HR SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS/COMPENSATION)

Duties

This position is located in the JFHQ-State Human Resources Office (HRO). The purpose of this position is to perform employee benefit and retirement advisory services to both Army (ARNG) and Air National Guard (ANG) organizations and the full-time workforce within the state. Trains and provides technical assistance to lower graded specialists.

• 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. Researches and interprets appropriate regulations to provide advice to employees concerning reinstatement of insurance, conversion of life insurance and features of the programs and options associated with retirement. Assist employees in the preparation of retirement applications and related documents and forwards to the Army Benefits Center Civilian (ABC-C). Determines type of separation and completion of eOPF maintenance for documents. Maintains a current knowledge of legislative development, agency reorganizations and other pertinent activities that may have an impact on management and employees. Provides technical guidance and assistance in the development and implementation of benefit program changes and open seasons. Determines entitlement to retirement annuities, eligibility for continuation of life and health insurance. Provides technical advice to personnel on a variety of programs such as health and life insurance and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Provides initial overview to new employees on the benefit programs available to them.
• 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. Develop and process termination memorandums. Compose termination memorandums (30-day notice) in compliance with formats contained in the correspondence regulation for non-retention, mandatory removal date (MRD), mandatory separation date (MSD), medical disqualification, age 60, etc. Monitors and ensures the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) program is properly publicized and supervisors are provided the appropriate guidelines for use of the program. In coordination with the NGB J1-Functional Manager ensures prompt submission of claims and medical documents. Works with Department of Labor (DOL), Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS), to ensure only legitimate claims are submitted.
• 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. Provides technical advice on the use of the Family and Medical Leave Act, Paid Parental Leave, and Voluntary Leave Transfer Program. Interprets guidance and regulations to provide advice to management and employees on pay schedule adjustments, severance pay, back pay, debts, and compensation. Process donated leave requests within the State. Use automated system to effectively process personnel actions in accordance with the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions and local personnel systems checklists as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
• This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
• Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
• Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
• Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate clearance designated at the State through the use of the Position Designation Tool.
• 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.

Qualifications

Military Grades: Officer (O-2 and below), Warrant Officer (CW3 and below), Enlisted (E-9 and below)

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : GS-09- Must have at least one year specialized experiences at the GS-07 level or the equivalent which provided a working knowledge of National Guard missions, organizations, and federal civilian or military personnel programs. Must have experiences in executing personnel programs and Human Resources Information Systems, as applicable to the specific position and its position description.

GS-11- Must possess specialized experiences at the GS-09 level or the equivalent which provided a working knowledge of National Guard missions, organizations, and federal civilian or military personnel programs.

Education

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.

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 ( ).

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.