HR SPEC (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS)

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION WITH NO MILITARY REQUIRMENT.

This National Guard position is for a HR SPEC (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), Position Description Number PDT5931000 and is part of the Mississippi National Guard.

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Duties

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As a HR SPEC (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), GS-0201-11, you will provide technical, procedural, and evaluative assistance in the area of employee benefits, performance management, and/or compensation for both Army and Air National Guard organizations. Performs work in one or more of human resources specialties. Accomplishes work through the use of an automated personnel system.

Provides technical guidance and procedural assistance to managers, supervisors, and employees in executing a variety of employee benefits' programs, which may include workers' compensation, health and life benefits, Thrift Savings Program (TSP), awards, performance management, retirement, etc. Develops and carries out specific projects to accomplish the technical support mission of the Human Resources Office. Advises supervisors and employees on regulatory requirements of the programs and develops instructions. Reviews and interprets policies, directives, and other issuances by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), National Guard (NGB), Department of Labor (DOL), and outside control agencies for applicability to activities serviced.

Assists in administering the retirement programs for technicians desiring to retire under any of the retirement systems. Processes retirement actions, which are moderately complex, non-controversial, and/or recurring cases related to both the Federal Employees Retirement System and the Civil Services Retirement Systems. Provides counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the complex retirement insurance benefits, entitlements/options. Interprets, applies, and explains to employees retirement and insurance laws, regulations, and policies. 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. Analyzes information to establish the length and type of creditable service e.g. service computation dates, and prepares annuity computations for employees. Researches regulations and records to advise employees on the buy back of creditable time for retirement. Determines the amount of retirement contributions, refunds of contributions, payments, and repayments needed for service credit to include military deposits, and whether all special requirements and conditions applicable to the type of case have been met; and whether the requirements for payment of a survivor annuity or lump sum are satisfied. Assists employees in the preparation of retirement applications and related documents. Provides technical guidance and assistance to management and employees on benefit programs such as Federal Employee Health Benefits, Federal Employees Group Life Insurance, Thrift Savings Program, Long Term Care Program, Mass Transportation Program, etc. Provides counseling to management, employees, and beneficiaries regarding program coverage, options, variances in coverage, and advantages and disadvantages of benefits. Conducts new employee orientations covering numerous aspects of the technician program. Serves as authority within the HRO for TSP, counsels and advises employees throughout their employment concerning participation in the plan. Advises employees on all facets of TSP, such as loan provisions, calculation of benefits and contributions, investment options and the pros and cons of each fund, withdrawal of contributions, transfer of fund contributions to qualified pension plans. Assists with the development of technical guidance and in the implementation of benefit program changes. Conducts open seasons for TSP, health benefits, and life insurance in the appropriate timeframe.

Provides technical guidance and procedural advice on flexibility's and appropriate uses of leave issues such as sick leave for family care and bereavement, compensatory, advanced leave, leave without pay, absence without leave, and military leave. Provides guidance on the use of the Family and Medical Leave Act and Voluntary Leave Transfer Program. Researches regulations, guidance, and laws to resolve leave issues. Interprets guidance and regulations to provide procedural advice to management and employees on pay schedule adjustments, severance pay, back pay, debts and compensation. Coordinates with United State Property and Fiscal Office and Defense Finance and Accounting Service on a large variety of personnel actions affecting employee's pay. Develops, modifies, and conducts presentation of basic and/or refresher training in employee benefits and compensation procedures such as injury compensation, incentive awards, retirement, TSP, etc. Serves in the absence of the higher graded specialist.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:

1. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.

2. May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; over/comp time may be required

3. Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.

4. May require travel in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.

5. This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.

6. The work may require the incumbent to drive a motor vehicle; if so, and an appropriate valid driver's license is mandatory

7. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

8. For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE :

The applicant must have competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors) that include military and civilian experiences, completed education, learned skills, obtained knowledge, endorsed abilities, and training program accomplishments. The following seven basic qualification competency factors are applicable to the Series GS-0201 career levels:

• Skilled in collecting and analyzing data effectively, efficiently, and accurately;
• Ability to clearly enunciate English without impediment of speech that would interfere or prohibit efficient communication;
• Ability to write English in reports and presentation formats;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively;
• Skilled in presenting formal training presentations and briefings;
• Ability to assess body language and perceive emotional and/or distress levels; and,
• Skilled in applying procedures and directives by reading and interpreting program material.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Must have at least one year specialized experiences at the GS-09 level or the equivalent which provided a working knowledge of National Guard missions, organizations, and federal civilian or military personnel programs. Must have experiences in executing personnel programs and Human Resources Information Systems, as applicable to the specific position and its position description. Must have knowledge and understanding of the personnel and manpower core competencies: Organization Structure; Requirements Determination; Program Allocation and Control; and, Performance Improvement. Have a working knowledge of organizational structures; manpower standards; manpower resources; manpower data systems; or, commercial services to include strategic sourcing. Experienced in performing personnel program requirements that involve advising supervisors and managers with retirement options, . Competent in discussing the equal opportunity and sexual assault prevention and response programs. Have experiences in career counseling; completing or editing performance evaluations; and, conducting educational and skill development personnel course programs. Competent in merit principles, personnel plans, programs, and policies to guide or advise others on their implementation activities. Skilled in applying program policies, directives, publications, and training manuals. Experienced in performance management and productivity programs; or, advising on process improvement, best practices, and performance techniques.

If your resume does not include a narrative description of how you meet the GENERAL, SPECIALIZED experiences, and OTHER requirements, you may lose consideration for this position. Ensure that the Questionnaire is completed online in Application Manager.

NOTES TO CANDIDATES:

a. Include any volunteer work experience in your resume. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

b. Final selection will be based upon qualifications, suitability, and available manpower resources.

c. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

d. Multiple vacancies may be filled from this announcement.

e. If this announcement results in a temporary promotion for the selectee, it may become permanent at any time without further competition dependent on funding and manpower requirements.

Education

Although there is no substitution of education, a high school diploma or general education development (GED) diploma is required. An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is desired. A graduate degree from an accredited civilian academic college or from an equivalent professional military education school is optimum.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (

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.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.