Job summary

Who may apply: Current, permanent DFAS employees in the competitive service, eligible DoD PPP Military Spouse preference applicants and current DFAS VRA employees

Major duties

Serves as a senior Employee Benefits specialist with responsibility for providing advisory services to managers and employees on Federal employee benefits programs to include retirement, health and life insurance, and Thrift Savings programs. Leads staff and develops new methods, processes and guides to support team members and overall program operations. Develops instructions and procedures to update or implement changes in Federal benefits programs. Performs regular and ad hoc audits on team operations and program delivery; and develops initiatives to improve service delivery. Remains aware of government or agency wide initiatives, DoD working group activities, OPM regulatory changes, pending reorganizations, mission changes, or staffing reductions or increases affecting serviced organization. Provides advisory services and assistance to management in the areas of employee wellness, benefits management, and agency/workforce impact associated with benefit program changes or implementation. Develops, delivers, and/or arranges for presentations for customers on current benefits programs and entitlements or changes in program requirements.

Qualification

One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-11) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as a applying the concepts, practices, principles, policies, laws, executive orders, and regulations in the administration of employee benefits programs. Work must have included providing benefit program consultation and training to customers in at least two of the following areas: employee health benefits, retirement, or life insurance; and investigating complex issues and analyzing applicable law, regulation, policy and case law in providing recommendations and guidance to customers in these program areas. Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in Federal Service. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for Specialized Experience at this grade level.

Evaluations

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING. All information included in the resume and Occupational Questionnaire is subject to review and verification. HR will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be further evaluated based upon information you provided in the Occupational Questionnaire. If a determination is made that the work experience described in your submitted resume does not support your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire, your score may be reduced, and you may lose consideration for this position. If you are already a DFAS employee, you may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service, if you are found to have exaggerated, embellished, inflated, mischaracterized, or falsified your resume or qualifications. The Assessment Questionnaire takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and collects information on your education, training and experience related to the following critical competencies: Benefits Administration Communication Customer Service Leadership Problem Solving You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12668647 DFAS recognizes the value of competencies gained through formal education and professional certifications. To ensure that consistent credit is given for these credentials in the selection process, DFAS has developed standard selection criteria to be used when filling positions in professional and administrative series. Selections for professional and administrative positions will be based on four categories of selection criteria: Experience, Other, Education, and Certifications.