Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits / Workers Compensation)

Summary

The HR Specialist (Employee Benefits / Workers Compensation) plays a pivotal role in managing and reducing workers' compensation for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and processed eggs. You will provide technical expertise, case management, and advisory services to support the effectiveness of the FSIS Workers' Compensation Program in the Worklife Services Branch of the Human Resources Business Systems Division.

Duties

• Develop and maintain an effective Workers' Compensation Program integrated with agency-wide initiatives, ensuring compliance with federal and agency policies.
• Research, interpret, and apply regulatory guidance and policies related to workers’ compensation, and disseminate new or revised procedures and information to staff and management.
• Provide technical advice and assistance to HR staff, supervisors, and managers on complex or controversial workers’ compensation claims and inquiries.
• Coordinate and conduct investigations of employee injuries, establish factual records, and prepare documentation for claims processing and challenges.
• Present relevant information and evidence to the Department of Labor (DOL) for the challenge of claims, including potential fraud or invalid claims.
• Analyze compensation cases and periodic rolls to identify employees with a reasonable probability of returning to work, and coordinate rehabilitation or return-to-work efforts.
• Work closely with HR specialists and management to identify or modify positions and provide reasonable accommodations for employees with medical restrictions.
• Audit and analyze quarterly and annual workers’ compensation costs and charge-back billings, identify errors, and recommend corrective actions to ensure cost accuracy.
• Promote and adhere to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and civil rights policies in all communications and program activities.
• Deliver training, workshops, and informational sessions to employees and managers on workers’ compensation policies, procedures, and emerging developments.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level.) To qualify for the GS-9: 52 weeks or more of specialized experience at the next lower grade level ( GS-7 level) that includes: Navigating HR systems such as NFC, ECOMP, GovTA, etc. Assisting others by providing basic information and preliminary guidance on workers' compensation claims and inquiries. Maintaining data tracking systems by entering information, updating status changes, and verifying accuracy. Education can be used in lieu of specialized experience as defined below: Successful completion of a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or LL.B. or J.D. OR Combination of Education and Experience: You must have an appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate education, more than the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify. To qualify for the GS-11: 52 weeks or more of specialized experience at the next lower grade level ( GS-9 level) that includes: Utilizing HR systems to process, track, document, and monitor actions to support employees and supervisors. Systems may include NFC, ECOMP, GovTA, etc. Researching and reviewing workers' compensation regulations, agency guidance, and policy to identify applicable requirements and provide guidance. Assisting employees, supervisors, and HR staff by providing information and basic counseling on workers' compensation claims and inquiries, helping them understand claim procedures, documentation needs, and timelines. Supporting the lifecycle management of workers' compensation claims by assisting with timely and accurate processing. Sharing workers' compensation information orally through phone calls, informal briefings, or training discussion, ensuring employees and supervisors understand claim processes, reporting requirements, and available resources. Education can be used in lieu of specialized experience as defined below: Successful completion of a 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: You must have an appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate education, more than the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify. To qualify for the GS-12: 52 weeks or more of specialized experience at the next lower grade level ( GS-11 level) that includes: Navigating and utilizing ECOMP to submit claims, uploading documents, track claim actions, and support employees and supervisors in using the system effectively. Researching, interpreting, and analyzing complex workers' compensation statutes, regulatory guidance, and agency policies to ensure organizational compliance. Providing guidance and counseling to employees, supervisors, and HR staff regarding workers' compensation claims, eligibility criteria, claim processes, and required documentation. Advising peers or leadership on workers' compensation policy requirements, operational impacts, and emerging trends, contributing to informed decision-making and program improvement. Managing end-to-end lifecycle of workers' compensation claims to ensure timely and accurate processing. Delivering oral briefings, training, presentations to employees, managers, or leadership to explain workers' compensation processes, requirements, and best practices. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Human Resources Management Series, 0201 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.

Education

If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of all relevant college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Reasoning Technical Competence Manages and Organizes Information Attention to Detail Customer Service Written Communication Oral Communication Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13080448 Other Information

Selectees may be eligible for Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual (CSALA). Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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 RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.