This position is located in the Office of the Executive Director, Human Capital Management Office (HCMO), Human Capital Operations (HCO). The incumbent reports to the Director of HC Operations. HC Operations is responsible for the administration and management of human resources programs, operations, policies and services for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The HCMO also provides a wide range of technical advice and guidance to managers, supervisors, employees and customers of the FTC.

Duties

Duties: The incumbent serves as the Benefits Specialist and guides the agency's benefits, retirement, work/life, workplace flexibilities, voluntary leave and leave bank programs. This position provides the full array of technical guidance, advisory services, and program support in those areas of responsibility. The incumbent provides consultative support services to employees (current and former), annuitants, survivors, and eligible family members regarding retirement, insurance, health benefits, injury compensation, workplace flexibilities (including remote work and telework) and employee wellness. The incumbent provides a high level of customer service; handles telephone calls and in-person contacts tactfully and professionally; and ensures the image of HCMO and the service provided are upheld and/or strengthened as a result of the positive nature of the contact. Retirement and Employee Benefits: Provides counseling to employees regarding federal retirement benefits, including special retirement situations such as disability retirements, early-out retirement, and discontinued service retirement. Provides counseling to management, employees, and beneficiaries regarding benefits program coverage, options, variances in coverage, and advantages and disadvantages of benefits. Advises employees on all facets of TSP, such as loan provisions, calculation of benefits and contributions, withdrawal of contributions, transfer of fund contributions to qualified pension plans. Provides advisory services for open season benefits including Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and associated programs including FEDVIP and FSA; TSP, and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI); and Oversees the management of the agencies' annual benefits fair. Provides counseling to aid employees placed in the wrong retirement code and covered by the Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Correction Act (FERCCA) in making election decisions, assisting with completing the necessary paperwork, and serving as the liaison with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in monitoring the status. Develops, modifies, and conducts presentations of basic and/or refresher training in employee retirement, benefit, and work life programs. Completes the processing and completion of benefits related personnel actions in the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS), the Workforce Transformation and Tracking System (WTTS) and the Entry on Duty System (EODS). Conducts counseling for employee off-boarding. Ensures employees are notified of what happens to their benefits upon separation from the agency. Worker's Compensation Program Provides assistance with monitoring the Office of Worker's Compensation (OWCP) Program and develops programs and processes to reduce OWCP costs by coordinating with employees, DOL, medical professionals, and supervisors to return employees to work as soon as medically possible. Serves as system administrator and Agency Maintenance User to maintain administrative function of the system. Agency Work life Programs Assists supervisors in planning and carrying out Work-life projects to inform employees regarding a range of available Work-life programs regarding child care, emergency back-up dependent care, employee assistance, health and wellness promotion, flexible work schedules, workplace flexibilities, caring for dependents and elderly relatives, financial support, recreation, stress and health management, and related programs. Meets with employees to explain work-life programs; provides counseling for employees regarding the benefits of any of the available work-life programs Plans and carries out efforts to initiate, streamline, or modify Work-life programs to optimize their usefulness in meeting employee needs. Leave Programs Provides expert technical guidance/advisory services to FTC human resources staff, supervisors, and senior staff. Ensures processing of leave recipient and leave donor requests, to include required updates in the agency's personnel/payroll system. Assists team lead in managing the agency's Leave Bank Program, including the processing of leave bank applications.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirement by the closing date of this vacancy.
• You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.
• This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Benefits Specialist at the GS-12 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, that includes experience: Providing expert technical guidance/advisory services to FTC managers and staff. Responsible program areas include, but are not limited to the Telework Program, Open Season, Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP), Voluntary Leave Bank Program, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Long Term Care Insurance (FLTCI), Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Life Care. Providing retirement counseling and processing retirements including voluntary early retirements and voluntary separation incentives Calculating service computation dates Providing authoritative advisory service and/or interpretations of HR legal and regulatory principles, concepts, practices as it relates to Federal benefits and retirement Calculating annuity estimates Providing informational training or sessions on benefits and retirement Providing advice on various wellness programs including, but not limited to, Employee Assistance, Remote Work, Telework, Workers' Compensation, and other health and wellness programs and activities. 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.

Education

There is no education substitute at this level.

Contacts

• Address Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite H-723 Washington, DC 20580 US
• Name: Dominique Hardy
• Phone: 202-326-3797
• Email: [email protected]