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HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS)

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Personnel Center

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

(Continued In duties)

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/11/2026 to 02/18/2026
Salary
$41,334 to - $98,514 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 11
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Randolph AFB, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9P-AFPC-12884970-091560-MAR
Control number
857353600

Duties

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(Continued from Summary)

GS-05/07/09 The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a developmental position with known promotion potential to the target position of 9PR21278 (Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits), GS-0201-11).

GS-11The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior subject matter expert of civilian employee benefits and retirement programs with responsibility for providing the most complex administration, advisory services and counseling on employee benefits and entitlements in a regionalized environment for 145,000 Air Force-serviced civilian employees world-wide.

Duties

  1. Serves as a senior employee benefits specialist who is the subject matter expert responsible for receiving technically complex/difficult, sensitive and volatile problems/issues in all aspects of retirement benefits and coverages that require substantial knowledge of Federal Insurance laws, regulations, and procedures.
  2. As a subject matter expert; exercises extensive knowledge, skill and application of employee benefits principles and evaluative methods sufficient to advise on and/or resolve incoming calls/inquiries that are technically complex/difficult, sensitive and volatile in nature.
  3. Serves as a senior employee benefits specialist who is a subject matter expert responsible for providing sound, accurate and thorough benefits and entitlements counseling.
  4. Participates in special projects/initiatives and performs special assignments affecting the benefits program.
  5. Prepares and completes necessary correspondence, documentation, reports, etc. Prepares and presents briefings.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • Experience and knowledge of windows based information systems are required for immediate productivity
  • Travel by military and public conveyances may be required
  • May be required to work shifts
  • This is an obligated position not to exceed 07/01/2029, please see below regarding important information pertaining to obligated positions.

Qualifications

Continued from Conditions of Employment...This position is obligated to the former incumbent and has return rights to this position under 10 U.S.C 1586. Upon the employees' return you are subject to being displaced from this obligated position. Every effort will be made to find an equivalent position for you at the same grade for which you qualify within the commuting area without loss of seniority, status, or tenure. ***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

(GS-05) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have three years of progressively responsible general work experience with one year of that experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service. That experience demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate information clearly, orally and in writing; gather and analyze basic facts and draw conclusions; and to learn the operation of automated data systems.

OR
EDUCATION:
Successfully completed a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official college transcripts

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts.

(GS-07) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Applicants musthave one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service which includes knowledge of the basic principles, concepts, and methodology used in employee benefits and skill in applying basic principles, concepts, and practices of the occupation sufficient to perform moderately difficult assignments.

OR
EDUCATION:
Successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Human Resources; or I have a bachelor's degree in a subject area related to the position and am claiming Superior Academic Achievement. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: C
ombination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts.

(GS-09) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes knowledge of the principles, concepts, and theories of Employee Benefits, and the standard practices, methods, and techniques of the occupation sufficient to perform difficult, but well-precedented assignments; knowledge of analysis, evaluation, fact-finding, and investigative techniques in order to gather data, identify significant factors, and recommend a solution from a number of possible alternatives; and knowledge of the occupation to perform studies and prepare reports, documentation, and correspondence to communicate factual and procedural information clearly.

OR
EDUCATION:
Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., [if related] in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Human Resources Management. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official college transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts.

(GS-05/07/09) KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Knowledge of basic principles of the classified titled or related field.
  2. Skill in communicating factual and procedural information clearly, orally and in writing.
  3. Ability to learn basic techniques of the classified title.
  4. Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
  5. Ability to plan and organize work, and consult effectively with co-workers.
(GS-11) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which includes knowledge of, and skill in applying health insurance, life insurance, retirement, Thrift Savings Plan, and death-in-service laws, regulation, procedures, and counseling techniques provided in a regionalized environment using state-of-the-art technology and reengineered business processes. Actions cover the whole spectrum of these benefits such as responding to complex benefits questions; providing information necessary to help employees obtain maximum gains from available benefits; deciding obscure special entitlement matters; and providing individual employee counseling on retirement options, eligibility requirements, health and life insurance and Thrift Savings Plan issues.

OR
EDUCATION
: Successful completion of a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Human Resources Management. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. Note: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

(GS-11) KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  1. A sound theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of federal personnel management functions, theories, techniques, and the relations of the various personnel disciplines; as well as knowledge of the Directorate objectives, mission, and operating programs and the implications of such on Air Force civilian personnel management programs.
  2. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of fact finding, analysis, and resolution of complex problems and the development of concrete action plans to solve problems; also having knowledge of automated data processing functions, techniques, and capabilities and the ability to assimilate and translate the logic of personnel management to the data system.
  3. Ability to establish performance goals and assess progress toward their achievement.
  4. Ability to train and work effectively with widely diverse individuals and groups, as well as possessing the ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, in working out solutions to problems or questions relating to work.
  5. Ability to represent the activity both within and outside the organization, and to gain support for the program goals.
FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level.
One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level.
One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level.

TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

Education

(Continued from Qualifications)

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE:
Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY:
If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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