This position is located in the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), Human Resources Directorate (HRD), Benefits and Work­Life Division (BWD). BWD is responsible for serving as a focal point to provide employee benefit and work-life services to specified organizations
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: Time in Grade: For entry at the GS-09 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-07 or higher grade in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to: Advise employees and managers on federal benefits programs, including CSRS, FERS, TSP, FEHB, and FEGLI, by explaining eligibility requirements, coverage options, and associated procedures. Experience assisting senior HR specialists in managing open season events, processing benefits transactions, and maintaining relationships with external agencies such as DFAS and OPM. Responds to routine benefits inquiries and provides information on work-life programs like Employee Assistance and Telework. You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: Time in Grade: For entry at the GS-11 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-09 or higher grade in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to: Provide comprehensive advice and guidance to a diverse workforce on complex federal benefits programs such as CSRS, FERS, TSP, FEHB, and FEGLI, addressing eligibility, coverage, and the impact of employment changes. Experience independently managing aspects of open season events, ensuring timely processing of benefits transactions, and implementing new procedures from the Thrift Savings Board. Experience developing and delivering briefings on benefits-related topics and providing guidance on work-life programs. You may qualify at the GS-12 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: Time in Grade: For entry at the GS-12 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to: Provide strategic advisory services to management on a wide range of complex federal benefits programs, including CSRS, FERS, TSP, FEHB, and FEGLI, for a diverse workforce, including high-level officials. Experience developing and implementing benefits-related policies and procedures, analyzing the impact of new regulations, and representing the HR division on benefit-related workgroups. Experience providing in-depth alternatives to management with impact analysis to find HR solutions and proactively resolving complex and sensitive benefits issues and providing advice on work-life programs. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave. Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.
Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Serves as a HR Benefits Specialist in a planning and advisory role to managers, supervisors and employees in customer organizations in employee benefits and related issues. Reviews and prepares program publicity and or local instruction implementing the overall program or special portions of assigned program. Provides advisory services for open-season benefits including Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and associated programs, TSP and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), when applicable. Assists other senior specialists, in a variety of HR matters related to employee benefits including but not limited to the following: Ensures employees receive retirement related CSRS or FERS annuity computations and other advice on programs. Utilizes a wide range of HR practices, laws, regulations, policies, and precedents sufficient to provide expert HR management advisory and technical services on complex and wide-impacting customer functions and work practices. Responds to complex benefits questions, provides information necessary to help employees obtain maximum gains from available benefits.