Clarification from the agency

This is a Title 5 excepted position. IAW UTNGR 690-12 dated 19 APR 2018 and LIUNA-UTARNG CBA dated 11 NOV 2018, Priority will be given to all current, onboard employees of the UTNG. This job announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies for additional positions vacated during the job bid process.

This position is located in the Human Resources Office (HRO). The primary purpose of the position is to provide technical, procedural, and evaluative assistance in the area of employee benefits, performance management, and/or compensation for both Army and Air National Guard organizations. Performs work in one or more of the above human resources specialties. Accomplishes work through the use of an automated personnel system.

Major Duties: This is not an all-inclusive list

As a HR SPEC (Title 5), GS-0201-7/9, you will:

• Provides technical guidance and procedural assistance to managers, supervisors, and employees in executing a variety of employee benefits' programs, which may include workers' compensation, health and life benefits, Thrift Savings Program (TSP), awards, performance management, retirement, etc.
• Develops and carries out specific projects to accomplish the technical support mission of the Human Resources Office.
• Advises supervisors and employees on regulatory requirements of the programs and develops instructions.
• Reviews and interprets policies, directives, and other issuances by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), National Guard (NGB), Department of Labor (DOL), and outside control agencies for applicability to activities serviced.
• Takes appropriate action to comply with such directives and guidance or refers the matters to the proper functional staff for action. Coordinates publication of local policies and regulations.
• Serves as a technical expert in matters regarding employees' claims for Workers Compensation.
• Serves as the Injury Compensation Program Administrator and primary point of contact for the Federal Employee's Compensation Act (FECA) program for facilities at numerous statewide locations.
• Investigates facts and develops cases relative to on-the-job injuries, illnesses, processes non-routine and routine claims which require identifying and substantiating information; and compiles pertinent information for use in filing, as well as controverting claims.
• Assists in administering the retirement programs for technicians desiring to retire under any of the retirement systems.
• Processes retirement actions, which are moderately complex, non-controversial, and/or recurring cases related to both the Federal Employees Retirement System and the Civil Services Retirement Systems.
• Provides counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the complex retirement insurance benefits, entitlements/options. Interprets, applies, and explains to employees retirement and insurance laws, regulations, and policies.
• Provides counseling to management, employees, and beneficiaries regarding program coverage, options, variances in coverage, and advantages and disadvantages of benefits.
• Conducts new employee orientations covering numerous aspects of the technician program.
• Advises individuals' taking AGR tours of their restoration rights during out-processing.
• Serves as authority within the HRO for TSP, counsels and advises employees throughout their employment concerning participation in the plan.
• Assists in administering the performance management program within the state to include state level procedures and appraisal system.
• Provides advice and assistance to supervisors and managers on preparation of performance standards and appraisals.
• Serves as Executive Secretary for the employee recognition awards program. Assists in developing and providing managers and
  supervisors with guidance on program procedures.
• Reviews award nominations requests to assure ratings and justification for recommendations meet regulatory requirements.
• Provides technical guidance and procedural advice on flexibility's and appropriate uses of leave issues such as sick leave for family care and bereavement, compensatory, advanced leave, leave without pay, absence without leave, and military leave.
• Interprets guidance and regulations to provide procedural advice to management and employees on pay schedule adjustments, severance pay, back pay, debts and compensation.
• Coordinates with United State Property and Fiscal Office and Defense Finance and Accounting Service on a large variety of personnel actions affecting employee's pay.
• Composes letters or summaries relating to a variety of employee benefits/performance management matters.
• Develops, modifies, and conducts presentation of basic and/or refresher training in employee benefits and compensation procedures such as injury compensation, incentive awards, retirement, TSP, etc. Serves in the absence of the higher graded specialist.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• Must obtain the appropriate security clearance within one year of appointment.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• Must have and maintain an appropriate security clearance.
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
• The incumbent of this position description must have, at a minimum, a completed National Agency Check (NAC) prior to position assignment.
• Irregular and overtime hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies.
• This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.

Qualifications

*Your resume must reflect in detail how the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer meets the below listed general and specialized experience required for the position.

**Must include beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week in order to determine part time vs. full time credit.

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Skilled in collecting and analyzing data effectively, efficiently, and accurately;
• Ability to clearly enunciate English without impediment of speech that would interfere or prohibit efficient communication;
• Ability to write English in reports and presentation formats;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively;
• Skilled in presenting formal training presentations and briefings;
• Ability to assess body language and perceive emotional and/or distress levels; and,
• Skilled in applying procedures and directives by reading and interpreting program material.

• Have basic knowledge competency of human resources business elements and can discuss terminology, concepts, merit principles, and issues related to this competency.
• Experienced in using reference and resource materials and experienced in program functions such as, maintaining personnel records, counseling, or classification and assignments.
• Experiences may include performing personnel functions associated with preparing and maintaining position descriptions and manual records, personnel classification or usage, quality force management, managing personnel records and researching record data.
• Experienced in operating a computer, utilizing multiple computer programs, and performing keyboard functions.
• Must have at least three months experience, education, or training which provided a basic working knowledge of personnel programs.

• Working knowledge of National Guard missions, organizations, and federal civilian or military personnel programs.
• Experiences in executing personnel programs and Human Resources Information Systems, as Must have at least six months of experience with human resources programs related to federal civilian or military personnel programs.
• Must have experiences in executing personnel programs and Human Resources Information Systems, as applicable to the specific position and its position description.
• Must have knowledge and understanding of the personnel and manpower core competencies: Organization Structure; Requirements Determination; Program Allocation and Control; and, Performance Improvement.
• Have a working knowledge of organizational structures; manpower standards; manpower resources; manpower data systems; or, commercial services to include strategic sourcing.
• Experienced in performing personnel program requirements that involve advising supervisors and managers; and, experienced in completing accession planning and processing; classification and position management; and, civilian promotions.
• Experienced in advertising positions, processing assignments or reassignment actions; reviewing human resources development programs; applying education and training policy requirements; discussing retraining procedures; and/or providing retirement options. Competent in discussing the equal opportunity and sexual assault prevention and response programs.
• Have experiences in career counseling; completing or editing performance evaluations; and, conducting educational and skill development personnel course programs.
• Competent in merit principles, personnel plans, programs, and policies to guide or advise others on their implementation activities.
• Skilled in applying program policies, directives, publications, and training manuals. Knowledgeable on allocating manpower resource budgets or execution procedures.
• Experienced in performance management and productivity programs; or, advising on process improvement, best practices, and performance techniques.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Category Rating: Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your qualifications will be conducted to determine if you are qualified for this job. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are:

1. Highly Qualified: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for this position.
2. Well Qualified: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for this position.
3. Qualified: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements for this position.

Your rating will be based on both your entire application package as well as the responses to the assessment questionnaire. Please note that if, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your category rating can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.