Forest Service Logo
Position Title
Human Resource Specialist (Employee Benefits)
Agency
Forest Service
Announcement Number
19-NCH-HRM-FS3325-11-FS-LO Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, June 28, 2019 to Friday, July 12, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The answers to the following questions will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will only be considered under the option(s) you select. You may qualify for and select more than one category.

If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.

NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH type of eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.

See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation.

If you have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, please reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement's closing date. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
(limit characters)
1.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
• are a disabled veteran; OR,
• served on active duty during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal)for participation in a military operation?

 For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
2. Are you a current Forest Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
3. Are you a Forest Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
4.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
5. Are you a current or former employee of the US Forest Service who:
  • was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and,
  • most recent period of qualifying service was with the US Forest Service; and,
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
  • if you are no longer employed by the US Forest Service, have you been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance?
Note:  Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.   Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.


 
(limit characters)
6. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
This section will be used to determine if you possess the education and/or experience needed to qualify for this position.
 
(limit characters)
For each of the following questions, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provide in your resume or application, as well as information provided by your references. Failure to respond to these questions will result in an ineligible rating.
 
(limit characters)
1. Select the statement that best describes your education and/or experience. Experience claimed should be reflected in your resume. (limit characters)
2. What is the highest full performance level of the position you encumbered as a Federal employee in the competitive service? If the position held is covered under pay banding, select the equivalent GS grade level. If you have never held a Federal position, please select Not Applicable as your answer to this question. (limit characters)
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item.
 
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Facilitate return-to-work with managers, medical facilities and employee in order to reemploy. (limit characters)
4. Explain rules and regulations, procedures, rights and obligations and provisions specific to worker's compensation benefits. (limit characters)
5. Counsel parties in the resolution of concerns related to sensitive medical and claim eligibility issues. (limit characters)
6. Represent the agency in the clear delivery of factual and procedural information to management and employees. (limit characters)
7. Assist in the training and development of coworkers. (limit characters)
8. Provide non-routine advice, guidance and information to injured employees and supervisors on the full range of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) program benefits and procedures. (limit characters)
9. Resolve highly complex issues for employees by applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques. (limit characters)
10. Perform review of claim forms, supervisor reports and medical documents for completeness and accuracy. (limit characters)
11. Interpret available federal benefits policies, procedures and guidelines (limit characters)
12. Facilitate claim processing, and collecting documentation and information with a variety of personnel. (limit characters)
13. Prepare products such as, responses to complex inquiries regarding claims and status, congressional inquiries, appeal processes, leave buy back, and/or vocational rehabilitation. (limit characters)
14. Review variety of documents for completeness and accuracy and notify appropriate party if corrective action is needed. (limit characters)
15. Assist coworkers in researching complex workers' compensation issues and make sound decisions based upon research and circumstances. (limit characters)
16. Perform secondary assessment of case for possible reemployment. (limit characters)
17. Refer suspicious cases/issues to senior specialist for assistance to either resolve or escalate through appropriate channels. (limit characters)
18. I certify I have read the announcement and have attached all supporting documents as required.
(limit characters)
19. Have you read the "Required Documents" section of the vacancy announcement and understand that failure to submit all required, legible documents prior to the closing date of the announcement may result in loss of consideration?
(limit characters)
20. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)