Job 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 700 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 purpose of the Office of Finance under the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the U. S. House of Representatives is to provide financial management services to Leadership, Members, Committees, Officers, and Support Service offices of the House. The Office Payroll and Benefits within the Office of Finance is responsible for the administration of staff payroll and benefits in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. This position serves as a Benefits Specialist within the Office of Payroll and Benefits. 

Key responsibilities include providing information to current and former House employees regarding Federal and House specific benefits, and how to enroll in them.  To do this, the Benefits Specialist must maintain proficient knowledge in one or more specialty areas (e.g., Federal health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, Thrift Savings Plan, payroll and benefit records, and/or retirement), distribute effective communications and, assist with providing training and briefings to the House community.  Methods of contact with customers is by email, telephone and in-person, each of which requires excellent communication skills. 

Grade level at time of the candidates initial appointment is determined by past experience.   

This position has access to Personally Identifiable Information (PII). 

The position does not have day-to-day supervisory/managerial responsibilities. 

Primary Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Provides advisory services to management and current and former House employees on a variety of benefits and entitlement programs and services, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Affordable Care Act health coverage, Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), retirement programs/options, beneficiary information, debt collection, creditable civilian/military service.  

• Distributes communications, such as monthly newsletters and information about initial benefit enrollment, to assigned customers.  

• Assists with training and briefings to the House community on a regular basis. 

• Serves as a benefits consultant, participating in the development and accomplishment of plans and special projects related to the technical support of the Department and services rendered to customers.    

• Maintains proficient knowledge in one or more Department specialty areas (e.g., TSP, Payroll and Benefits Records, Retirement, etc.). Answers general inquiries and questions about the interrelationship between different areas.  

• Counsels and advises employees regarding the immediate and long-term advantages of participating in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), procedures for enrolling, and procedures for changing or canceling TSP participation. (Provides general information and guidance to assist employees with retirement.)  

• Advises survivors of deceased employees with general information on their benefits. 

• Researches, interprets, and accurately applies relevant laws, rules, regulations, polices, processes, and procedures.     

• Analyzes data using appropriate methods and tools. 

• Uses financial systems/software to research and troubleshoot issues.   

• Performs most or all the specialty services described below:  

1. Processes applications and makes adjustments to health insurance enrollment, which includes determining eligibility and the needed documentation.  
2. Reviews TSP enrollment forms for accuracy.  
3. Calculates payroll adjustments related to the TSP, health, or life insurance, when required. 
4. Coordinates benefits for concurrent employees with other federal agencies to include issuing correspondence and adjusting necessary benefits. 
5. Calculates Service Computation Dates (SCDs) for newly appointed employees with prior federal service. Verifies prior federal service and benefits for appointed employees.  
6. Provides employees with information about the eligibility for retirement. 
7. Reviews student loan program agreements, reviews validity of submitted loan service provider information, and validates data entry.  

• Prepares reports and statistical compilations and researches and answers correspondence related to areas of expertise. 

• Instructs, trains, and mentors peers as needed.  

• Utilizes Adobe and Microsoft products a proficient manner.  The latter includes, Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.   

• Performs other official duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience and/or Education Requirements:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. plus two or more years related experience (experience with federal employee benefits and compensation programs - particularly Legislative Branch programs, desirable) or equivalent combination of education and/or experience required.   

Preferred:

• Completion of specialized training in relevant human resources subject areas, (e.g. federal benefits) which may be completed as part of college course work, independent courses or comparable on-the-job-training. 

• Bachelor’s degree. 

• SHRM, APA or OPM certification/accreditations.

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).