HR Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Summary Join the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Shared Service Center! We're looking for talented professionals to help deliver solutions that support federal agencies nationwide. As a Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits), you will serve as a senior advisor and project manager overseeing Federal employee benefits and Workers' Compensation programs, providing technical guidance, evaluating program effectiveness, and ensuring compliant, customer-focused HR service delivery. Responsibilities Serve as project manager for reimbursable HR initiatives involving employee benefits, personnel processing, records management, pay, and time and attendance services. Evaluate and administer Federal employee benefits programs, including retirement, insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, and leave programs for serviced agencies. Manage retirement application processing, including counseling employees, preparing annuity estimates, reviewing service histories, and ensuring compliant submissions. Oversee Workers' Compensation programs by monitoring claims, conducting quality reviews, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting return-to-work efforts. Provide senior-level technical guidance on benefits and retirement matters, including complex coverage determinations, disability retirement, and FERCCA cases. Analyze program metrics, develop reports and recommendations, and implement process improvements to enhance service delivery and regulatory compliance. Develop and deliver training, retirement briefings, and benefits education programs while advising managers, employees, and HR staff on benefits policies and procedures. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation May be required to successfully complete a probationary period Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office. NON-BU POSITIONS (BU Code - 8888): This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit Qualifications For the GS13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent, performing all of the following: Administering Federal employee benefits and retirement programs including FEHB, FEGLI, FERS/CSRS, LEO, senior executive, TSP, leave, or Workers' Compensation to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policy; AND Reviewing and resolving complex benefits and retirement cases involving service credit computations, eligibility determinations, claims processing, or employee counseling; AND Analyzing benefits or retirement program operations to identify trends, develop recommendations, and implement process improvements; AND Providing authoritative technical guidance and consultative support to managers, employees, and HR staff on Federal benefits and retirement policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Additional Information This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/raking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/ Relocation assistance and/or incentives may be offered at the discretion of the supervisor. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM. If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable\_Accommodations\_for\_USA\_Hire As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-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.