Supervisory Benefits Advisor

Summary

EBSA plays a vital role in protecting the retirement, health, and other job-based benefits of America's workers, retirees, and their families. We issue effective regulations, offer comprehensive education and assistance to workers, plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and service providers, and rigorously enforce the law. We serve workers, families, and the broader employee benefits community by protecting the security and integrity of the nation's benefit systems.

Duties

Benefits Advisors respond to participant and beneficiary inquiries and complaints and provide technical assistance on the obligations of employers, plan sponsors, and service providers under ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, MHPAEA, etc. They resolve valid complaints through informal dispute resolution, refer complaints to enforcement involving potential criminal activity or plan wide issues that cannot be resolved informally, and serve as the focal point of the DOL liaison with the general public. Major duties for this position include, but are not limited to the following: Provide technical guidance to subordinates on issues related to pension and healthcare benefits by interpreting applicable laws and regulations, ensuring compliance, and applying Standard Operating Procedures and agency guidelines appropriately. Ensure that program strategies and activities are consistently aligned with the mission and objectives of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), demonstrating a thorough understanding of its goals. Recommend allocation of resources to ensure compliance with program goals, effectively guiding subordinate staff in achieving organizational objectives. Provide comprehensive technical, policy, and planning assistance by developing a range of options designed to uphold the integrity, responsiveness, and operational effectiveness of the Agency's programs. Develop and maintain clear and comprehensive materials and procedural guidelines for technical assistance, ensuring all documentation adheres to established standards and provides dependable resources for stakeholders. Contribute to the formulation of both short-term and long-term strategies for the Agency's customer service program, and is responsible for drafting, documenting, and communicating these strategies to ensure effective implementation and alignment with organizational objectives. Independently manage competing priorities within the outreach, education, and assistance program, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and deadlines are met. Develop a standardized review format to be followed in reviewing regional and national office assistance programs. Qualifications

You must meet the Specialized Experience to qualify for the Supervisory Benefits Advisor position, as described below. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-13 in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Qualifying specialized experience for this GS-14 position includes (applicants must meet at least three out of the five statements below): Experience in planning, implementing, and/or evaluating programs related to employee benefits, compliance with federal regulations such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or related legislation. Experience providing technical advice and assistance to stakeholders, including plan administrators, employers, and participants regarding the application and interpretation of employee benefits laws and regulations. Experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including federal, state, and local agencies, private industry representatives, and the general public. This includes developing and conducting outreach initiatives, educational programs, call quality assurance programs, and presentations that effectively inform and assist audiences on their rights and obligations under applicable benefit laws. Experience in supervising, mentoring, or leading teams in a professional environment, including setting performance standards, conducting evaluations, and promoting professional development. This includes the ability to coordinate work assignments and manage resources to achieve program objectives effectively. Experience analyzing technical issues related to employee benefits, identifying potential violations, and proposing solutions through collaborative negotiation and conflict resolution.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience for this position at the GS-14 level. How You Will Be Evaluated

Your evaluation will be based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated through your resume and supporting documentation. You may preview application questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13043356 SME Resume Panel Review Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to assess your technical qualifications based on the competencies listed below. Applicants who meet the required qualifications will advance to the next stage of the hiring process. For each below competency, SME(s) will provide a rating of 0-Not Applicable, 1-Awareness, 2-Basic, 3-Intermediate, 4-Advanced, or 5-Expert based on the content of your resume. Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies: Planning and Evaluating Self-Management Technical Competence Writing Click here for evaluation details. The information you provide may be verified by a review of your paid, unpaid, and volunteer, as it demonstrates the competencies or skills required for the position to be filled. Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment conducted by HR specialists, subject matter experts, or panel members and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). INFORMATION FOR CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. CTAP eligible(s) will be considered well-qualified if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review the eligibility questions to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation. Other Information

The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION This position is Outside the Bargaining Unit. For more information, Click here for Career Ladder Promotion Information You may not be aware, but in the regulations for agency ethics programs, there are requirements for supervisors. Section 2638.103 of Title 5 of the CFR states: Every supervisor in the executive branch has a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. It is imperative that supervisors serve as models of ethical behavior for subordinates. Supervisors have a responsibility to help ensure that subordinates are aware of their ethical obligations under the Standards of Conduct and that subordinates know how to contact agency ethics officials. Supervisors are also responsible for working with agency ethics officials to help resolve conflicts of interests and enforce government ethics laws and regulations, including those requiring certain employees to file financial disclosure reports. In addition, supervisors are responsible, when requested, for assisting agency ethics officials in evaluating potential conflicts of interest and identifying positions subject to financial disclosure requirements. Supervisory Financial Disclosure: This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually. For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy. Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.