Clarification from the agency

This position is a Title 5 Excepted position open to members of the Iowa Army National Guard (Title 32 Military Technicians , Title 5 Civilians, M-Day, AGR employees).

As a HR SPECIALIST (MILITARY) (Title 5), GS-0201-11, you will perform the following duties.

1. Processes requests and produces transition documents for voluntary retirements, voluntary resignations, involuntary separations, medical retirements and separations, and all other Title 32 AGR transitions from active federal service. Assists in the creation of documents and packets for Title 10 AGR personnel when required and/or requested by NGB. Processes formal requests for voluntary retirement and voluntary resignation. Produces out-processing packets for Soldiers utilizing active-duty transition centers. Publishes and gathers documents for out-processing packets through publishing DD Form 214 worksheets, separation orders, retirement orders, and service time computations; and gathering all previous DD Form 214, DD Form 215, DD Form 220, SGLV Form 8286, DD Form 93, Soldier Record Brief, and NGB 23B and 1405 worksheet for all regular retirement personnel. Communicates with transition center personnel to assist in the creation of Retired Pay Application Packets to ensure the accurate and timely payment of retired pay. Communicates with Medical Command (MEDCOM) personnel to assist with transition documents for medically retiring and separating Soldiers. Performs leave audits for transitioning Soldiers to ensure an accurate leave balance is reflected upon separation to prevent excess leave and leave debts. (35%)
2. Analyzes Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Army (DA), National Guard Bureau (NGB), and state policies. Plans, coordinates, and ensures the proper implementation of those policies/procedures governing retirement services for retiring and retired Soldiers, their family members, and survivors in the state. May establish a State Retiree Council in-accordance with (IAW) AR 600-8-7 if directed by HRO. Schedules, conducts, and coordinates participation with other government agencies, and facilitates periodic community-wide Pre-Retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) briefings for all military retirees and their family members as defined within applicable policies and other official guidance.
3. Obtains access to the Defense Retired/Annuitant Pay System (DRAS) - Annuity Pay System (APS) and Retiree and Casualty Pay Subsystems (RCPS) to monitor retiree, pay accounts as they are established. Reviews transactions and conducts transaction error resolution to help ensure retiree pay accounts are established on time. Processes retiree requests for changes of address/bank accounts, tax changes, reissue of tax forms, retiree account statements, and establishes/monitors annuitant pay accounts. Reviews and updates publications as required. Reviews retirement related correspondence prepared for TAG signature. Reviews, submits, and troubleshoots retirement computations, submitted retirement packets, and appliable pay system issues. Serves as authentication authority of all transition documents. (25%)
4. Provides individual counseling and assistance to eligible active Army personnel, Retired Soldiers, their dependents, or survivors upon retirement; and on matters relating to personal affairs, rights, privileges to include benefits and services administered by other federal, state, local agencies. Serves as the state SME on the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay (CRDP) programs assisting eligible Retired Soldiers with the application process when required. Maintains liaison with the RSO manager at the applicable Military Installation Transition office. Explains the benefits under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA) and verifies eligibility of benefits for the former spouse. Assists claimants in obtaining pertinent documents from military spouses and other federal and states agencies. (25%)
5. Interprets policy and provides procedural guidance to commanders, supervisors, staff members and military members. Publishes guidance to enhance and simplify completion and submission of personnel actions. Conducts staff visits and trains personnel on the AGR retirement program. Conducts periodic briefings for staff, commanders, and administrative personnel to promote a full understanding of all aspects of the retirement services program. Provides commanders, supervisors, and state staff with a variety of statistical data or reports pertaining to military HR issues to assist in HR management decisions. Responds to correspondence (general, other agency, congressional, etc.) regarding military personnel issues. Researches, prepares responses, and maintains action file for all Congressional Inquiries. As required, forwards response for review and/or response for the Supervisor/HRO and/or Senior Leadership. (15%)
6. Performs other duties as assigned. T5926000

Conditions of employment

• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Perform irregular/overtime hours in support of operational requirements and contingencies
• Failure to complete prescribed courses may be cause for reassignment or termination of FTS.
• 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.

Qualifications

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Applicants who do not fully address the minimum/specialized experience needed for the position in their resume will not be referred for consideration.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: The ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions. Plan and organize work. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:GS020111- Applicant must have the following experience:

• 1-year specialized experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade
• Knowledge of HR laws, regulations, principles, policies, and concepts related to the assigned functional area sufficient to plan and coordinate activities, provide HR management advisory services, and serve as a strategic and technical resource to management and HR Specialists on difficult or controversial issues.
• Skill in communicating effectively with all levels and types of organizations and audiences.
• Ability to communicate with managers and leadership regarding HR subject matter.
• Skill in making clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups, listening effectively, and clarifying information as needed; facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters an atmosphere of open communications.
• Skill in writing clear, concise, explanations of policy, regulations, decision documents, etc. for various audiences including, at times, the general public.
• Skill in conducting research and determining appropriate application of laws, regulations, policy, or other directives and interpretative instructions for use in assigned HR action and in making decisions and recommendations.
• Skill in analyzing complex operational and business problems involving issues for serviced functions.
• Skill in advising managers and supervisors of HR program flexibilities and recommending alternatives.
• 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.

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 found to be among the qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the minimum/specialized experience provided in the announcement and the KSA's (knowledge, skills, and abilities) listed below:

• Knowledge of, and skill in applying fundamental HR management methods, principles and practices and standardized analytical, and evaluative methods and techniques to advise on and or resolve moderately complex, non-controversial and/or recurring recruitment and placement, voluntary and involuntary separation actions and Army AGR retirement actions, MOS requirements, AGR Programs and policies issues and problems for which there are one or more readily apparent solutions; to advise, assist managers and employees; to apply rules and regulations; and to research and analyze policy regarding a variety of HR issues.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret the changing MTOE, and TDA for accuracy and utilize the documents to determine authorizations, manpower requirements, grades, job specialties for Units/Battalions/Brigades Commanders and HROs.
• Ability to interpret and analyze issues of policies, regulations, fact, and law to be able to create SOPs and train.
• Ability to perform management advisory services and/or make informed judgments on specific voluntary and involuntary separation actions and Army AGR retirement actions. Advises management and the Human Resources Officer on recruitment and placement actions.
• Knowledge of the organizational structures of the ARNG.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing sufficient to develop and present findings and determinations to management and employees to gain acceptance and understanding of findings and recommendations.

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. Additional Supporting Documents (if applicable): Cover Letter, Transcripts, SF-50, DD 214, VA disability letter/documentation, ect.
   1. (In order to claim Veterans Preference a VA disability letter or legible copy of your DD214(s) annotating dates, campaign medals, and character of service (honorable, general, etc.) must be submitted for consideration).

Next steps