Summary
THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.
This National Guard position is for a HR SPEC (EMPL BEN), Position Description Number
NGT5018000 and is part of the MD HRO, National Guard.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to On-Board Federal Employees of the Maryland National Guard only. Applicants must submit current copies of their SF-50 to verify eligibility.
Duties
1. Incumbent is responsible for administration of the Federal employee benefits and retirement programs. Provides technical support on employee benefits covering the following areas: Federal Employee Health Benefits; Federal Employee Group Life Insurance; Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employees Retirement System , Thrift Savings Plan ; death benefits; and the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program and Employee Benefits Information System . Advises and counsels individual employees on all aspects of retirement benefits and coverage under CSRS and FERS. Advises on creditable service and retirement eligibility, estimates annuities using the Army Benefits Center - Civilian approved calculator, advises on continuing enrollment in Federal life and health insurance programs in retirement, and death-survivor benefits. Upon management or HRO staff request, verifies and determines employees' eligibility for Voluntary Separation Incentives, and provides retirement counseling to employees approved by management for VSIP or VERA. Provides technical information and guidance for employees to make informed decisions. Interprets and applies current regulations, policies, and procedures to advise employees and managers regarding all retirement programs. Serves as liaison with ABC-C to assist employees with their retirement applications. Additionally, to resolve problems, the employee may also contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement and Insurance Group, the DOD Field Advisory Services, Defense Finance and Accounting Services , the Federal Thrift Investment Board, and other government agencies chartered to manage and administer the Federal benefits programs.2. Provides Advisory Services. Administers the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance and Federal Employees Health Benefits programs. Resolves complex insurance problems and issues that require substantial knowledge of Federal insurance laws, regulations, and procedures. Coordinates with the ABC-C, when necessary, to resolve problems. Distributes health benefits brochures and enrollment forms to employees and managers. Counsels and advises employees regarding the immediate and long-term advantages of participating in the Thrift Savings Plan , and procedures for enrolling, changing or cancelling TSP participation. Serves as the HRO's Survivor Assistance expert for technician employees. The incumbent evaluates the situation of each individual preparing to retire or beneficiary requesting survivor assistance under one of the two retirement systems. Advises survivors of deceased employee on their benefits and procedural requirements to include assisting with the preparation of required forms. Provides an official estimated monthly survivor annuity, if any, using ABC-C approved tool. When necessary, visits survivor's home and provides a condolence letter and appropriate OPM forms to survivors of the deceased employee.3. Administers the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program ensuring that announcements for eligible leave recipients are disseminated to all employees; reviewing donor applications and checking that all required documents are attached; having donor applications approved; and sending donor packages to payroll for processing. Arranges training on retirement, health benefits, life insurance benefits, and open seasons. Coordinates training with OPM, DOD Field Advisory Services, NGB, private contractors, and other Federal agencies, etc.. Publicizes Federal employee benefits and retirement program information to the workforce. Continually reviews legislative, policy, and operational guidance for impact on the Federal benefits program, management, and administration. Provides informational materials to employees and managers to keep them apprised of requirements and changes in these various programs. Prepares all necessary correspondence, documentation, reports, and similar program administrative materials.4. Assists the HRO Federal Employee Compensation Act program manager in administering the National Guard Technician Office of Workers' Compensation Program FECA program. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets injury compensation standards established by Congress and the Department of Labor . Implements activity injury compensation regulations, court decisions, Department of Defense and DA policy, and all other regulatory sources. Assists the OWCP program manager in preparing briefings and publicity materials to ensure that supervisors and employees are fully and currently informed. Works with managers and supervisors to controvert claims the activity perceives as unjustified under applicable regulations and precedent Employee Compensation Appeal Board decisions. Reviews FECA claim cases during initial and post-injury phases to monitor the use of continuation of pay and to ensure that only substantiated and eligible injured technicians are placed on the OWCP compensation rolls. Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. 1. The incumbent of this position description must have at a minimum, a completed National Agency Check (NAC) prior to position assignment.*2. Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.3. 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.
Qualifications
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 1-year specialized experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Specialized experience is experience that prepared the applicant to perform the duties of the position. The applicant's educational-degree study program or military or civilian academic courses may substitute for some specialized experience. An applicant must demonstrate the specialized experience competencies (skills, knowledge, abilities and behaviors) to qualify for a position identified by its position grade and career level. Specialized experience factors encompass human resources program's business competencies, familiarity with the subject matter or processes used in human resources programs associated with DoD, U.S. Army, or U.S. Air Force. Experience in managing the function of the work to be performed. Experience which includes leading, directing and assigning work of personnel
Education
If you are using Education to qualify for this position,
You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.
Benefits
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.
Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Employee Benefits: Knowledge of HR concepts, principles, and practices related to retirement, insurance, injury compensation, and other employee benefits programs. Employee Benefits Processing: Administers benefits-related processing (to include personnel processing), ensuring processes are complete and accurate.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents: This position is open to On-Board Federal Employees of the Maryland National Guard only. Applicants must submit current copies of their SF-50 to verify eligibility.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12447616
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
|