HR SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS/COMPENSATION)

Job Title

This position is located in the JFHQ-State Human Resources Office (HRO). The purpose of this position is to perform employee benefit and retirement advisory services to both Army (ARNG) and Air National Guard (ANG) organizations and the full-time workforce within the state. Trains and provides technical assistance to lower graded specialists.

Advises and counsels management, employees, annuitants, and family members of deceased employees by interpreting, applying, and explaining retirement and insurance laws, regulations, and policies on available retirement insurance benefits, death benefits, entitlements/options. Researches and interprets appropriate regulations to provide advice to employees concerning reinstatement of insurance, conversion of life insurance and features of the programs and options associated with retirement. Assist employees in the preparation of retirement applications and related documents and forwards to the Army Benefits Center Civilian (ABC-C). Determines type of separation and completion of eOPF maintenance for documents. Maintains a current knowledge of legislative development, agency reorganizations and other pertinent activities that may have an impact on management and employees. Provides technical guidance and assistance in the development and implementation of benefit program changes and open seasons. Determines entitlement to retirement annuities, eligibility for continuation of life and health insurance. Provides technical advice to personnel on a variety of programs such as health and life insurance and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Provides initial overview to new employees on the benefit programs available to them.

Provides technical advice to personnel on programs such as the Mass Transit, Reasonable Accommodations (RA), Telework, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act, military, or civilian deposits for CSRS/FERS, disability benefits, Light Duty Program, and Workers Compensation Program. Develop and process termination memorandums. Compose termination memorandums (30-day notice) in compliance with formats contained in the correspondence regulation for non-retention, mandatory removal date (MRD), mandatory separation date (MSD), medical disqualification, age 60, etc. Monitors and ensures the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) program is properly publicized and supervisors are provided the appropriate guidelines for use of the program. In coordination with the NGB J1-Functional Manager ensures prompt submission of claims and medical documents. Works with Department of Labor (DOL), Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS), to ensure only legitimate claims are submitted.

Provides technical advice on flexibilities and appropriate use of leave issues such as Sick Leave for Family Care and Bereavement, Disabled Veterans Leave, Advanced Leave, Compensatory Time, Leave Without Pay, Absence Without Leave, Presidential Leave, Court Leave, and Military Leave. Provides technical advice on the use of the Family and Medical Leave Act, Paid Parental Leave, and Voluntary Leave Transfer Program. Interprets guidance and regulations to provide advice to management and employees on pay schedule adjustments, severance pay, back pay, debts, and compensation. Process donated leave requests within the State. Use automated system to effectively process personnel actions in accordance with the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions and local personnel systems checklists as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.