Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America's frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As a Lead Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits), you will provide support, guidance, and leadership to a team of specialists performing the full range of benefit and retirement program issues.
The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 11/14/2025. Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 11/14/2025. GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties: Maintains reference materials, project files, written instructions, and maintains current knowledge to answer questions; Researches, learns, and applies a wide range of methods for improving team effectiveness; Communicates assignments, problems, issues, time frames etc., to the team; Provides oral and written advice and assistance to managers and operating officials on the interpretations and application of policy, procedures, and other related laws and regulations. Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 11/14/2025. Your resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since Human Resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Duties (be specific in describing your duties) Employer's name and address Supervisor name and phone number Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008) Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Salary Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible. Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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 criteria 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 service.
Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, within the Human Resources Operations Center and are assigned based on the need of the agency.
Provides advice, assistance, and guidance to supervisors, managers, and employees on complex and sensitive benefits and retirement issues.
Conducts studies to develop responses to management on the new requirements in program operations, legislation, or agency regulations.
Analyzes and resolves particularly complex and sensitive problems and issues, including those involving conflicting laws or other requirements where decisions and case strategy guidance may have impact throughout the agency.
Interprets and explains policies, procedures, and retirement law to current employees in addition to preparing written correspondence and developing other communication tools to provide information to retirement system members.
Leads team members on special assignments/projects or comprehensive studies. Provides technical guidance and training to lower-grade specialists and assistants.