Federal Benefits Specialist - 401k Match & PTO (On-site DC)

Cherokee Federal; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Paid holidays

EAP

FSA/HSA options

Training and certification support

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Cherokee Federal is seeking a Human Resources Benefits Specialist in Washington, DC to provide guidance on federal benefits programs, including FEHB, FEGLI, TSP, and retirement planning. The role requires active security clearance and experience with federal policies and HR systems.

The position is on-site with a starting hourly pay range of $45.00–$47.00, reflecting federal contracting requirements and Public Trust eligibility. U.S. citizenship and DE certification are necessary.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of Federal benefits experience required.
• Current OPM Delegated Examining (DE) Certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Knowledge of federal staffing, recruitment, and position classification principles, laws, and regulations.
• Ability to learn and effectively use Personnel Tracking Systems (PTS).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• This position requires an active Public Trust clearance.
• Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Responsibilities

• Advise employees on federal benefits programs including FEHB, FEGLI, TSP, and retirement systems (FERS/CSRS).
• Conduct benefits briefings for new hires and assist with enrollments and qualifying life events.
• Provide retirement counseling, determine eligibility, compute service dates, and guide employees on TSP withdrawals and benefits continuation (e.g., COBRA, retirement options).
• Review retirement applications (SF-2801/SF-3107) for completeness; verify service history against eOPF; manually calculate high-3 salary; and submit certified packages to OPM within required timelines.
• Conduct one-on-one retirement counseling sessions within 60 days of eligibility using GRB Platform to generate annuity estimates and benefits summaries.
• Maintain and update official personnel records in eOPF, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Manage FECA cases, including documentation and coordination with the Department of Labor.
• Provide guidance on federal benefits policies, employee rights, and regulatory updates.
• Utilize HR systems and tools to process benefits-related actions and maintain records.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

PTS usage

Valid U.S. driver’s license

US Citizenship

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

PTS

Job description

Cherokee Federal is seeking a Human Resources Benefits Specialist in Washington, DC to provide guidance on federal benefits programs, including FEHB, FEGLI, TSP, and retirement planning. The role requires active security clearance and experience with federal policies and HR systems.

The position is on-site with a starting hourly pay range of $45.00–$47.00, reflecting federal contracting requirements and Public Trust eligibility. U.S. citizenship and DE certification are necessary.