Supervisory 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

The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and be eligible for telework as determined by agency policy. This is not a remote position. Offices for this position are located in Boston MA; New York NY; Dallas TX; Fort Wright KY; and Pasadena CA. For specific locations please see: DOL offices. 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.

Benefits Advisors respond to participant and beneficiary inquiries and complaints and provide technical assistance on the obligations of employers plan sponsors and service providers under ERISA COBRA ACA HIPAA MHPAEA etc. They resolve valid complaints through informal dispute resolution refer complaints to enforcement involving potential criminal activity or plan wide issues that cannot be resolved informally and serve as the focal point of the DOL liaison with the general public.

Major duties for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• Recommend allocation of resources to ensure compliance with program goals effectively guiding subordinate staff in achieving organizational objectives.
• Evaluate the performance of the regional office outreach program identifying areas for improvement recommending and implementing necessary changes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Promote effective working relationships among team members and across divisions by encouraging cross-training and collaboration on regional projects.
• Conduct outreach and educational presentations to a variety of groups effectively communicating complex benefits regulations in a manner that is easily understood by participants and stakeholders.
• Represent the agency in discussions with other federal state and local government officials articulating policy positions and clarifying technical aspects of EBSAs mission.
• Negotiate resolutions of problems between plan sponsors and employee benefit plans on behalf of plan participants using strong interpersonal skills to mediate and reach agreeable outcomes.
• Stay current on changes and trends in employee benefits laws and regulations integrating new knowledge into daily practices to enhance program delivery.
• Assess internal and external factors affecting the outreach and assistance program and make informed recommendations for program resource allocation and development.
• Provide technical advice to subordinates on complex issues related to pension and healthcare benefits by interpreting laws and regulations ensuring compliance and proper application.
• Analyze inquiries regarding sensitive issues related to benefits and develop comprehensive responses that reflect a thorough understanding of applicable regulations.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain and maintain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
• Requires a supervisory probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

Qualifications

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal Service.

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.

Qualifying specialized experience for this GS-14 position includes (applicants must meet three out of the five statements) :

• Experience in planning implementing and/or evaluating programs related to employee benefits compliance with federal regulations such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or related legislation.
• Experience providing complex technical advice and assistance to stakeholders including plan administrators employers and participants regarding the application and interpretation of employee benefits laws and regulations.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders including federal state and local agencies private industry representatives and the general public. This includes developing and conducting outreach initiatives educational programs and presentations that effectively inform and assist audiences on their rights and obligations under applicable benefit laws.
• Experience in supervising mentoring or leading teams in a professional environment including setting performance standards conducting evaluations and promoting professional development. This includes the ability to coordinate work assignments and manage resources to achieve program objectives effectively.
• Experience analyzing complex issues related to employee benefits identify potential violations and propose solutions through collaborative negotiation and conflict resolution.

There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience for this position at the GS-14 level.

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 Outside the bargaining unit.

You may not be aware but in the regulations for agency ethics programs there are requirements for supervisors. Section 2638.103 of Title 5 of the CFR states: Every supervisor in the executive branch has a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. It is imperative that supervisors serve as models of ethical behavior for subordinates. Supervisors have a responsibility to help ensure that subordinates are aware of their ethical obligations under the Standards of Conduct and that subordinates know how to contact agency ethics officials. Supervisors are also responsible for working with agency ethics officials to help resolve conflicts of interest and enforce government ethics laws and regulations including those requiring certain employees to file financial disclosure addition supervisors are responsible when requested for assisting agency ethics officials in evaluating potential conflicts of interest and identifying positions subject to financial disclosure requirements.

Supervisory Financial Disclosure: This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore if selected you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually.

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:

Manager