Human Resource Specialist Employee Benefits

Summary This position is located in the Benefits and Retirement Branch (BRB), Human Resources Operations Division (HROD), Office of Human Resources and Professional Development (HRPD), which is responsible for administering the employee benefits programs such as health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance, long term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), flexible spending account program, federal leave program, length of service award, and new employee orientation on federal benefits. Duties Researching questions about employee benefits policies and regulations using 5 CFR, OPM and DOJ guidance and consultations with the branch chief and/or senior specialist to prepare final responses and analyze issues, problems and questions from employees and management. Works with the PPOB Time and Attendance Coordinators and the Branch's leave administrator to provide employees with guidance and to resolve issues related to Leave without Pay and the impact on employee's benefits. This also includes preparing notices for issuance to the TSP Service Office, advising employees of their insurance options and monitoring their return-to-work status. Provides authoritative advice and recommendations concerning these programs for employees. Advising employees who have military service about the process for crediting their military service toward their civilian service, leave accrual calculation and future retirement eligibility and benefits. Prepares military service deposit calculations where Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) rules must be applied to conform to the law. Serves as a specialist with responsibilities for managing federal health benefits, federal life insurance (TSP), flexible spending account program, unemployment compensation, military service deposit, federal length of service awards, employee suggestions, and new employee orientation on federal benefits programs and as such, must have thorough familiarity with these programs and their policies and associated procedures. Analyzes the impact of legislative changes, precedent court decisions, pending initiatives, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issuances, and other materials affecting, or potentially affecting employee benefits. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. Requirements Must be U.S. Citizen or National. Selective Service registration is required for males born on or after December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation. You must meet all applicable time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing of this announcement. Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines. Mobility Plan New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process. This is a non‑bargaining unit position. Qualifications To qualify for the Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits) position at GS‑11/12, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Minimum Qualifications (GS‑11) To qualify for this position at the GS‑11 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑9) by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized Experience (GS‑11) Assist in researching and assembling precedent-setting decisions, reporting findings and making recommendations for operational improvements affecting employee benefits, preparing standard operating procedures and preparing documents and other types of correspondence. Participate in meetings with employees, managers, external agency officials and other individuals regarding various issues pertaining to employee benefits and to communicate program requirements, processes and procedures. Know the automated personnel and payroll systems (HR Connect, NFC, FHR Navigator, eOPF) to retrieve employment and benefits enrollment data, make inquiries, input documents and calculate service computation dates, retirement annuity benefits and military service deposit. Understand the laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the various retirement systems (CSRS, FERS, LEO), TSP, Social Security system, Medicare, health and life insurance programs, length of service award and retirement recognition to answer routine questions from employees, assist them with their concerns and problems and refer them to other resources, i.e., BRB senior specialists, and TSP, FSA, BENEFEDS, Social Security. Understand the mission and functions of the Bureau and its organizational structure and of common occupations within the Bureau to verify retirement system coverage (law enforcement officer versus non‑law enforcement officer), special pay entitlement and for the coordination of providing employee recognition. Specialized Experience (GS‑12) Independently research and assemble precedent-setting decisions, report findings and make recommendations for operational improvements affecting employee benefits, preparing standard operating procedures and preparing documents and other types of correspondence. Participate in meetings with employees, managers, external agency officials and other individuals regarding various issues pertaining to employee benefits and to communicate program requirements, processes and procedures. Know the automated personnel and payroll systems (HR Connect, NFC, FHR Navigator, eOPF) to retrieve employment and benefits enrollment data, make inquiries, input documents and calculate service computation dates, retirement annuity benefits and military service deposit. Understand the laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the various retirement systems (CSRS, FERS, LEO), TSP, Social Security system, Medicare, health and life insurance programs, length of service award and retirement recognition to answer routine questions from employees, assist them with their concerns and problems and refer them to other resources, i.e., BRB senior specialists, and TSP, FSA, BENEFEDS, Social Security. Understand the mission and functions of the Bureau and its organizational structure and of common occupations within the Bureau to verify retirement system coverage (law enforcement officer versus non‑law enforcement officer), special pay entitlement and for the coordination of providing employee recognition. Manage federal health benefits, federal life insurance, TSP, flexible spending account program, military service deposit, length of service awards, and new employee orientation; must have thorough familiarity with these programs and their policies and associated procedures. Education Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted. EEO Statement The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non‑merit factor. Reasonable Accommodation ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648‑8760 or send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case‑by‑case basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr