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Position Title
Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)
Agency
Office of the Inspector General
Announcement Number
OIG-21-MP-11004498-BW Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, January 8, 2021 to Monday, January 18, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. USAJOBS Veterans resources" https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring
-paths/veterans/

 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificates of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
3. (1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (PCS)? If yes, confirm you are indicated on the PCS orders; and that you:
• have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders;
• are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location; AND,
• have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.
 
-OR-
 
(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
 
-OR-
 
(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. "USAJOBS Veterans resources" https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring
-paths/veterans/


To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of the PCS orders indicating you are authorized to relocate on those orders.
 
To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc..
 
(limit characters)
4. Do you meet one of the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
• Transfer or Reinstatement eligibles; • Current Federal or former employees with career or career-conditional appointments in the competitive service that hold, or have held a career or career-conditional position  at a lower grade level as the position being announced; or,• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligible
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your competitive status or a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement. 

Failure to submit required documentation may result in loss of consideration for this eligibility.
 
(limit characters)
5. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
 
-OR-
 
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
 
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1)
(limit characters)
6. Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#NontemporaryForeignService; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran’s preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?
 
-OR-
 
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#NontemporaryForeignService in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran’s preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof. of your service which includes character of service
(limit characters)
7. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or 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. USAJOBS Help Center” https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring
-paths/federal-employees/ictap/

 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
8. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?
 
-OR-
 
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
 
-OR-
 
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
(limit characters)
9. Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
• Disabled veteran receiving 30% or more disability compensation from the VA;
• Transfer or reinstatement eligible: • Current Federal or former employee with career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced; or,
• Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
10. Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?
 
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.  “Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems”  http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems
 
-OR-
 
Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
 
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.  “Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=MiscellaneousAuthoritiesNotRegulated]]
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
(limit characters)
11. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities Resources. “USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources” https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/
 
To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
12. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Select item Instructions: For each of the following questions, please select the response that best describes your education and/or experience. You may only select one response for each question. If you feel that your education or experience exceeds all of the descriptions for a particular question, choose the description that is the closest level to the experience or education that you possess. (limit characters)
1. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level, if you have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience at this level includes: Providing advisory services to employees on Federal civilian employee benefit programs such as federal retirement, group life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, long-term care and flexible spending; experience interpreting Federal Benefits and Retirement rules, regulations and policies; conducting new employee orientation; coding and processing a variety of benefit-related personnel actions; calculating creditable service deposits; preparing annuity estimates and retirement packages; preparing and conducting employee benefits and retirement training sessions.
(limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
2. Serving as an advisor for HR benefits and leave in order to determine the appropriate entitlements of the employee. (limit characters)
3. Serving as a consultant for employees regarding pre-or post-retirement procedures and determinations. (limit characters)
4. Consulting with and advising employees or their survivors on a variety of complex technical issues. (limit characters)
5. Advising the staff on difficult and unique retirement and benefits issues. (limit characters)
6. Reviewing new and/or amending HR benefits policies, procedures, and guidelines and providing feedback regarding possible impact on current practices. (limit characters)
7. Developing alternative strategies related to employee benefits and entitlement programs, policies, and regulations. (limit characters)
8. Providing estimates of annuities and responds to benefits inquiries. (limit characters)
9. Preparing and completing personnel action requests/forms. (limit characters)
10. Have you calculated Law Enforcement Retirement annuity estimates (CSRS and FERS)? (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
11. Ensuring assigned HR programs include and meet all the requirements objectives.
(limit characters)
12. Developing and coordinating HR standard operating procedures (SOP), policies, processes, procedures, guidance for assigned programs.
(limit characters)
13. Analyzing current benefits, leave entitlement, and retirement policies or programs for inconsistencies.
(limit characters)
14. Creating alternatives or solutions to long-standing issues, and implements improvement plans.
(limit characters)
15. Serving as an advisor for HR entitlement programs such as benefits, worklife, payroll and/or retirement in order to determine the appropriate entitlements of the employee.
(limit characters)
16. Serving as an advisor and coordinating for payroll requests and/or inquiries in order to make complete requests and corrective measures.
(limit characters)
17. Researching, reviewing, interpreting, explaining, and applying HR related guidelines.
(limit characters)
18. Providing advice and counseling on benefits, retirement and leave entitlements to management.
(limit characters)
19. Ensuring assigned HR programs include and meet all the requirements objectives.
(limit characters)
20. Communicating orally in order to present research results.
(limit characters)
21. Communicating in writing in order to present research results.
(limit characters)
22. Conducting briefings or training for employees, supervisors, managers, and senior management officials regarding benefit, work/life, and leave programs.
(limit characters)
23. Conducting orientation and training sessions for employees.
(limit characters)
24. Identifying the need for training personnel and preparing and presenting course materials.
(limit characters)
25. Collecting, tracking, and analyzing information obtained from course participates.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
26. Certification of Accuracy: Your responses in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your responses. Deliberate attempts to falsify information will be grounds for disqualifying you or for dismissing you from employment following acceptance. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.

If you fail to answer this question, you will be disqualified from consideration for this position.

I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled. I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)