Senior Benefits Advisor

Summary

EBSA plays a vital role in protecting the retirement health and other job-based benefits of Americas workers retirees and their families. We issue effective regulations offer comprehensive education and assistance to workers plan sponsors fiduciaries and service providers and rigorously enforce the law. We serve workers families and the broader employee benefits community by protecting the security and integrity of the nations benefit systems.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Maintain accurate case and program data in agency systems; produce clear plain-language communications; leverage technology tools; and support team operations by assisting/mentoring junior advisors and helping the supervisor monitor unit performance.
• Provide technical information and guidance to participants beneficiaries plan administrators and other stakeholders on ERISA COBRA ACA HIPAA MHPAEA and related Department guidance; respond to inquiries and educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities.
• Resolve benefits disputes through informal dispute resolution securing benefit recoveries when appropriate; identify matters suggesting fiduciary violations or complex issues and prepare referrals to investigative staff.
• Conduct research and analysis by obtaining and reviewing plan documents employment and payroll records collective bargaining agreements financial/disclosure statements and claim files to assess eligibility interpret plan provisions and laws and prepare accurate written responses and recommendations.
• Plan and deliver outreach and education (in-person and remote) to the public and regulated community-including underserved populations-by organizing events coordinating logistics partnering with agencies/organizations and disseminating/updating outreach materials.

The advertised salary reflects the minimum and maximum pay for the listed locations. Upon selection the salary will be set in accordance with the selectees assigned duty location. Applicants may select up to two (2) duty locations. Please carefully consider and choose only the location(s) you can reliably and easily commute to on a regular recurring basis if selected. To view the address of a specific location click here.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• In some regions a drivers license may be required.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) to perform the duties of the position successfully and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Applicants must demonstrate 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal Service. You must meet 3 out of the 4 examples of specialized experience listed below. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as:

1. Providing technical guidance of Title I of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and related statutes (COBRA ACA HIPAA MHPAEA) by interpreting retirement plan provisions advising plan administrators participants and beneficiaries and resolving multifaceted regulatory and compliance issues;
2. Conducting comprehensive fact-finding by obtaining and analyzing retirement plan documents collective bargaining agreements employment and earning records financial and disclosure reports and insurance and medical claims to evaluate eligibility and entitlement develop evidence-based findings and prepare well-supported written analyses and recommendations;
3. Leading dispute resolution and negotiations with plan sponsors fiduciaries and service providers to secure voluntary compliance and recover employee benefits and identifying potential civil or criminal violations and preparing investigative referrals in accordance with agency procedures; and
4. Planning and executing strategic outreach and education (in person and remote) initiatives for diverse and underserved audiences by coordinating event logistics cultivating partnerships with Federal State and local and non-profit organizations delivering technical presentations and developing and disseminating educational materials to promote program awareness and compliance.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers improve working conditions expand high-quality employment opportunities and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

As a condition of employment all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities systems information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area the position will be included in the Local 12 AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington D.C. metropolitan area the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit.

For more information click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy.

Based on agency needs additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.

The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information.

The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicants criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agencys complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act such as law enforcement or national security positions.

All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

Senior IC