hr spec

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE NON-BARGAINING UNIT POSITION.

This National Guard position is for an HR SPEC (EMPL BEN), PD Number
T5018000 and is part of the Montana Army National Guard, HRO.

(PD can be obtained from HRO.)

Selected candidates will NOT be required to be a member of the Montana Army National Guard.

Selecting Official:
Brandy Renenger
Also advertised as Supervisor HR Specialist: MT T CAT 1-6, Veterans' Preference DOES NOT apply)

Duties

This position is located in the Joint Force Headquarters - State, Manpower and Personnel Directorate (J-1), Human Resources Office.

Incumbent is responsible for administration of the Federal employee benefits and retirement programs.

Provides technical support on employee benefits covering the following areas:

Federal Employee Health Benefits; Federal Employee Group Life Insurance; Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP); death benefits; and the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program and Employee Benefits Information System (EBIS).

Advises and counsels individual employees on all aspects of retirement benefits and coverage under CSRS and FERS.

Advises on creditable service and retirement eligibility, estimates annuities using the Army Benefits Center - Civilian (ABC-C) approved calculator, advises on continuing enrollment in Federal life and health insurance programs in retirement, and death-survivor benefits.

Upon management or HRO staff request, verifies and determines employees' eligibility for Voluntary Separation Incentives (VSIP and VERA), and provides retirement counseling to employees approved by management for VSIP or VERA.

Provides technical information and guidance for employees to make informed decisions. Interprets and applies current regulations, policies, and procedures to advise employees and managers regarding all retirement programs. Serves as liaison with ABC-C to assist employees with their retirement applications.

Additionally, to resolve problems, the employee may also contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Retirement and Insurance Group, the DOD Field Advisory Services, Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS), the Federal Thrift Investment Board, and other government agencies chartered to manage and administer the Federal benefits programs.

Administers the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) and Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) programs. Resolves complex insurance problems and issues that require substantial knowledge of Federal insurance laws, regulations, and procedures. Coordinates with the ABC-C, when necessary, to resolve problems. Distributes health benefits brochures and enrollment forms to employees and managers.

Counsels and advises employees regarding the immediate and long-term advantages of participating in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and procedures for enrolling, changing or cancelling TSP participation.

Serves as the HRO's Survivor Assistance expert for technician employees.

The incumbent evaluates the situation of each individual preparing to retire or beneficiary requesting survivor assistance under one of the two retirement systems.

Advises survivors of deceased employee on their benefits and procedural requirements to include assisting with the preparation of required forms.

Provides an official estimated monthly survivor annuity, if any, using ABC-C approved tool.

Administers the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program ensuring that announcements for eligible leave recipients are disseminated to all employees; reviewing donor applications and checking that all required documents are attached; having donor applications approved; and sending donor packages to payroll for processing.

Arranges training on retirement, health benefits, life insurance benefits, and open seasons. Coordinates training with OPM, DOD Field Advisory Services, NGB, private contractors, and other Federal agencies. Publicizes Federal employee benefits and retirement program information to the workforce. Continually reviews legislative, policy, and operational guidance for impact on the Federal benefits program, management, and administration. Provides informational materials to employees and managers to keep them apprised of requirements and changes in these various programs.

Assists the HRO Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) program manager in administering the National Guard Technician Office of Workers' Compensation Program (OWCP) FECA program.

Reviews, analyzes, and interprets injury compensation standards established by Congress and the Department of Labor (DOL). Implements activity injury compensation regulations, court decisions, Department of Defense and DA policy, and all other regulatory sources.

Assists the OWCP program manager in preparing briefings and publicity materials to ensure that supervisors and employees are fully and currently informed.

Provides advice on OWCP claims, costs, and trends. Initiates action to correct errors identified in the DOL quarterly compensation rolls.

Works with managers and supervisors to controvert claims the activity perceives as unjustified under applicable regulations and precedent Employee Compensation Appeal Board decisions.

Reviews FECA claim cases during initial and post-injury phases to monitor the use of continuation of pay and to ensure that only substantiated and eligible injured technicians are placed on the OWCP compensation rolls.

---