Human Resource Specialist (Employee Benefits)

US Army Civilian Human Resources Agency•Fort Leavenworth, KS

About The Position

This position is with the Army Benefits Center-Civilian. The Human Resource Specialist serves as a senior technical expert and shift leader in a consolidated benefits center, advising the workforce on federal benefits and entitlement laws and regulatory requirements. The role executes requirements for the serviced Command in cases involving retirement plan determinations, Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) matters, disability retirement, estimates, civilian death-in-service actions, and Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) eligibility. The specialist applies in-depth knowledge of federal benefits, entitlements, and retirement programs to implement policies and provisions established by the Office of Personnel Management and/or the Department of Defense. The role provides advice and guidance on highly difficult cases involving questionable requests, documents, or evidence, including justification and advice about benefit entitlement. It also provides oversight of settlement agreements and Equal Employment Opportunity and Merit Systems Protection Board cases, advising employees, command representatives, and/or legal officials. The specialist assists management and employees with actions involving Federal Employees Health Benefits, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, the Thrift Savings Plan, military deposits, civilian redeposits, and retirements. The position reviews difficult special retirement coverage cases for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and air traffic controllers, including extensive reviews of employee service histories and complicated agreements.

Requirements

One year of specialized experience analyzing and/or resolving complex federal HR benefits cases, such as retirement, disability retirement, SRC retirement, death notifications, and personnel issues.
Experience using automated systems such as Government Retirement Benefits (GRB), Benefits Automated Tracking System (BATS), and Centralized Enrollment Clearinghouse (CLER) for benefits work.
Experience developing reports, standard operating procedures, recommendations, or technical guidance in support of health benefits, retirement, or survivor benefits.
Experience supporting projects by coordinating documentation, process-improvement reviews, efficiency and business-practice improvements, and external customer partnerships.
Applicants who have held a General Schedule position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).
Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination based on a completed background investigation.
Direct deposit of pay is required.
Applicants must meet one or more of the listed employment authority categories and provide documents proving eligibility.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior technical expert and shift leader in a consolidated benefits center.
Advise the workforce on federal benefits and entitlement legal and regulatory requirements.
Execute requirements for the serviced Command involving retirement plan determinations, NAF matters, disability retirement, estimates, civilian death-in-service actions, and SRC eligibility.
Apply federal benefits and retirement-program expertise to implement policies and provisions defined by the Office of Personnel Management and/or the Department of Defense.
Provide advice and guidance on highly difficult cases involving questionable requests, documents, or evidence, and explain why benefits are or are not entitled.
Provide oversight of settlement agreements, Equal Employment Opportunity cases, and Merit Systems Protection Board cases; advise employees, command representatives, and/or legal officials.
Assist management and employees in completing actions for Federal Employees Health Benefits, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, the Thrift Savings Plan, military deposits, civilian redeposits, and retirements.
Review difficult special retirement coverage cases for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and air traffic controllers, including extensive review of service histories and complicated agreements.