Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services • Washington, DC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Administration. The Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits) provides guidance and services related to federal retirement and employee benefits programs. Duties vary by grade level (GS-12 and GS-13) and include advising employees, retirees, supervisors, beneficiaries, and HR staff; preparing retirement estimates and processing retirement and insurance actions; monitoring cases for timely and accurate completion; interpreting applicable laws, regulations, and policies; and developing and delivering training and informational materials.

Requirements

• For GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including participation in developing and conducting federal benefits and retirement training; retirement eligibility determinations, annuity computations, and estimates; technical guidance interpreting retirement laws, regulations, and agency policies; counseling on disability retirement and continuation of FEHB and FEGLI coverage; and review of retirement and benefits cases for issue resolution and compliance.
• For GS-13: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including administering complex federal retirement and benefits programs; retirement determinations, computations, estimates, and actions; expert counseling on retirement and related benefits; senior technical advising and resolution of complex issues; coordination with OPM and other federal agencies; and technical leadership in case review, process improvement, operating guidance, or training.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Applicants must meet time-in-grade restrictions by the announcement closing date and all qualification requirements by that date.
• Appointment is subject to successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• A financial disclosure statement may be required.
• A probationary or trial period may be required.
• Applicants must document experience with specific duties, employment dates, and hours worked per week when applicable.
• Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be evaluated as equivalent to education from an accredited U.S. institution, or receive qualifying credit from an accredited U.S. institution.

Responsibilities

• Provide orientation and counseling on federal retirement and benefits programs, including FERS, CSRS, FEHB, FEGLI, FEDVIP, FSAFEDS, FLTCIP, TSP, and Social Security.
• Advise employees, retirees, supervisors, beneficiaries, and HR staff on retirement eligibility, benefit options, survivor benefits, military service credit, disability retirement, and complex retirement situations.
• Calculate annuity estimates, retirement estimates, and service credit deposits.
• Process retirement and insurance actions and monitor retirement cases to ensure accurate and timely processing and compliance with applicable timeframes.
• Resolve retirement and benefits discrepancies and coordinate with OPM, DFAS, insurance carriers, and other federal agencies.
• Interpret federal laws, regulations, OPM guidance, and agency policies governing retirement and benefits programs.
• Develop operating procedures, policy recommendations, and guidance; monitor legislative and regulatory changes and advise management of their effects on agency programs.
• Design and deliver new employee orientations, pre-retirement seminars, benefits training, and educational workshops; develop informational materials and train HR staff and other stakeholders.
• Review retirement and benefits cases to resolve issues and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• Advise HR specialists and supervisors on retirement options in relation to adverse actions for employees who qualify for retirement.
• Provide sensitive advice and counseling to family members following an employee's death.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Incentives may be authorized, subject to factors including funding availability; possible incentives include moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentives, student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, and creditable service for annual leave based on prior non-federal work or uniformed military service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed