Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Food Safety and Inspection Service; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Food Safety and Inspection Service seeks a Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits) to serve as a subject matter expert administering federal benefit and retirement programs, providing expert advice to agency employees, developing educational programs, and handling complex case resolutions to support the FSIS workforce.

Applicants must meet all qualifications for the GS-9/11/12 levels, with education and experience described, including interpreting laws and regulations governing

Qualifications

• Experience advising employees on civilian benefits including retirement, health, life, and retirement savings.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and policies governing retirement and benefits.
• Progressively responsible experience in federal benefits administration.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on Federal civilian benefits to employees and managers.
• Administer and improve retirement and benefits programs.
• Develop educational programs about benefits and respond to complex inquiries.

Skills

Benefit administration

Retirement program guidance

Regulatory interpretation

Educational program development

Education

Master's degree

LL.B./J.D. (related)

Ph.D.

Job description

This position is located in the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Office of Management, Human Resources Operations Division. As a Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits), you will serve as a subject matter expert administering federal benefit and retirement programs. You will provide expert advice to agency employees, develop educational programs, and handle complex case resolutions to support the FSIS workforce.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. To qualify for the GS-9: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates: Providing basic guidance and assistance to employees on civilian benefits, including one or more of the following: retirement, health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Applicants must also have basic experience interpreting laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to retirement and benefits. OR 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. OR Combination of education and experience - Your total must equal 100% of the requirement, i.e. if you meet 50% of the education requirement, you must have 50% of the specialized experience requirement. Only education above and beyond the first year of graduate level education will count. To qualify for the GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates: Providing guidance and assistance to management and employees on Federal civilian benefits including more than one of the following: retirement, health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Applicants must also have experience interpreting laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to retirement and benefits plus identifying problems and recommending appropriate action to customers and managers. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., if related. OR Combination of education and experience - Your total must equal 100% of the requirement, i.e. if you meet 50% of the education requirement, you must have 50% of the specialized experience requirement. Only education above and beyond the two years of graduate level education will count. For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Experience must demonstrate the following types of skills and abilities that directly prepare the applicant to perform the duties in the position description. Independently providing advanced guidance and assistance to management and employees on Federal civilian benefits including three or more of the following: retirement applications, submitting Military Service Deposits, determining complex retirement calculations, completing service computations, reconciling pay and benefits for settlements, experience processing employee benefits. Applicants must also have extensive experience interpreting laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to retirement and benefits. Identifying problems and recommending appropriate action including offering advice, suggestions, and/or alternative options or solutions to customers and managers.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.