Pathways Recent Graduate Claims and Program Representative
What you'd do
This position is located in the Railroad Retirement Board's Field Service. The incumbent will be responsible for providing a full-range of client services regarding benefits available under the various programs administered by the RRB. This job announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies. This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by the Council of AFGE Locals in the Board.
Major duties
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 applicant's 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 $52,059-$82,787 Albuquerque, NM $51,007-$ 81,114 Baltimore, MD $57,736-$91,815 Billings, MT $50,460-$80,243 Boston, MA $57,150-$90,882 Buffalo, NY $52,766-$83,911 Charlotte, NC $51,585-$82,033 Des Moines, IA $50,869-$80,895 Detroit, MI $55,685-$88,510 Duluth, MN $50,460-$80,243 Harrisburg, PA $51,481-$81,686 Kansas City, MO $51,283-$81,553 Louisville, KY $50,460-$80,243 Milwaukee, WI $52,770-$83,918 Pittsburgh, PA $52,171-$82,965 Richmond, VA $52,710-$83,822 Salt Lake City, UT $50,460-$80,243 Seattle, WA $56,715-$90,190 Wichita, KS $50,460-$80,243
What you need to qualify
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 bachelor's 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. Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's 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 veteran's 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 experience. In 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.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.