Summary
Join a mission-driven agency that helps millions of Americans save for retirement. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) is seeking a talented and motivated professional to serve in the role of Benefits Specialist.
This announcement may also be used to fill additional Benefits Specialist, GS-0301-13, positions at FRTIB in the same location, requiring similar qualifications and experience.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens
Duties
- Serves as a subject matter expert for assigned retirement benefits areas and supports the overall retirement benefits defined contribution program.
- Oversees and monitors TSP vendor performance for accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with program objectives, policies, and guidelines.
- Identifies and resolves complex retirement benefits program problems, including issues related to legislative initiatives and administrative decisions, and provides guidance to the TSP participant population.
- Designs, prepares, and implements broad studies to evaluate policies and best practices used in other defined contribution plans.
- Develops written guidance on proposed changes to benefit policies and oversight procedures.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
- Make sure your application is complete. All required qualifications must be met by no later than 09/18/2026. Your application will not be reviewed if any required documents listed under the "Required Documents" section are missing.
- You may need to complete a one-year probationary period if you're selected.
- Selective Service Registration is required for male applicants born after December 31, 1959, unless exempt under federal law. You'll need to certify your registration status if selected.
- A background check is required. Your continued employment depends on successfully completing a background investigation and receiving a federal suitability or security clearance. You may receive a tentative job offer while the investigation is underway.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements listed below. Some positions may also require a basic qualification, such as a specific degree or certification. If applicable, that requirement will be listed below as well.
Specialized Experience
GS-13: You must have at least one year of full-time specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level (or equivalent) that shows you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to do the work. Examples of specialized experience include:
- Administering retirement benefits or retirement savings programs by interpreting policies, regulations, or plan provisions to resolve participant, customer, or stakeholder issues.
- Evaluating the operational effectiveness of an assigned benefits program, service delivery function, or external service provider (including contractors and vendors) by analyzing performance data against established or self-developed performance measures, in order to identify deficiencies, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions or program improvements to management.
- Analyzing program, operational, or benefits-related issues to develop recommendations that improved service delivery, policy implementation, or program effectiveness.
- Developing policies, procedures, guidance, reports, or recommendations to communicate program requirements and support organizational decision-making.
What Counts as Experience
We consider both paid and unpaid experience, including but not limited to volunteer work with organizations like the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or other community groups. Volunteer work can help you develop skills that are directly relevant to this job.
A full year of work means working 35-40 hours per week. If you worked part-time, we'll calculate your experience based on the actual hours you worked to add up to one year of full-time equivalent work (2,087 hours). To receive credit for part-time work, you must clearly describe your duties and responsibilities, and the number of hours you worked each week.
Education
This position does not have a formal education requirement. You do not need to submit transcripts as part of your application, unless you are trying to substitute education for experience at or below the GS-11 grade level.
Additional information
The FRTIB offers wonderful benefits and work/life-balance flexibilities to help empower and reflect respect for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off*, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the federal retirement system. We offer, as applicable, flexible work hours, annual and sick leave, transit and childcare subsidies, free and confidential employee assistance and occupational health referral services, free on-site fitness center, and off-site fitness membership reimbursement.
Further benefits and flexibility details are located here: FRTIB Employee Benefits.
The FRTIB offices are conveniently located within a few blocks of the Union Station metro station. In addition, private parking is available in the building at the posted daily and monthly rates.
Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position; however, other recruitment incentives may be authorized.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request an RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to HumanResourcesDivision@FRTIB.GOV.
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.
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.
Review our benefits
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Attention to Detail
- Decision Making
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Teamwork
- Retirement Benefits Program Administration
- Contractor Performance Oversight
- Problem Solving
- Writing
- Partnering
- Influencing/Negotiating
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may result in your removal from consideration.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13042938
Required Documents
Veterans' Preference. If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit supporting documentation as described in the "Required Documents" section. Visit the Feds Hire Vets website for more information regarding veterans' preference.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and you are found Well Qualified for this vacancy. Well Qualified means you must meet all the minimum qualification standards listed above and be assessed and assigned the rating of at least 85% to receive special selection priority. Well Qualified is further defined as possessing the Basic Qualifications and meeting the specialized experience noted above.
You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition website.
Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB:
1. Federal Resume Information: Your resume may be longer than two pages; however, only the first two pages will be reviewed when we evaluate your qualifications. Anything beyond page two will not be considered. Be sure the first two pages of your resume clearly show the relevant experience you want us to consider, including the start and end dates for each job (month, day, and year) and the number of hours you worked each week (for example, 40 hours/week). If your resume does not include this information, we may not be able to determine whether you qualify, and you may not be considered for this position. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent version will be used to evaluate your application.
2. Responses to the occupational questionnaire.
3. You must submit supporting documents verifying your selection priority eligibility or any preference eligibility along with your application package. Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you. These documents may include, but are not limited to:
- Veteran's documentation. All veterans must submit a DD-214, Member Copy 4. If you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
- Preference eligible documentation. If claiming 10-point preference you must submit the final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information), as well as the DD-214 Member Copy 4. The SF-15 will be requested if selected.
- ICTAP documentation. RIF separation notice along with your last performance rating or appraisal.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the
USA Hire Application Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Next steps
Once your application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review. If your name is referred to the selecting official, you may be contacted directly by the office for a possible interview. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJOBS profile.
When the entire vacancy announcement process has been completed you will receive notice via email (or by mail if no email address was provided during the application process). Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after the vacancy has closed to inquire about the status of your application.