Benefits Specialist

Bonneville Power Administration • Portland, OR

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a developmental Benefits Specialist position within Benefits & HR Help, BPA Human Resources Service Center, Bonneville Power Administration, Department of Energy. The position supports employees through career and retirement milestones by providing guidance on federal benefits and resolving cases that affect employees’ financial security, healthcare, and retirement readiness. It has non-competitive promotion potential to the full-performance level of GS-12 and provides structured mentorship, technical training, and hands-on experience.

Under the guidance of senior specialists, the employee develops expertise in federal retirement systems, health and life insurance, and savings plans. The role includes advising employees and supervisors, researching complex benefits cases, auditing service records, preparing retirement estimates and annuity calculations, and helping employees and families navigate career transitions. The employee also contributes to HR process improvements, interprets federal employment laws and regulations, creates benefits education and outreach materials, and participates in cross-functional agency initiatives. A quality-assurance and developmental program provides regular coaching, feedback, and skills validation.

Requirements

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must report in person to the official duty location.
• Applicants must meet the qualifications for the applicable grade level by the announcement closing date.
• For GS-09 qualification through experience: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including providing procedural benefits guidance; reviewing, auditing, and processing benefit election forms and employment history records; and researching policies and performing basic calculations to resolve routine benefit inquiries.
• For GS-09, qualifying education may substitute for experience: a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B. or J.D. A qualifying combination of education and experience may also be used.
• For GS-11 qualification through experience: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, including advising management and employees on retirement and insurance programs; researching and analyzing benefit cases; and preparing formal correspondence or supporting documentation concerning benefit eligibility, entitlement, and participation.
• For GS-11, qualifying education may substitute for experience: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M. A qualifying combination of education and experience may also be used.
• Education used to qualify must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education must be evaluated by a recognized organization.
• Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Males must comply with Selective Service registration requirements.
• Applicants must answer eligibility and qualification questions completely and truthfully.
• Applicants substituting education for experience must submit proof of qualifying education.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to employees and supervisors on federal retirement, health insurance, life insurance, and savings programs.
• Research and analyze complex benefits cases, including medical disability retirements, legal court orders, and historical service adjustments.
• Review and audit service records and calculate retirement estimates and annuities.
• Identify administrative bottlenecks and recommend improvements to HR operations and customer service.
• Analyze and interpret federal employment laws, human capital directives, and government-wide regulations, and help align internal procedures with agency priorities.
• Develop and deliver benefits workshops, digital reference guides, and webinars.
• Participate in agency-wide working groups, HR seminars, and interdisciplinary task forces.
• Participate in quality assurance and developmental activities, receiving coaching and validating skills while progressing toward independent work.

Benefits

• Hiring incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, subject to budget availability and federal regulations.
• Work/life balance programs and policies designed to support commitments to community, home, and family.
• Be Well wellness program supporting career, community, financial, physical, and social well-being.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level