Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. GS-5/7/9 This is a developmental position with known promotion potential to the target position of 9PR21278 (Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits), GS-0201-11). Incumbent works closely with the supervisor in performing duties identified in the full performance standard core personnel document/core document. Summary Continued in Duties Responsibilities Summary Continued GS-11 The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior subject matter expert of civilian employee benefits and retirement programs with responsibility for providing the most complex administration, advisory services and counseling on employee benefits and entitlements in a regionalized environment for 145,000 Air Force-serviced civilian employees world-wide. Duties Serves as a senior employee benefits specialist who is the subject matter expert responsible for resolving technically complex/difficult, sensitive and volatile problems/issues in all aspects of retirement benefits and coverages that require substantial knowledge of Federal insurance laws, regulations, and procedures As a subject matter expert; exercises extensive knowledge, skill and application of employee benefits principles and evaluative methods sufficient to advise on and/or resolve incoming calls/inquiries that are technically complex/difficult, sensitive and volatile in nature Serves as a senior employee benefits specialist who is a subject matter expert responsible for providing sound, accurate and thorough benefits and entitlements counseling Participates in special projects/initiatives and performs special assignments affecting the benefits program Prepares and completes necessary correspondence, documentation, reports, etc. Prepares and presents briefings Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, 0201 Series. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-5 Applicants must have three years of progressively responsible general work experience with one year of that experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service. That experience demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate information clearly, orally and in writing; gather and analyze basic facts and draw conclusions; and to learn the operation of automated data systems. OR EDUCATION: Applicants have successfully completed a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official college transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Applicants have less than the full amount of general experience described above; however, they have completed education leading towards a Bachelor's Degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. Therefore, applicants have a combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. GS-7 Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-5, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include knowledge of the basic principles, concepts, and methodology used in employee benefits and skill in applying basic principles, concepts, and practices of the occupation sufficient to perform moderately difficult assignments. OR EDUCATION: Applicants have successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Human Resources; or they have a bachelor's degree in a subject area related to the position and am claiming Superior Academic Achievement. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Applicants have less than the full amount of specialized experience described above; however, they have completed some graduated-level education which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. Therefore, applicants have a combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. GS-9 Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-7, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include knowledge of the principles, concepts, and theories of Employee Benefits, and the standard practices, methods, and techniques of the occupation sufficient to perform difficult, but well-precedented assignments; knowledge of analysis, evaluation, fact-finding, and investigative techniques in order to gather data, identify significant factors, and recommend a solution from a number of possible alternatives; and knowledge of the occupation to perform studies and prepare reports, documentation, and correspondence to communicate factual and procedural information clearly. OR EDUCATION: Applicants have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., [if related] in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Human Resources Management. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official college transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Applicants have less than the full amount of specialized experience described above; however, they have at least one year of progressively higher level graduate education, but have not obtained a master's or equivalent graduate degree. Therefore, applicants have a combination of experience and education. Note: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. GS-11 Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-9, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include knowledge of, and skill in applying health insurance, life insurance, retirement, Thrift Savings Plan, and death-in-service laws, regulation, procedures, and counseling techniques provided in a regionalized environment using state-of-the-art technology and reengineered business processes. Actions cover the whole spectrum of these benefits such as responding to complex benefits questions; providing information necessary to help employees obtain maximum gains from available benefits; deciding obscure special entitlement matters; and providing individual employee counseling on retirement options, eligibility requirements, health and life insurance and Thrift Savings Plan issues. OR EDUCATION: Applicants have successfully completed 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. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Human Resources Management. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Applicants have less than the full amount of specialized experience required but have more than 2 years of graduate level education with a major or subject area related to the position to be filled. Therefore, they have a combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-5 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-7 level. One year at the GS-7 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-9 level. One year at the GS-9 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. Qualifications Continued in Education Education KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: GS-5/7/9 Knowledge of basic principles of the classified titled or related field Skill in communicating factual and procedural information clearly, orally and in writing Ability to learn basic techniques of the classified title Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions Ability to plan and organize work, and consult effectively with co-workers GS-11 A sound theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of federal personnel management functions, theories, techniques, and the relations of the various personnel disciplines; as well as knowledge of the Directorate objectives, mission, and operating programs and the implications of such on Air Force civilian personnel management programs Knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact finding, analysis, and resolution of complex problems and the development of concrete action plans to solve problems; also having knowledge of automated data processing functions, techniques, and capabilities and the ability to assimilate and translate the logic of personnel management to the data system Ability to establish performance goals and assess progress toward their achievement Ability to train and work effectively with widely diverse individuals and groups, as well as possessing the ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, in working out solutions to problems or questions relating to work Ability to represent the activity both within and outside the organization, and to gain support for the program goals PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information This position is obligated to the former incumbent and has return rights to this position under 10 U.S.C. 1586. Upon the employee's return you are subject to being displaced from this obligated position. Every effort will be made to find an equivalent position for you at the same grade for which you qualify within the commuting area without loss of seniority, status, or tenure. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.