HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS) (TITLE 5) Job in Springfield, IL

Vacancy No. IL-12559147-AR-24-288 Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $49,025.00 to $77,955.00 Grade 7 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/27/2024 Close Date 9/29/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Springfield, IL


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS) (TITLE 5), Position Description Number T5036000 and is part of the IL HRO AR, National Guard.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

About the Position: This is an open continuous announcement. Initial pull will be 25 October 2024. Recruitment will continue through the announcement closing date until the position is filled.

Duties

As a HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS) (TITLE 5), GS-0201-7/9, you will provide technical, procedural and evaluative assistance in the area of employee benefits for both Army and Air National Guard organizations.

Major Duties - This is NOT an all-inclusive list:

  • Provide technical guidance and procedural assistance to managers, supervisors, and employees in executing a variety of employee benefits programs, which may include workers' compensation, retirement, health and life benefits, Thrift Savings Program (TSP), etc.
  • Develop and carry out specific projects to accomplish the technical support mission of the Human Resources Office.
  • Review and interpret policies, directives, and other issuances by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), National Guard (NGB), Department of Labor (DOL), and outside control agencies for applicability to activities serviced.
  • Serve as a technical expert in matters regarding employees' claims for Workers Compensation.
  • Coordinate case details between employees, supervisors, medical personnel, and claims offices.
  • Work through appropriate channels with the DOL, Civilian Personnel Management Service (CPMS) Injury and Unemployment Compensation Division, and supervisors to determine that payment of legitimate claims is made, fraud is reported, and questionable claims are reviewed.
  • Provide background information or answers congressional inquiries related to injured employees claims.
  • Responsible for processing and maintaining the various IC claims forms and providing additional information as required in the completion/ submission of such forms.
  • Develop, modify, and conduct FECA and Workers Compensation training to supervisors, managers, and conducts briefing for technicians.
  • Assist in administering the retirement programs for technicians desiring to retire under any of the retirement systems.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Subject to provisions of DoD Priority Placement Program.
  • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
  • IAW The Fair Chance Act, Agency employees may not request criminal history information at the point of initial application, upon receipt of an application, or prior to, during or after a job interview. If an Optional Form (OF) 306, Declaration of Employment is submitted prior to the point of a conditional offer, questions related to background information section may not be asked.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • Recruitment and relocation incentives may be available for this position.
  • PCS expenses may be authorized.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: MUST possess 3 years of progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the lower grade level in the Federal service in order to be considered for this position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-9 Level MUST possess at least 1-year of specialized experience at the GS-7 Level: experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, such as: assists in administering the retirement programs; provide counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the complex retirement insurance benefits, entitlements/options. Interprets, applies, and explains retirement and insurance laws, regulations, and policies; provide guidance and assistance concerning workers' compensation, retirement, health and life benefits, Thrift Savings Program (TSP), etc. GS-7 Level MUST possess at least 1-year of specialized experience at the GS-5 Level: experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, such as: assists in administering the retirement programs; Interprets, applies, and explains retirement and insurance laws, regulations, and policies; provide guidance and assistance concerning workers' compensation, retirement, health and life benefits, Thrift Savings Program (TSP), etc.

Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to position descriptions, i.e. the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed below. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.

Education

If you are using Education to qualify for this position, for GS-7 Level you MUST have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. To use Education to qualify for the GS-9 Level, you MUST have 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., if related.

You must provide official transcripts to support your Educational claims.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

If you are needing some extra information regarding Federal Resumes, you should consider these tips from USA Jobs: USAJOBS Help Center | What should I include in my federal resume?

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):

  • Compensation Management
  • Customer Service
  • Employee Benefits Advisory Services

Required Documents

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

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: (Must not exceed 15 pages in length. Resumes over the 15-page limit will not be reviewed.) Your resume that clearly demonstrates experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section. Your resume must contain identifiable information such as your name, address, and phone number. It must also show your work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed. If you use Resume Builder, you are encouraged to save your resume to a Word document and upload the Word document in lieu of submitting your resume created through Resume Builder. This helps ensure you meet the 15-page resume limit.

  • SF-50 - Must include if you are a current or previous federal employee.
Other supporting documents (as applicable):
  • Certifications
  • DD-214
  • SF-50
  • Official Transcript (Copy)
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active-duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Documents that support Veterans' Preference:
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • SF-15
If claiming eligibility under the VOW Act: The VOW Act requires Federal agencies to treat active-duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligibles, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214. In order to be considered under the VOW Act, the certification must specify that the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package for this job announcement. The certification must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.

Documents NOT accepted: photographs, copies of position descriptions, training certificates, performance ratings, awards, and letters of appreciation.

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/12559147

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/.

Agency contact information

BENJAMIN MCBRIDE
Address
IL HRO AR
1301 N MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, IL 62702-2317
US
Learn more about this agency

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.