claims and Program Representative

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 Pathways Recent Graduate 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 applicants 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.

Cut-Off Dates to receive applications will be used for this announcement.

First Cut-Off Date: August 5 2026
Closing Date: August 26 2026

Starting Salary:
Albany NY $52059-$82787
Albuquerque NM $51007-$ 81114
Baltimore MD $57736-$91815
Billings MT $50460-$80243
Boston MA $57150-$90882
Buffalo NY $52766-$83911
Charlotte NC $51585-$82033
Des Moines IA $50869-$80895
Detroit MI $55685-$88510
Duluth MN $50460-$80243
Harrisburg PA $51481-$81686
Kansas City MO $51283-$81553
Louisville KY $50460-$80243
Milwaukee WI $52770-$83918
Pittsburgh PA $52171-$82965
Richmond VA $52710-$83822
Salt Lake City UT $50460-$80243
Seattle WA $56715-$90190
Wichita KS $50460-$80243

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment if required

Cut-Off Dates to receive applications will be used for this announcement.
First Cut-Off Date: August 5 2026
Closing Date: August 26 2026
Initial cut-off date will be used to begin applicant consideration. Applications received after the cut-off date will only be considered if needed.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-07:

A. Superior Academic Achievement: Completion of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelors degree in a field of study that demonstrates the competencies required by this position with either (1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; (2) a 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in a qualifying major field of study at either the time of application or during the last two years of your undergraduate curriculum; (3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college university or a major subdivision of the college; or (4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies excluding freshman honor societies; If applying under this provision copies of transcripts (from each school attended) for undergraduate courses must be submitted with your application and originals must be provided prior to entering on duty.; OR

B. One full year of graduate level education in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in any field; OR

C. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service that has (a) provided skill in conducting personal telephone contacts with a wide range of individuals which demonstrated (1) the ability to explain complex technical or regulatory information (2) the ability to conduct interviews in a way that establishes good relations while obtaining or providing relevant information and (3) the ability to recognize and overcome attitudes or emotions that hinder effective communications or (b) technical investigative professional or quasi-legal work providing a good working knowledge of laws regulations and procedures governing appropriate programs.; OR

D. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

Minimum Qualifications for GS-09:

A. One year of specialized experience at the GS-07 level that includes interviewing applicants for benefits and guiding them through the claims-taking process including reviewing evidence determining eligibility and/or adjudication for federal state or local administered benefits such as: disability unemployment sickness survivor retirement Medicare education housing medical and/or veterans benefits.; OR

B. Masters or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a masters degree from an accredited college or university. This course work must be in a discipline related to this position in one of the following: General Psychology (MGP) Sociology (MAS) Social Science (MSS) Education (Med) Social Work (MSW) Communications (MAC or MSC) English (MAE) and Leadership (MSL); OR

C. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

Ability to read and fluently speak Spanish is desirable but this information will not be used in ranking candidates.

In addition to the above you must have within the previous 2 years* completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associates bachelors masters professional doctorate vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution. Education requirements must be met by 8/31/2026.

*Veterans who due to a military service obligation were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2 year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veterans eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

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.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

THE POSITION(S) WILL BE FILLED AT THE GRADE GS-07 and GS-09 LEVELS ONLY. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE(S) MAY ATTEND A TWO-TO-THREE-WEEK FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN CHICAGO ILLINOIS.

Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of addition to describing duties performed applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.