Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)As a Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits) at the GS-0201-13 level, the incumbent will be part of the Office of Human Resources, Office of the Managing Director, Federal Maritime Commission. The incumbent is responsible for administering the employee benefits program, which includes retirement, health insurance, life insurance, thrift savings plans, and Workers' Compensation Program. As an HR Specialist (Employee Benefits), if selected, you will:Develops and conducts new employee orientation and participates in onboarding. Ensures that new employees are appropriately entered on the agency rolls, counseled, and that all necessary actions related to benefits, obtaining information from prior Federal employment, employee rights and responsibilities, pay, etc. have been completed. Ensures proper completion of forms and follow up on due dates.Provides customized expert counseling and guidance to all levels of employees on matters of a highly sensitive/serious nature, relating to the areas of retirement, which can include retirement (CSRS/FERS), health, life, and long-term care insurance, thrift savings plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, death and survivor benefits, debt and overpayments, Work Life, workers' compensation, telework, and leave administration, as well as the use of the Employee Personal Page (EPP) self-servicing system.Counsels employees concerning service credit payments and post-1956 military service deposits. Assists employees with applications for retirement and verifies credibility of service. Provides employees and survivors of deceased employees estimates of expected benefits.Assists managers in making proper referrals to external resources for employees with highly personal and/or controversial problems, e.g., contested disability retirements.Identifies appropriate sources of training for FMC employees in the areas of benefits, retirement, and financial literacy. Arranges and/or conducts training to be presented to employees and develops metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.Provides advice on benefits procedures, forms, eligibility requirements, and coverage. Computes benefits and processes actions to completion, advising appropriate agency staff of pending actions.Coordinates open seasons and enrollment periods for benefits and prepares and distributes guidance and relevant materials. Organizes the annual FMC Employee Benefits Fair held during open season.Prepares retirement estimates utilizing an automated retirement system (such as FedHR Navigator); prepares retirement packages, ensuring accuracy/completeness, and submits to NFC for processing.Prepares the FMC's Annual Employee Financial Education Plan for submission to OPM. Identifies strategies to help the Commission improve employee financial literacy and retirement readiness.