The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Benefits Specialist.
This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Benefits Specialist, GS-0301-12 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Summary
The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Benefits Specialist.
This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Benefits Specialist, GS-0301-12 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
This vacancy is also being announced concurrently with vacancy announcement FRTIB-24-AS-011-12234837 under Merit Promotion procedures.
The major duties of the position are:
Receives escalated inquires that TSP participants, beneficiaries, and third parties have sent to the FRTIB via a variety of communication channels including emails, letters, phone calls, and social media.
Reviews exception processing requests forwarded by recordkeeper, gathers pertinent case data and facts to present recommendations to FRTIB management. Memorializes precedent decisions for recordkeeper's future use in deciding exception processing requests.
Escalates priority cases to recordkeeper for urgent attention and initiates root causes analysis. Maintains internal log of priority escalated cases to track and report recordkeeper resolution status and root cause analysis results to FRTIB stakeholders.
Analyzes escalated inquires to determine level of priority, logs the escalated inquiries into the recordkeeper's case management system to create an escalated case, and monitors the recordkeeper's workflow tasks to ensure the recordkeeper's resolution outcomes are accurate, complete, timely and responsive to issues raised, and are consistent with TSP rules and regulations and Agency policies, procedures, and objectives.
This is a temporary, competitive service appointment that is being offered on a "term" basis, not to exceed 2 Years. The Agency has the option of extending this TERM appointment up to a 4-year limit. Appointment to this position will not convey permanent status in the Federal service. A term appointment may be terminated at any time prior to the initial end date of the appointment.
U.S. Citizenship is required.
All qualification requirements must be met by 01/12/2024. Your application package will not receive consideration if it is missing any of the required documents under the "Required Documents" tab.
Probationary Period. One-year probationary period may be required.
Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
Background Suitability Investigation. Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a federal suitability or security clearance. If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position applicants must meet the Specialized Experience as described below.
Specialized Experience:Applicants must have at least one year of full-time specialized work experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level, GS-11, in the federal government. Specialized experience is defined as: ability to extract and analyze information from various sources to ensure appeal case decisions and the recordkeeper's escalated case resolution outcomes are accurate, complete, timely and responsive to issues raised, and are consistent with Agency rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and objectives, and the ability to draw conclusions, summarize results, and make appropriate recommendations that impact the Agency and the way it conducts its mission responsibilities, and Ability to research, compile, and analyze information and data from a variety of sources, and the ability to draw conclusions, summarize results, and make appropriate recommendations that impact the Agency and the way it conducts its mission responsibilities through the recordkeeper's case management system..
*Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Education
Education may not be substituted for experience for this series and grade combination.
Additional information
The FRTIB offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off*, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the 3-tier federal retirement system. The FRTIB also has wonderful benefits and work/life-balance flexibilities that may be right for you. We offer, if applicable:
Flexible work schedule options. The FRTIB offers three flexible work schedules, the Gliding Schedule, the Flexible 5-4/9 Schedule, and the Maxiflex Work Schedule. All work schedules allow for an arrival time between 6:00 and 10:00 am. Employees on the Gliding Schedule work 8 hours. Employees on the Flexible 5-4/9 Schedule work eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day in each biweekly pay period, and receive one scheduled day off. Employees on the Maxiflex Work Schedule work between 4 and 10 hours per day, and core work hours apply; the latest departure time under Maxiflex is 8 pm.
FRTIB's telework policy allows for up to (3) days of telework per week for eligible positions.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides employees with free confidential assistance for help with personal issues that may be affecting work life. The program also provides consultation to supervisors who are trying to best help an employee with performance and/or attendance problems.
Work Life 4 You. The FRTIB provides all employees and their family members with access to the Federal Occupational Health managed referral and information service to assist in dealing with life, family, health, education, work, and finance. This service is provided at no cost to the employee.
*Annual and sick leave (paid time off). Employees of the FRTIB accrue both annual and sick leave depending on years of service with the federal government. Annual leave may be used for vacation or other personal reasons. Sick leave may be used when you are ill, when you have a doctor, dental, or optical appointment, or when you need to provide care to an ill family member.
Fitness center. The FRTIB employees, at no cost, have access to the fitness center conveniently located on the main level of the building featuring state of the art weight training and cardiovascular equipment.
Fitness Membership Reimbursement Program. FRTIB will reimburse employees up to $300 per year for an individual membership fee to a commercial, non-federally sponsored fitness center or virtual equivalent.
Extensive training programs and tools supportive of enhancing organization effectiveness and employee development.
A monthly transit subsidy for a portion of your commuting costs to help defray the commuting costs of employees who use mass transportation, including commuter bus, Metrorail or Metrobus, or commuter rail systems.
Child care program. The FRTIB's childcare subsidy program offers up to $600 in monthly subsidy paid to qualified child care providers of employees meeting the eligibility requirements.
Student loan repayment or recruitment bonus, when applicable.
The FRTIB offices are conveniently located within a few blocks of the Union Station metro station. In addition, private parking is available in the building at the posted daily and monthly rates.
Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position; however, other recruitment incentives may be authorized.
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.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the above qualifications.
Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Customer Service
Teamwork
Written Communication
Customer Service, Teamwork, and Written Communication
For Delegated Exam referral lists, Category Rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. The category assignment is a measurement of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified.
Best Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most requirements of the position.
Well Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and meets most requirements of the position.
Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not possess the relevant competencies to a substantive degree.
If you are found Best Qualified for this vacancy your application may be referred to the selecting official for further review.
The Category Rating process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).
When a sufficient pool of candidates has been determined only members of that group will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
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.
Veterans' Preference. If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit supporting documentation as described in the "Required Documents" section. Visit the Feds Hire Vets website for more information regarding veterans' preference.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and you are found Well Qualified for this vacancy. Well Qualified means you must meet all the minimum qualification standards listed above and be assessed and assigned the rating of at least Well Qualified to receive special selection priority. Well Qualified is further defined as possessing the Basic Qualifications and meeting the specialized experience noted above.
You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition website.
Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB:
1. Resume(please include on your resume the experience you wish to be considered for the review of your qualifications, the dates of employment with month, day and year, and hours worked per week). Resumes that do not contain all of the necessary information to determine qualifications may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. Your latest resume submission is the one that will be used to determine your qualifications.
2. Responses to the occupational questionnaire.
3. You must submit supporting documents verifying your selection priority eligibility or any preference eligibility along with your application package. Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you. These documents may include, but are not limited to:
Veteran's documentation. All veterans must submit a DD-214, Member Copy 4. If you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
Preference eligible documentation. If claiming 10-point preference you must submit the final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information), as well as the DD-214 Member Copy 4. The SF-15 will be requested if selected.
ICTAP documentation. RIF separation notice along with your last performance rating or appraisal.
4. College transcripts. Transcripts must be legible and possess the school name imprinted on the transcript or be on school letterhead; you may be asked to submit official transcripts upon selection.
You must apply through the USAJOBS online job application system. Complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/12/2024 to receive consideration.
*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to 01/12/2024.
*To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
*To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Note to applicants: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit additional documentation from what is being requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your application:
Diplomas of any type (when education documents are required, you must submit unofficial transcripts, not diplomas)
Letters of recommendation, reference, or congratulations, etc.
Any documents with a picture of the applicant
Awards documentation, including SF-50's for awards
Performance appraisals (only ICTAP eligible applicants need to submit their latest performance appraisal)
Evaluations of any type
This and other positions announced by the FRTIB may be filled under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority used to appoint persons with severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disabilities. Such individuals may qualify for conversion to permanent status after two years of satisfactory service. Documentation of disability is required, e.g., Schedule A letter. Such documentation is used to verify the individual being hired is indeed a person with a severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disability. This documentation must be provided to the hiring agency at the time of application, before an individual can be hired. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (e.g., state or private); or any federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Submission of a VA letter does not automatically qualify as a Schedule A letter. The vacancy announcement you are viewing is a competitive announcement, therefore, if you wish to be considered under the Schedule A authority you may continue with the application process online or email your supporting documentation and resume to Steven.Brown@FRTIB.gov for consideration.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding submission of an alternate application.
Office of Participant Experience
Office of Participant Experience
77 K Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review. If your name is referred to the selecting official, you may be contacted directly by the office for a possible interview. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJOBS profile.
When the entire vacancy announcement process has been completed you will receive notice via email (or by mail if no email address was provided during the application process). Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after the vacancy has closed to inquire about the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Veterans' Preference. If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit supporting documentation as described in the "Required Documents" section. Visit the Feds Hire Vets website for more information regarding veterans' preference.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and you are found Well Qualified for this vacancy. Well Qualified means you must meet all the minimum qualification standards listed above and be assessed and assigned the rating of at least Well Qualified to receive special selection priority. Well Qualified is further defined as possessing the Basic Qualifications and meeting the specialized experience noted above.
You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition website.
Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB:
1. Resume(please include on your resume the experience you wish to be considered for the review of your qualifications, the dates of employment with month, day and year, and hours worked per week). Resumes that do not contain all of the necessary information to determine qualifications may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position. Your latest resume submission is the one that will be used to determine your qualifications.
2. Responses to the occupational questionnaire.
3. You must submit supporting documents verifying your selection priority eligibility or any preference eligibility along with your application package. Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you. These documents may include, but are not limited to:
Veteran's documentation. All veterans must submit a DD-214, Member Copy 4. If you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
Preference eligible documentation. If claiming 10-point preference you must submit the final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information), as well as the DD-214 Member Copy 4. The SF-15 will be requested if selected.
ICTAP documentation. RIF separation notice along with your last performance rating or appraisal.
4. College transcripts. Transcripts must be legible and possess the school name imprinted on the transcript or be on school letterhead; you may be asked to submit official transcripts upon selection.
You must apply through the USAJOBS online job application system. Complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/12/2024 to receive consideration.
*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to 01/12/2024.
*To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
*To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Note to applicants: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit additional documentation from what is being requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your application:
Diplomas of any type (when education documents are required, you must submit unofficial transcripts, not diplomas)
Letters of recommendation, reference, or congratulations, etc.
Any documents with a picture of the applicant
Awards documentation, including SF-50's for awards
Performance appraisals (only ICTAP eligible applicants need to submit their latest performance appraisal)
Evaluations of any type
This and other positions announced by the FRTIB may be filled under Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority used to appoint persons with severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disabilities. Such individuals may qualify for conversion to permanent status after two years of satisfactory service. Documentation of disability is required, e.g., Schedule A letter. Such documentation is used to verify the individual being hired is indeed a person with a severe physical, psychiatric, and/or intellectual disability. This documentation must be provided to the hiring agency at the time of application, before an individual can be hired. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (e.g., state or private); or any federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Submission of a VA letter does not automatically qualify as a Schedule A letter. The vacancy announcement you are viewing is a competitive announcement, therefore, if you wish to be considered under the Schedule A authority you may continue with the application process online or email your supporting documentation and resume to Steven.Brown@FRTIB.gov for consideration.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding submission of an alternate application.
Office of Participant Experience
Office of Participant Experience
77 K Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review. If your name is referred to the selecting official, you may be contacted directly by the office for a possible interview. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJOBS profile.
When the entire vacancy announcement process has been completed you will receive notice via email (or by mail if no email address was provided during the application process). Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after the vacancy has closed to inquire about the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
