Actuary

Summary

As an Actuary with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management,Healthcare and Insurance, Office of the Actuaries, you will perform actuarial research and analysis supporting Federal retirement, health, and life insurance programs. You will analyze program data, develop actuarial valuation inputs, evaluate premiums, conduct policy-related studies, and provide recommendations that support benefit program funding, oversight, and policy decisions.

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Duties

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• Conduct actuarial analyses and develop valuation inputs for Federal retirement, health, life insurance, and other employee benefit programs.
• Gather, validate, and analyze program experience, demographic, and financial data to support actuarial studies and projections.
• Evaluate carrier premium proposals, participate in premium negotiations, and recommend premium rate adjustments.
• Conduct actuarial research and provide analyses that support policy development for Federal benefits programs.
• Develop actuarial models, tools, methodologies, and documentation to support program analysis and reporting requirements.
• Prepare technical reports and communicate actuarial findings, recommendations, and program impacts to stakeholders.
• Review and provide guidance on the work of junior staff and support collaborative actuarial projects.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• 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 probationary period
• Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
• You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
• This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. The union that represents employees in this position is the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 32.

Qualifications

Basic Education Requirement GS 11 Grade level:

Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science AND A bachelor's degree that included courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science totaling at least 24 semester hours. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION).

OR

Combination of education and experience that includes both of the following requirements: One year (52 weeks) of professional actuarial experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level AND successful and a bachelor's degree that included courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science totaling at least 24 semester hours. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites.(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION).

OR

Special Alternative Means of Qualifying for Basic Education at the GS-11:

A combination of education and experience that includes both of the following requirements: One year (52 weeks) of professional actuarial experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level AND successful completion of three of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) examinations, or credit for three of the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (JBEA) examinations;

AND

A minimum of 24 semester hours of courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science at a four year college or university. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites.(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION).

Basic Education Requirement GS 12 Grade level:

A combination of education and experience that includes both of the following requirements: One year (52 weeks) of professional actuarial experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level AND A Bachelor's or higher degree that included courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science totaling at least 24 semester hours. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION).

OR

Special Alternative Means of Qualifying for Basic Education at the GS-12:

Possess one year (52 weeks) of professional actuarial experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level AND successful completion of four of Society of Actuaries (SOA) or Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) examinations, or credit for three of the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (JBEA) examinations.

AND

A minimum of 24 semester hours of courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science at a four year college or university. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites.(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION).

In addition to the basic requirement listed above applicants must meet the specialized experience listed below to be considered minimally qualified:

For the GS-11 Grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service (or equivalent) performing ALL of the following:

• Preparing written reports, summaries, technical documentation, or presentations that communicate analytical findings, methodologies, or recommendations to management, customers, or stakeholders; AND
• Using spreadsheets, databases, statistical software, programming tools, or modeling applications to develop analyses, maintain models, or produce quantitative reports; AND
• Applying actuarial, statistical, mathematical, financial, or data analysis methods to evaluate program trends, costs, risks, liabilities, premiums, or other quantitative measures; AND
• Collecting, validating, analyzing, and interpreting demographic, financial, insurance, benefits, or other quantitative data to support actuarial studies, forecasts, valuations, or program assessments.

For the GS-12 Grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service (or equivalent) performing ALL of the following:

• Developing, maintaining, or applying actuarial models, spreadsheets, databases, or analytical tools to support projections, valuations, forecasts, or policy analyses; AND
• Conducting actuarial analyses using statistical, financial, demographic, or program data to evaluate benefits, insurance, retirement, or similar programs; AND
• Researching and analyzing actuarial, financial, or program issues and preparing reports, recommendations, or supporting documentation for management or stakeholders; AND
• Reviewing, interpreting, and applying actuarial principles, standards, regulations, or program requirements to support program administration, funding, pricing, or policy decisions.

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.

Education

This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement.

Additional information

This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/raking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit:

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.

If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

- your performance and conduct;

- the needs and interests of the agency;

- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.