Human Resource Specialist Employee Benefits

Summary

This position is located in the Benefits and Retirement Branch (BRB), Human Resources Operations Division (HROD), Office of Human Resources and Professional Development (HRPD),which is responsible for administering the employee benefits programs such as health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance, long term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), flexible spending account program, federal leave program, length of service award, and new employee orientation on federal benefits.

Duties

Help

The major duties of the Human Resources Specialist (Retirement) GS-0201 11/12 position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Researching questions about employee benefits policies and regulations using 5 CFR, OPM and DOJ guidance and consultations with the branch chief and/or senior specialist to prepare final responses and analyze issues, problems and questions from employees and management.
• Works with the PPOB Time and Attendance Coordinators and the Branch's leave administrator to provide employees with guidance and to resolve issues related to Leave without Pay and the impact on employee's benefits. This also includes preparing notices for issuance to the TSP Service Office, advising employees of their insurance options and monitoring their return-to-work status.
• Provides authoritative advice and recommendations concerning these programs for employees. Advising employees who have military service about the process for crediting their military service toward their civilian service, leave accrual calculation. and future retirement eligibility and benefits. Prepares military service deposit calculations where Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) rules must be applied to conform to the law.
• Serves as a specialist with responsibilities for managing federal health benefits, federal life insurance, (TSP), flexible spending account program, unemployment compensation, military service deposit, federal length of service awards, employee suggestions, and new employee orientation on federal benefits programs and as such, must have thorough familiarity with these programs and their policies and associated procedures.
• Analyzes the impact of legislative changes, precedent court decisions, pending initiatives, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issuances, and other materials affecting, or potentially affecting employee benefits.
  
  

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Key Requirements:

• Must be U.S. Citizen or National
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
  
  

MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process. This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits), position at GS-11/12 , you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:

• Assists in research and assemble precedent setting decisions, report findings and make recommendations for operational improvements affecting employee benefits, preparing standard operating procedures and preparing documents and other types of correspondence;AND
• Participate in meetings with employees, managers, external agency officials and other individuals regarding various issues pertaining to employee benefits and to communicate program requirements, processes and procedures; AND
• Knowledge of the automated personnel and payroll systems (HR Connect, NFC, FHR Navigator, eOPF) to retrieve employment and benefits enrollment data, as well as make inquiries, input documents and calculate service computation dates, retirement annuity benefits and military service deposit ; AND
• Understands the laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the various retirement systems (CSRS, FERS, LEO), TSP, Social Security system, Medicare, health and life insurance programs, length of service award and retirement recognition to answer routine questions from employees, assist them with their concerns and problems and to refer them toother resources, i.e., BRB senior specialists, and TSP, FSA, BENEFEDS, Social Security; AND
• Understands the mission and functions of the Bureau and its organizational structure and of common occupations within the Bureau to verify retirement system coverage (law enforcement officer versus non-law enforcement officer), special pay entitlement and for the coordination of providing employee recognition.
  
  

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience Must Include All Of:

• Independently research and assemble precedent setting decisions, report findings and make recommendations for operational improvements affecting employee benefits, preparing standard operating procedures and preparing documents and other types of correspondence ; AND
• Knowledge of the automated personnel and payroll systems (HR Connect, NFC, FHR Navigator, eOPF) to retrieve employment and benefits enrollment data, as well as make inquiries, input documents and calculate service computation dates, retirement annuity benefits and military service deposit ; AND
• Understands the laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the various retirement systems (CSRS, FERS, LEO), TSP, Social Security system, Medicare, health and life insurance programs, length of service award and retirement recognition to answer routine questions from employees, assist them with their concerns and problems and to refer them toother resources, i.e., BRB senior specialists, and TSP, FSA, BENEFEDS, Social Security ; AND
• Understands the mission and functions of the Bureau and its organizational structure and of common occupations within the Bureau to verify retirement system coverage (law enforcement officer versus non-law enforcement officer), special pay entitlement and for the coordination of providing employee recognition ; AND
• Managing federal health benefits, federal life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), flexible spending account program, military service deposit, length of service awards, and new employee orientation and as such, must have thorough familiarity with these programs and their policies and associated procedures.
  
  

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (06/18/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

Additional Selections May Be Made From This Announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

• Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
• Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
• Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
  
  

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation:ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648-8760 or send an email to reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Selective Service: If you were born male, on or 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.