Internal Revenue Service Logo
Position Title
Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)
Agency
Internal Revenue Service
Announcement Number
24-12400416M-H0N-0201-7T11 Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 to Tuesday, May 21, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. IRS CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus IRS employee and:
  • you are located either within or outside the local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP).
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2. Treasury CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus Department of Treasury (non-IRS) employee and:
 
  • you are located within the same local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP).
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3. IRS Internal Candidate (excluding Chief Counsel and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)) - Are you a current career or career-conditional, Competitive Service Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee? You can view a copy of your most recent SF-50 to determine if you are Competitive Service. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should be a "1" or "2".)

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, submit a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal.
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4. IRS RPP Candidate (excluding Chief Counsel and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)) - Are you a current IRS employee who has received a Reassignment Preference Program (RPP) notice and:
 
  • you are located either within or outside the local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential and the same work schedule (e.g., permanent, seasonal, etc.) of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of RPP eligibility such as a RPP notice AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

For more information, review IRS Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) 6.330.1.
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Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. How many performance related awards, (including time off in lieu of monetary), or quality step increases have you received in the three years preceding the closing date of this announcement?

You may obtain a list of your most recent awards at https://persinfo.web.irs.gov/indexawd.htm.
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4. Please list the names of any performance related awards and/or quality step increases you have received in the three years preceding the closing date of this announcement and the dates (MMDDYYYY) of the awards. (For example: Performance Award, 02/02/2019).

You may obtain a list of your most recent awards at https://persinfo.web.irs.gov/indexawd.htm.
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5. Your annual performance appraisal and relevant awards are considered in the selection process.

Please indicate the option that best describes your most recent performance appraisal.
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6. Please enter the date of your most recent performance appraisal. (limit characters)
7. Please select the response that most accurately reflects your most recent performance appraisal or performance rating. (limit characters)
8. What is your Standard Employee Identifier (SEID)? (limit characters)
9. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, please provide your current or last pay plan, series, and grade level or pay band. For example: GS-0303-05, IR-0343-02, WG-5400-04. (limit 250 characters)
10. What is your current position title? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in applying for this position. Your responses to the following questions supplement the information provided in your resume. (limit characters)
1.


GS-7 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-7 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience for this position includes: Applying human resources personnel, employee benefits, or payroll concepts and practices to ensure employee position and placement (e.g., benefits, pay, hiring authority) is established. Inputting and researching personnel actions/records and data in an automated personnel system in order to meet personnel and payroll cycles and accomplish workload; experience analyzing personnel problems and ensuring accuracy of personnel employee/payroll information; communicating to employees and/or management factual and procedural human resources information clearly, verbally, and in writing in response to inquiries.
OR You may qualify based on education with completion of at least one (1) academic year of graduate education in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position such as: human resources, public administration, organizational psychology, or other administrative and management fields. OR Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Note: Grade point averages should be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 is rounded to 3.0, and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an Honor Society.
OR You may qualify with an equivalent combination of qualifying graduate education and experience.

Which of the following is true about your education and/or experience for the GS-7 level?

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2.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Under merit promotion procedures, applicants must satisfy time-in-grade requirements contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Time is credited based on calendar time served in a grade, regardless of the number of days or hours worked.
Please select the response that best describes your time-in-grade for the GS-07 level.
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3.
GS-9 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-9 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience for this position includes: Applying a wide range of laws, regulations, policies, and practices with an understanding of the interrelationships of human resources management programs sufficient to provide integrated solutions to employee benefit issues (e.g., optional/mandatory benefits, disability, early and/or discontinued service retirement; life/health insurance eligibility determinations, death of dependent, death cases); inputting and researching personnel actions/records and data in an automated personnel system in order to meet personnel and payroll cycles and accomplish workload; experience analyzing personnel problems and ensuring accuracy of personnel employee/payroll information; preparing retirement annuity estimates using a projected retirement date; verifying the accuracy and completeness of election forms for employee benefits; consulting to meet/deal tactfully and persuasively with others to resolve a wide range of employee benefits issues (e.g., impacted employees, deceased employee survivors, employee programs), including those which can be controversial or sensitive in nature. Experience communicating to employees and/or management factual and procedural human resources employee benefits information clearly, verbally, and in writing in response to inquiries.
OR You may qualify based on education as follows: A master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position such as: human resources, public administration, organizational psychology, or other administrative and management fields. OR Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position such as: human resources, public administration, organizational psychology, or other administrative and management fields. OR LL.B or JD in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position such as: human resources, public administration, organizational psychology, or other administrative and management fields.
OR You may qualify with an equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education.

Which of the following is true about your education and/or experience for the GS-9 level?
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4.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Under merit promotion procedures, applicants must satisfy time-in-grade requirements contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Time is credited based on calendar time served in a grade, regardless of the number of days or hours worked.
Please select the response that best describes your time-in-grade for the GS-9 level.
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5.
GS-11 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience for this position includes: Overseeing/managing employee benefits programs in order to provide guidance, information, and assistance to employees to make informed decisions regarding retirement programs and benefits such as survivor benefits, health benefits (e.g., FEHB), life insurance (e.g., FEGLI), retirement benefits (e.g., Thrift Savings Plan); preparing retirement annuity estimates using a projected retirement date; counseling employees, spouses, and beneficiaries on survivor benefits; verifying the accuracy and completeness of completed election forms for benefits. Consulting experience to meet and deal tactfully and persuasively with others to resolve a wide range of employee benefit issues (e.g., impacted employees, deceased employee survivors, employee programs), including those which can be controversial or sensitive in nature; serving as a point of contact with payroll, benefit carriers, or Federal agencies to resolve issues related to benefits; communicating to employees and/or management factual and procedural human resources employee benefits information clearly, verbally, and in writing in response to inquiries.
OR You may qualify based on education as follows: A Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position such as: human resources, public administration, organizational psychology, or other administrative and management fields. OR Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position such as: human resources, public administration, organizational psychology, or other administrative and management fields. OR LL.M. in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position such as: human resources, public administration, organizational psychology, or other administrative and management fields.
OR You may qualify with an equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education.

Which of the following is true about your education and/or experience for the GS-11 level?
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6.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Under merit promotion procedures, applicants must satisfy time-in-grade requirements contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Time is credited based on calendar time served in a grade, regardless of the number of days or hours worked.
Please select the response that best describes your time-in-grade for the GS-11 level.
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7. This position requires knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of employee benefits practices that are sufficient to provide comprehensive advisory and technical services. From the following options, select ALL of the employee benefits programs in which you have demonstrated experience. (limit characters)
8. Indicate the extent of your experience reporting on program statuses and/or technical problems requiring resolution. (limit characters)
9. Verbal Communication skills are critical for this position. The incumbent in this position must convey and present information to others, including interested parties from other organizations, co-workers, and managers. Select ALL the answers that best describe your experience and background. (limit characters)
10. This position requires skill in communicating related matters clearly and effectively. Select the answer that best describes your written communication experience. (limit characters)
11. The work of this position involves managing multiple assignments with conflicting priorities and multi-tasking, all while maintaining quality customer service and meeting various deadlines. Select the answer that best describes your background and experience. (limit characters)
12. Concerning employee benefits principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies, which of the following did you perform? (limit characters)
13. Which of the following employee benefits-related experiences apply to you? (limit characters)
14. Which statement best describes your customer service experience relating to employee benefits? (limit characters)
15. Which statement best describes your experience providing customer service within a work environment? (limit characters)
16. Which of the following describes your experiences when interacting with a frustrated or distressed customer? (limit characters)
17. Which of the following best describes your experience? (limit characters)
18. Choose the statements describing your experience ensuring attention to detail? (limit characters)
19. Which statement best describes your experience researching and resolving discrepancies and inaccuracies among various HR/personnel-related systems and/or databases? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
20. To qualify for this position and receive full credit for your relevant experience you must list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the questions. Do you understand that failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination?
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21. 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 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 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.

Failure to agree or respond to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position. Select the most appropriate response below.
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