The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides operations support services and business solutions to the community of 10,000 House Members, Officers and staff. The CAO organization comprises more than 600 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, child care, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel.
The incumbent serves as a Benefits Generalist, and is responsible for activities in the areas of Benefits, Retirement and Payroll. This position is in the Benefits section of the Office of Payroll and Benefits.
The incumbent to this position will advise and assist current and former House employees on Federal benefits issues and general retirement inquiries; counsel employees on FERS, FEGLI, TSP, health benefit coverage to include FEHB as well as Affordable Care Act, and analyze Service Computation Dates.
In addition, maintains proficient knowledge in one or more specialty areas. Provides ongoing counseling to stakeholders in his or her area of expertise and carries out administrative procedures with respect to those areas. No budgetary or supervisory/managerial responsibilities.
The incumbent’s pay grade and compensation level are determined based on applicable professional experience, job knowledge, past performance, assigned level of responsibility, in comparison to local market rates of pay for equivalent criteria within the applicable discipline.
Summary
The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides operations support services and business solutions to the community of 10,000 House Members, Officers and staff. The CAO organization comprises more than 600 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, child care, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel.
The incumbent serves as a Benefits Generalist, and is responsible for activities in the areas of Benefits, Retirement and Payroll. This position is in the Benefits section of the Office of Payroll and Benefits.
The incumbent to this position will advise and assist current and former House employees on Federal benefits issues and general retirement inquiries; counsel employees on FERS, FEGLI, TSP, health benefit coverage to include FEHB as well as Affordable Care Act, and analyze Service Computation Dates.
In addition, maintains proficient knowledge in one or more specialty areas. Provides ongoing counseling to stakeholders in his or her area of expertise and carries out administrative procedures with respect to those areas. No budgetary or supervisory/managerial responsibilities.
The incumbent’s pay grade and compensation level are determined based on applicable professional experience, job knowledge, past performance, assigned level of responsibility, in comparison to local market rates of pay for equivalent criteria within the applicable discipline.
• The incumbent will develop and use an outreach plan and calendar of periodic visits to offices, and operates as part of the Payroll and Benefits Front Desk as scheduled. Conducts proactive outreach to counsel and instruct Leadership, Member, Committee offices and House Officers and their staff on services described below and seasonal topics of importance to the execution of benefits and retirement.
• Provides counseling and assistance services in person, by email and telephone described in one or more of the following specialty areas:
1) Health Insurance: Counsels employees regarding enrollment requirements, either through the Federal arena or DC Health Link (Affordable Care Act), costs and other matters related to health benefits. Processes applications. Organizes annual Open Season Health Benefits Fair.
2) Student Loan: Counsels current House employees on the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Assists employees in completing forms, obtaining approval and understanding their benefits and obligation. Administers the SLRP program files to ensure monthly execution of program as outlined.
3) Life Insurance: Counsels current and former House employees regarding life insurance benefits. Makes adjustments to payroll system related to life insurance.
4) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Counsels current and former House employees on TSP. Determines eligibility; processes related elections, cancellations and terminations. Reviews enrollment forms. Prepares TSP “termination packets” for separated employees.
5) Retirement: Develop working knowledge of how to estimate expected retirement benefits for employees. Assists employees in preparing retirement applications and related documentation; deposits, re-deposits, voluntary contributions, catch-up contributions, and military service credit.
6) Leave and Benefits Records: Calculates Service Computation Date (SCD) for leave accrual purposes for newly appointed employees with prior federal service. Verifies prior federal service, and verifies benefits for these employees. When necessary, corrects benefits and payroll records.
7) Death Benefits: Determines the benefits to which survivors of deceased employees may be entitled, including life insurance, gratuity, spousal benefit for retirement, and TSP. Assists survivors in preparing and filing claims. Processes claims.
• Reviews documents relating to proposed personnel appointments, changes or separation actions which affect the pay and benefits of employees. Makes complex pay adjustments which may involve transfers between offices differing in pay, leave, and benefit entitlements and which may be retroactive over an extended period of time. Conducts validation and reconciliation to assure accuracy, conformity and adherence to regulations.
• Keeps House employees informed of benefit changes/corrections and assists in completing forms and meeting filing deadlines.
• Uses the Customer Tracking System (CTS2) to document and manage issue resolution and follow-up.
Five or more years experience in a Federal benefits or related environment required.
Bachelors degree preferred; comparable combination of education and demonstrated work experience required. CPP, FPC, HPR, GBA, RPA or CEBS preferred.
Must have knowledge of the following as a minimum:
• Core benefits, retirement planning and payroll concepts to include employment taxes, employee benefits, employee and employer forms including the purpose of each form, methods and timing of pay, worker classification criteria, FLSA, ERISA, deductions related to benefits and retirement, customer services principles, and professional responsibility by staying abreast of provider plan changes and legislative and regulatory changes.
• Compliance in reporting and regulatory requirements as well as knowledge of record retention.
• Principles of paycheck calculations to include knowledge and ability to calculate all pay. Ability to calculate all taxes, net pay and disposable earnings.
• Payroll process and systems to include payroll concepts and functionalities such as interfaces, system data edits, employee self service, and knowledge of computer functionality.
• Understanding of the ethics associated with processing sensitive payroll and benefit documents and the ability to keep personal payroll information confidential at all times.
Must have a desire to provide passionate customer service and a minimum five years experience working in a customer service environment.
Experience in Legislative Branch programs preferred.
Qualifications
Five or more years experience in a Federal benefits or related environment required.
Bachelors degree preferred; comparable combination of education and demonstrated work experience required. CPP, FPC, HPR, GBA, RPA or CEBS preferred.
Must have knowledge of the following as a minimum:
• Core benefits, retirement planning and payroll concepts to include employment taxes, employee benefits, employee and employer forms including the purpose of each form, methods and timing of pay, worker classification criteria, FLSA, ERISA, deductions related to benefits and retirement, customer services principles, and professional responsibility by staying abreast of provider plan changes and legislative and regulatory changes.
• Compliance in reporting and regulatory requirements as well as knowledge of record retention.
• Principles of paycheck calculations to include knowledge and ability to calculate all pay. Ability to calculate all taxes, net pay and disposable earnings.
• Payroll process and systems to include payroll concepts and functionalities such as interfaces, system data edits, employee self service, and knowledge of computer functionality.
• Understanding of the ethics associated with processing sensitive payroll and benefit documents and the ability to keep personal payroll information confidential at all times.
Must have a desire to provide passionate customer service and a minimum five years experience working in a customer service environment.
Experience in Legislative Branch programs preferred.
Education
Bachelors degree preferred; comparable combination of education and demonstrated work experience required. CPP, FPC, HPR, GBA, RPA or CEBS preferred.
Additional information
Hiring for this position is governed by the Veteran's Employment Opportunities Act. Applicants seeking veterans’ preference consideration should contact a CAO Human Resources representative at CAOHumanResources@mail.house.gov for further information.
Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactorily completing a criminal history records check (or other applicable security clearance) and a pre-employment drug-test (pre-identified position only).
Title 1 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S. C app§ 101 et seq.) requires certain House employees, to file Financial Disclosure Statements, for information please visit http://clerk.house.gov/public_disc/financial.aspx.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Highly qualified candidates will be evaluated based on a structured interview.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
If you are unable to submit your resume online, please fax a cover letter and resume (reference announcement #FIN-006-18) to 202-226-7514.
For information concerning the CAO’s collection of personal information, please see http://cao.house.gov/privacy. Hiring for this position is governed by the Veteran's Employment Opportunities Act. Applicants seeking veterans’ preference consideration should contact a CAO Human Resources representative at CAOHumanResources@mail.house.gov for further information.
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.
If you are unable to submit your resume online, please fax a cover letter and resume (reference announcement #FIN-006-18) to 202-226-7514.
For information concerning the CAO’s collection of personal information, please see http://cao.house.gov/privacy. Hiring for this position is governed by the Veteran's Employment Opportunities Act. Applicants seeking veterans’ preference consideration should contact a CAO Human Resources representative at CAOHumanResources@mail.house.gov for further information.
