Human Resources Specialist (Retirement and Benefits)

This Human Resources Specialist (Retirement and Benefits) position is with Transportation Security Administration (Department of Homeland Security) in Phoenix, AZ. This position is located in Mission Support, Human Capital, Human Capital Operations, Benefits & Retirement section. The position is responsible for serving as either a Benefits Specialist or Retirement Specialist and provides expert guidance on retirement and benefits matters, addresses complex inquiries, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Key duties: • This Human Resources Specialist (Retirement and Benefits) position is located in HC-Operations Division, Office of Benefits and Retirement section, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Researches and analyzes retirement and benefits laws, regulations, OPM guidance, and agency policy to address congressional inquiries, employee and management inquiries, and complex escalated issues. Identifies Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act errors and recommends or supports appropriate corrective action. Serves as a retirement counselor for employees with complex retirement and benefits issues, including Federal Air Marshals, criminal investigators, executives, and other employees with special or complex retirement coverage. Processes and reviews retirement and benefits transactions, including retirement applications, disability retirement applications, retirement estimates, civilian service credit deposits, military service deposits, and related benefits actions. Researches and resolves complex escalated benefits and retirement cases, including complex military buy-back, service credit, retirement coverage, and entitlement issues. Please note: The duties are listed at the full performance level SV-I band (GS-13). Qualifications: In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following specialized experience and/or education to be considered qualified for the position: To qualify for the SV-G (equivalent to GS-11), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-F or GS-09 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience interpreting and applying federal laws, regulations, and OPM guidance to evaluate benefits and retirement cases. Experience providing counseling and guidance to employees and managers on federal retirement systems, including CSRS and FERS, and employee benefits programs, including FEHB, FEGLI, and TSP. OR In lieu of experience, you must possess the education requirement for this band level: 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 A combination of education and experience. To qualify for the SV-H (equivalent to GS-12), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G or GS-11 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience participating in meetings with employees, managers, external agency officials, and other stakeholders regarding employee benefits issues and communicating program requirements, processes, and procedures. Experience providing technical guidance and/or advisory services on federal retirement systems, including CSRS and FERS, and employee benefits programs, including FEHB, FEGLI, and TSP, including eligibility determinations, service credit calculations, and benefits entitlement issues. To qualify for the SV-I (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H or GS-12 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience utilizing federal laws and regulations to evaluate and resolve unique and unprecedented situations related to employee benefits and/or retirement. Experience conducting training on federal retirement systems and benefits programs for junior HR Specialists. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.