Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Summary About the Position : This position is located in a Centralized Injury Compensation (IC) and Unemployment Compensation (UC) servicing branch within The Army Benefits Center- Civilian, Fort Riley, KS. NOTE : Positions may be filled at the GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9 with promotion potential to the full performance GS-11 level. Positions may also be filled at the full performance GS11 grade level. Responsibilities Interprets laws, regulations and policies necessary to implement a quality workers compensation program and to ensure controls and compliance with laws, regulations and policies. Ensures compliance with procedures for operations and program maintenance of the FECA program. Conducts initial review and processing for traumatic and occupational injury claims within Army worldwide. Ensures that claims are processed within specific timelines and according to regulatory requirements. Informs employees on procedures to obtain payment of bills and reimbursement of expenditures due to their injury. Coordinates and works with local personnel office to identify vacant positions for potential placement of employees on compensation. Closely reviews claims for possible fraud and coordinates with appropriate investigative personnel in cases involving fraud or abuse of the program. Serves as a key member on FECA committees, providing facts concerning conditions of coverage, continuation of pay, medical benefits and care, long-term disability claims, agency management of compensation claims, trends, etc. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Who May Apply : Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. In order to qualify, you must meet the education / experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; community; student). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Qualifications for the GS-05 grade level : General Experience : Three years progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level, which includes analyze problems to identify significant factors; gather data; recognize solutions; plan and organize work; communicate effectively orally and in writing. This definition of general experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade / level position in the federal service (GS-04). Qualifications for the GS-07 grade level : Specialized Experience : One year of specialized experience which includes conduct work servicing customers using telephone and personal computer applications; communicate rights and entitlements to civilian FECA benefits; interpret guidelines, regulations, and directives concerning workers' compensation; prepare routine correspondence for customers to resolve workers' compensation issues; calculate cost savings; document FECA cost savings in electronic system. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade / level position in the federal service (GS-05). Qualifications for the GS-09 grade level : Specialized Experience : One year of specialized experience which includes interpret guidelines, regulations, and directives concerning workers' compensation benefits, utilize multiple electronic systems (DIUCS, ECOMP, AQS); process and research workers' compensation benefits and entitlements; review quarterly chargeback reports and identify and report any discrepancies, identify and refer fraudulent claims for investigation, prepare correspondence to resolve workers' compensation issues, manage all FECA claims; monitor recovery of employees for return to work, develop quarterly FECA working group slides; schedule quarterly meetings. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade / level position in the federal service (GS-07). Qualifications for the GS-11 grade level : Specialized Experience : One year of specialized experience which includes interpret guidelines, regulations, and directives concerning moderately complex worker's compensation benefits; utilize the Defense Civilian Personnel Data System (DCPDS) and the automated interface with the Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS), as it pertains to worker's compensation; inform employees about entitlements and use of grievance or appeal procedures; manage complex FECA claims; monitor recovery of employees for return to work. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade / level position in the federal service (GS-09). You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas : Time in Grade Requirement (TIG) for GS-05 : Generally, candidates meet time in grade for the GS-05 level if he / she has not served on a temporary competitive appointment below the GS-03 level within preceding 52 weeks. TIG for GS-07 : Applicants who have held a GS position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-05). TIG for GS-09 : Applicants who have held a GS position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07). TIG for GS-11 : Applicants who have held a GS position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09). Education FOREIGN EDUCATION : If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit : Education Substitution at the GS05 Level : Education : Four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. OR Combination of Education and Experience : A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 36. Then divide your total number of completed undergraduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 120. Add the two percentages. Education Substitution at the GS07 Level : Education : One full 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 Management, Organizational Leadership or Business Administration. OR Superior Academic Achievement : Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. [Note : Remove the words "such as that identified in Education above" if the position you are filling does not require education in specific fields found in an Individual Occupational Requirement.] Superior Academic Achievement is based on : (1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B " or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (). OR Combination of Education and Experience : A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. Education Substitution at the GS09 grade level : Education : Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as : Human Resources Management, Organizational Leadership or Business Administration. OR Combination of Education and Experience : A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Education Substitution at the GS11 grade level : Education : Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience : A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial / probationary period may be required. Direct deposit of pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a(n) 10 Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests : If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here :