Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY The AvantGarde LLC Federal Human Resources Benefits Specialist supports the AG client onsite at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), a Title 2 agency, within the Human Capital Management Division, Employee Benefits and Services Branch. This full-time position is anticipated at 40 hours per week and provides advisory services on complex benefits and retirement matters to benefits team personnel, management, and employees. Telework is permitted up to two days per week and an alternative work schedule (AWS) is available.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Provide consultative advice and support to the agency workforce on all regulatory and operational aspects of Federal benefits and retirement programs.
- Research and provide counseling and guidance on benefits and retirement program matters to senior leaders, managers, and employees.
- Provide technical guidance, analysis, recommendations, and alternative solutions on complex and highly sensitive benefits and retirement issues.
- Provide in-depth counseling to employees regarding retirement planning, disability retirement, discontinued service retirement, new hire onboarding, conversions, changes in marital or family status, separations, and survivor or beneficiary matters.
- Administer the full range of retirement and benefits services, including retirement processing, annuity estimates, employee inquiries, and related transactions.
- Prepare and calculate complex annuity estimates, prior Federal service determinations, and civilian and military deposits or redeposits; research and adjudicate FERCCA cases; and determine retirement coverage and creditable service.
- Process retirement, disability retirement, and death cases; establish and verify employee service history and profiles in GRB; and monitor processing through systems including NFC, eOPF, and related platforms.
- Prepare SF-52s and other standard forms associated with benefits and retirement actions.
- Perform quality reviews of benefits transactions, retirement applications, survivor benefits, life insurance, long-term care, and TSP transactions.
- Serve as a technical expert on assigned Federal benefits programs, including SCD verification, retirement code validation, and retirement processing requirements.
- Develop and deliver benefits and retirement communication materials, presentations, and employee briefings.
- Conduct one-on-one and group presentations related to benefits and retirement programs.
- Support or lead portions of Open Season planning and execution, including employee communications, briefings, and issue resolution.
- Assist with onboarding activities and special projects as assigned.
Skills & Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS - Federal Benefits Specialist at the GS-12 equivalent level or above with 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in Federal retirement and benefits administration.
- At least 5 years of experience counseling employees and management on Federal benefits and retirement matters, including retirement planning, insurance programs, work-life programs, and related employee benefits.
- Experience supporting a Federal agency environment, preferably one with a large employee population.
- Current knowledge of Federal benefits and retirement laws, regulations, policies, and guidance, including applicable OPM guidance, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), IRS regulations, MSPB rulings, and OMB or Presidential memoranda.
- Experience applying retirement coverage rules, creditable service determinations, annuity estimate calculations, civilian and military deposits/redeposits, FERCCA requirements, and related retirement processing concepts.
- Experience using GRB, EPP, eOPF, NFC, and related systems to support benefits and retirement administration; familiarity with these systems is highly preferred.
- Experience reviewing and validating service history, conducting SCD verification, verifying retirement codes, and establishing or validating employee service profiles in GRB.
- Experience coordinating with NFC staff, researching system or case issues, and ensuring accurate processing of retirement and benefits actions.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to draft articles, briefing materials, and employee communications; present information clearly in one-on-one and group settings; and interact professionally with employees, managers, and stakeholders.
- Experience supporting or leading portions of Open Season planning and execution, including coordination, employee communications, and issue resolution.
- Experience assisting with onboarding activities in a Federal HR environment preferred.
- Experience supporting large, complex Federal organizations or employee populations preferred.
- Must work 5 days per week on a pre-arranged and approved schedule within normal work hours (between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.).
- Position allows telework up to two days per week; regular onsite presence is required for the remaining scheduled workdays.
- Must pass a standard AOC background suitability check.
- Operation of a PC in an office environment.
- This is a primarily sedentary position. Some bending and light lifting may be required.
Qualifications
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Remote work, 2 days per week