Benefits Specialist

Summary

The FRTIB is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Benefits Specialist. This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Benefits Specialist, GS-0301-13 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Duties

• Serves as a subject matter expert for assigned retirement benefits areas and supports the overall retirement benefits defined contribution program.
• Oversees and monitors TSP vendor performance for accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with program objectives, policies, and guidelines.
• Identifies and resolves complex retirement benefits program problems, including issues related to legislative initiatives and administrative decisions, and provides guidance to the TSP participant population.
• Designs, prepares, and implements broad studies to evaluate policies and best practices used in other defined contribution plans.
• Develops written guidance on proposed changes to benefit policies and oversight procedures.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required. All qualification requirements must be met by 09/18/2026. Your application package will not be considered if it is missing any of the required documents listed under the "Required Documents" tab. Failure to submit required documentation will impact your eligibility for this position. If you have any concerns or questions regarding required documents, please contact FRTIB HR Operations (contact information is noted below in this announcement) prior to the closing date of this announcement. Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the Time-in-Grade Requirement, which is 52 weeks of federal service at the next lower grade, GS-12. Qualifications

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time specialized work experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level (equivalent to the GS-12) in the federal government. Specialized experience is defined as: Administering retirement benefits or retirement savings programs by interpreting policies, regulations, or plan provisions to resolve participant, customer, or stakeholder issues. Evaluating the operational effectiveness of an assigned benefits program, service delivery function, or external service provider (including contractors and vendors) by analyzing performance data against established or self-developed performance measures, in order to identify deficiencies, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions or program improvements to management. Analyzing program, operational, or benefits-related issues to develop recommendations that improved service delivery, policy implementation, or program effectiveness. Developing policies, procedures, guidance, reports, or recommendations to communicate program requirements and support organizational decision-making. *Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. 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. Specialized experience must meet 52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade level. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Education

There is no formal education requirement for this position; therefore, transcripts are not required. Also, education may not be substituted for experience for this series and grade combination. How You Will Be Evaluated

To preview the occupational questionnaire, click on the following link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13055430. You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the above qualifications. Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Retirement Benefits Program Administration Contractor Performance Oversight Problem Solving Reasoning Writing Partnering Influencing/Negotiating Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Other Information

The FRTIB offers wonderful benefits and work/life-balance flexibilities to help empower and reflect respect for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off*, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the federal retirement system. We offer, as applicable, flexible work hours, annual and sick leave, transit and childcare subsidies, free and confidential employee assistance and occupational health referral services, free on-site fitness center, and off-site fitness membership reimbursement. Further benefits and flexibility details are located here: FRTIB Employee Benefits. The FRTIB offices are conveniently located within a few blocks of the Union Station metro station. In addition, private parking is available in the building at the posted daily and monthly rates. Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position; however, other recruitment incentives may be authorized. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veterans must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and you are found Well Qualified for this vacancy. Well Qualified means you must meet all the minimum qualification standards listed above and be assessed and assigned the rating of at least Well Qualified to receive special selection priority. Well Qualified is further defined as possessing the Basic Qualifications and meeting the specialized experience noted above. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition website. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to [email protected].