Clarification from the agency

See Area of Consideration

This National Guard position is for a HR SPEC (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS/EMPLOYEE RELATIONS)(Title 5), Position Description Number T5931000 and is part of theCT HRO ARNG, National Guard.

JOB SUMMARY: The purpose of this position is to perform work in two HR Specialties with no less than 25% each. Up to four specialties may be assigned for a total of 100%. This position services both Army (ARNG) and Air National Guard (ANG) organizations and the full-time workforce within the state.

The major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Advises and counsels management, employees, annuitants, and family members of deceased employees by interpreting, applying, and explaining retirement and insurance laws, regulations, and policies on available retirement insurance benefits, death benefits, entitlements/options.
• Provides assistance, interpretation, information, and guidance on employee relations problems and issues which affect organizational goal performance, individual performance, performance appraisal systems, and employee relations training programs.
• Provides technical advice to personnel on programs such as the Mass Transit, Reasonable Accommodations (RA), Telework, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act, military, or civilian deposits for CSRS/FERS, disability benefits, Light Duty Program, and Workers Compensation Program.
• Gathers and evaluates case facts, develops recommendations for and assures the implementation of appropriate corrective action.
• Provides technical advice on flexibilities and appropriate use of leave issues such as Sick Leave for Family Care and Bereavement, Disabled Veterans Leave, Advanced Leave, Compensatory Time, Leave Without Pay, Absence Without Leave, Presidential Leave, Court Leave, and Military Leave.

Conditions of employment

• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• Direct Deposit is mandatory.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.
• Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for this NG Title 5 excepted service position.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license.
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
• Federal employees currently serving in the excepted service (Title 32) must acknowledge they will voluntarily leave the Title 32 excepted service by accepting an offer of employment for this NG Title 5 excepted service position.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Your resume and any other supporting documentation you wish to provide must clearly substantiate you currently possess 1 year of specialized experience in the following:

• Experience equivalent to at least next lower grade level.
• Experience demonstrating the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of HR laws, regulations, principles, policies, and concepts related to the assigned functional area sufficient to plan and coordinate activities and serve as a technical resource to management and HR specialists on difficult or controversial issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels and types of organizations and audiences.
• Ability to communicate with managers and leadership regarding HR subject matter.
• Ability to conduct research and determine appropriate application of laws, regulations, policy, or other directives and interpretative instructions for use in assigned HR specialty areas and to make recommendations.
• Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups, listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters an atmosphere of open communication.
• Ability to analyze complex operational and business problems involving issues for serviced functions.
• Skill in advising managers and supervisors of HR program flexibilities and recommending alternatives.
• Ability to write clear, concise explanations of complex HR topics such as evaluation statements, investigation reports.
• Knowledge of HR computer applications and ability to integrate new, existing, and proposed applications into the operating environment.
• Ability to retrieve and provide HR reports to the serviced population.

CAREER LADDER: Individual may be selected at a lower level. Predicated upon qualifications, individual could be hired at the GS-11 grade. An individual selected for this position at the lower grade will progressively be advanced to GS-11 upon achievement of required qualifications without further competition.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Please ensure you follow all instructions carefully. 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.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume showing relevant experience (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.)
• Responses to the Assessment Questionnaire
• Member 4 copy of DD 214 (if claiming veterans' preference)
• SF 15 or supporting documentation listed on the SF 15 (if claiming 10 points veterans' preference)
• In addition, if claiming a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more, you must submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces (or documentation of purple heart, if applicable)
• Unofficial Transcripts (You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims)

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.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.

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