HR Specialist (Employee Benefits)

• Administers federal employee benefits, to include: Federal Employee Health Benefits, Federal Employee Group Life Insurance, death benefits and processing personnel actions. Demonstrates tact in dealing with employees.
• Administers federal employee retirement processes, to include: Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension, Federal Employees Retirement System(FERS) pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) participation.
• Advises and counsels individual employees on all aspects of retirement benefits and coverage under CSRS and FERS. Assists employees in completing retirement applications ensuring all documentation is accurate and submitted within required deadlines.
• Interprets and applies current regulations, policies and procedures to advise employees and managers regarding retirement programs.
• Reviews Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50s) and is responsible for their accuracy.
• Processing personnel actions including appointments, reassignments, promotions, transfers and separations.
• Codes and inputs data into automated personnel/payroll systems. Reviews Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50s) and is responsible for their accuracy.
• Provides advisory services to management and supervisors on benefits problems. Coordinates with National Finance Center, when necessary, to resolve problems.
• Distributes health benefits brochures and enrollment forms to employees and managers. Prepares all necessary correspondence, documentation, reports, and similar program administrative materials.
• Serves as liaison between the Gallery and Government Retirement & Benefits self-service platform to assist employees with their retirement applications.
• Serves as liaison between the Gallery and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to resolve eligibility and other operational problems.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement

Qualifications

Specialized Experience

GS-09 only: For this position, specialized experience is at least one year of experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-07 level in the federal service:

• Assisting with processing various personnel actions;
• Applying, basic employee benefit regulations and policies; and
• Assisting with managing employee benefits in a federal agency.

OR

EDUCATION: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit copies of your unofficial college transcripts if using education to qualify.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Less than the full amount of specialized experience described in the job opportunity announcement; however, have at least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education, but have not obtained a master's or equivalent graduate degree. Therefore, have a combination of experience and education. Note: You must submit a copy of unofficial transcripts if using education to qualify. 

GS-11 only: For this position, specialized experience is at least one year of experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-09 level in the federal service:

• Processing and coding a wide range of personnel actions;
• Applying, basic federal employee benefit regulations and policies; and
• Managing employee benefits in a federal agency to include retirement, health insurance, life insurance, and death benefits.

OR

EDUCATION: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, major areas of study such as Human Resources, Organizational Management, Organizational Development, Program Management, or related field of study. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts if using education to qualify. 

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Have less than the full amount of specialized experience required but have more than 2 years of graduate level education with a major or subject area related to the position to be filled. Therefore, have a combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts if using education to qualify.