This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/523338700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position is located in the Department of Labor (DOL), Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), in the Office of Health Plan Standards & Compliance Assistance (OHPSCA), a major component of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), which administers and secures compliance with Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
- This position is inside the bargaining unit.
02/04/2019 to 02/21/2019
$114,590 - $148,967 per year
GS 14
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - The employee may travel once or twice per year.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
14 - This position is at the Full Promotion Potential (FPL).
No
No
MS-19-HRC-EBSA-077
523338700
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current/former Federal employees w/competitive/reinstatement eligibility; ICTAP and CTAP eligible in the local commuting area; VEOA eligible. Qualified Land Management Eligibles . Also advertised as job #DE-19-HRC-EBSA-077 for non-status applicants; to be considered for each, apply to BOTH jobs.
This position is located in the Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance Assistance (OHPSCA), a major component of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), which administers and secures compliance with Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). OHPSCA's mission is to plan, direct, and carry out a program to provide policy and technical guidance regarding the positions of ERISA and other laws affecting group health plans.
The incumbent serves as an Employee Benefits Law Specialist. As a technical expert in OHPSCA, the incumbent: (1) drafts major precedent-setting and far-reaching interpretations, variances, opinions, and guidance concerning the group health plan provisions of ERISA; (2) provides technical advice and assistance to other components of EBSA and DOL, HHS, IRS, Treasury, the Executive Office of the President (EOP), other Federal and state agencies, and the public; (3) conducts extensive research; (4) recommends office policies and positions; (5) actively participates in the planning and execution of major regulation projects and other projects involving interpretations, advisory opinion, procedures, and forms; and (6) reviews work and provides guidance to lower level specialists in OHPSCA.
Major duties for this position include but are not limited to, the following:
Develops and writes complex and far-reaching interpretations, opinions, involved in applying ERISA and related laws to case situations and issues.
Evaluates and determines the sufficiency of the information, documents and arguments and issues submitted by plan administrators, fiduciaries, industry groups, plan participants and beneficiaries and their representatives, employers, employees, and special interest groups.
Performs research and evaluation needed in fact-finding and policy development, and drafts the rule-making documents for publication in the Federal Register. Analyzes and evaluates public comments, assesses data from a wide variety of sources, writes issue papers, and recommends agency actions or positions at appropriate stages of the project.
Conducts research and analyzes legal and policy precedent (i.e., including a review of relevant legislative history, existing law, regulations, agency opinions, court and administrative rules) to ensure that proposed positions are consistent with those previously developed.
Formulates and executes major regulatory and policy review and development projects which may require the incumbent to coordinate efforts of other ERISA, tax, legal and health care specialists to analyze complicated information; describe and compare policy alternatives; assess economic and political constraints; and present findings to policy makers, plan officials and the public.
Serves as a liaison and authoritative source of information and provides technical advice and guidance to other DOL offices, Congress, other Federal and state agencies, plan officials and representatives industry, health care, insurance, labor organizations and the public regarding the statutory and regulatory requirements governing ERISA.
Maintains liaison with the senior personnel of other Federal agencies including HHS, IRS, Treasury, as well as EOP and: (1) secures and furnishes technical advice or assistance; (2) provides interpretive guidance; and (3) identifies, differences in the interpretation of ERISA, PPACA, HIPAA, COBRA, GINA, WHCRA, Newborn' and Mothers' Health Protection Action Act, MHPAEA and an array of related laws affecting group health plans, potential regulatory or policy conflicts, and other problems of mutual concern.
Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.
Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.
Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.
GS-14: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, in the Federal Service.
Specialized experience is defined as: Progressively responsible experience that demonstrated the ability to perform work in the field of employee benefit plans and/or health insurance. Such experience may have been gained in (1) management, administration, development, analysis, audit, financial management, or termination of such plans; or (2) in closely related work, such as health insurance.
Specialized experience may have been gained in government, employee benefit plan administration or consulting, a law firm, an actuarial or accounting firm, a labor union, a relevant trade association or research service, or an insurance company. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
Education is not a substitute for experience at the GS-14 grade level.
DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.
Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.
Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
Additional vacancies may be filled using this announcement, if authorized.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #23 and 26 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP/CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.
Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:
Oral/Written Communication - Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a clear, succinct, and organized manner.
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving - Employs common sense approaches to problem solving, e.g. identifying and considering issues, determining accuracy and relevance of information, as well as implementing alternative solution approaches, to resolve issues, deliver services and provide value.
Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, professionalism, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness, even with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed. Demonstrates team effectiveness with sensitivity to the differences of others; e.g. diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences .
Technical Competence - Knowledge and application of the laws, regulations, court proceedings, precedents, interpretations, and exemptions governing ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code and the operation of employee benefit plans.
The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.
The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents. Follow the instructions: click How To Submit Supplemental Documentation Document.
The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action” which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.
*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.
- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.
- Land Management Eligibles: a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here.
The following documents are required if applicable:
- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility.
- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) and showing character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)
- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted
Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Note: If you are unsure, refer to your last or most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) or ask your servicing Human Resources Specialist.) If you don’t know what type of appointment you are on, you may find copies of your SF-50s in your electronic personnel folder (eOPF).
Follow the steps below to apply. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents MUST be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to receive consideration. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Click here for information on Reasonable Accommodations.
SAVE your information before the 30 MINUTE TIMEOUT! For help, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/.
STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account on www.usajobs.gov, including Resume and Saved Documents
Your resume must provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If not, HR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the competency indicated by resume content. FOR EACH EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, include: start/end month & year and note full-time or part-time (if part-time, include # of hours worked per week); otherwise, your application may be considered incomplete.
STEP 2 - Complete the 1st part of the application process (USAJOBS)
Once you have identified a job on www.usajobs.gov that you wish to apply for, click on the title and click the Apply button . For questions about the vacancy, contact the Agency Contact at the bottom of the announcement. Click “Start Application” and proceed through 5 steps noted at the top of the USAJOBS page. You will be able to select a resume and documents from your USAJOBS Account that you can submit as a package as part of your DOL application. At Step 5, click “Continue to Agency Site”.
STEP 3 – Complete the 2nd part of the application process (DOL)
On the Department of Labor (DOL) page, create a DOL Account if you have not already and click “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”. Continue through the 7 progress steps indicated by circles at the top of the DOL page. The 3rd progress step is where you answer the vacancy specific questions. The 4th progress step "Documents" is where you submit required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.
STEP 4 – On the “Review and Submit” step, click “Submit Application”
The last “Confirmation” step will turn green noting that your application was submitted successfully.
STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Closing Date by returning to USAJOBS, clicking the vacancy, then “Update Application”.
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and refer candidates for selection consideration. Candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, go to Step 7 on: Using DOORS and USAJOBS Help Guide. To sign up for Application Status Updates via email: Click Here for instructions.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/523338700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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