Clarification from the agency

This position is open current onboard Excepted Service Technicians employed with the Oklahoma National Guard.

Advises and counsels management, employees, annuitants, and family members of deceased employees by interpreting, applying, and explaining retirement and insurance laws, regulations, and policies on available retirement insurance benefits, death benefits, entitlements/options. Researches and interprets appropriate regulations to provide advice to employees concerning reinstatement of insurance, conversion of life insurance and features of the programs and options associated with retirement. Assist employees in the preparation of retirement applications and related documents and forwards to the Army Benefits Center Civilian (ABC-C).

Determines type of separation and completion of eOPF maintenance for documents. Maintains a current knowledge of legislative development, agency reorganizations and other pertinent activities that may have an impact on management and employees. Provides technical guidance and assistance in the development and implementation of benefit program changes and open seasons. Determines entitlement to retirement annuities, eligibility for continuation of life and health insurance. Provides technical advice to personnel on a variety of programs such as health and life insurance and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Provides initial overview to new employees on the benefit programs available to them.

Provides technical advice to personnel on programs such as the Mass Transit, Reasonable Accommodations (RA), Telework, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act, military, or civilian deposits for CSRS/FERS, disability benefits, Light Duty Program, and Workers Compensation Program. Develop and process termination memorandums. Compose termination memorandums (30-day notice) in compliance with formats contained in the correspondence regulation for non-retention, mandatory removal date (MRD), mandatory separation date (MSD), medical disqualification, age 60, etc. Monitors and ensures the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) program is properly publicized and supervisors are provided the appropriate guidelines for use of the program. Ensures prompt submission of claims and medical documents.

Works with Department of Labor (DOL), Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS), ANG/ ARNG Safety Managers and supervisors to ensure payment of legitimate claims, questionable claims are reviewed and referred to DOL as appropriate and potential fraudulent claims are reported to the appropriate office for investigation. Assesses and analyzes situations to ensure minimum compensation costs are expended and light duty policies are implemented.

Provides technical advice on flexibilities and appropriate use of leave issues such as Sick Leave for Family Care and Bereavement, Disabled Veterans Leave, Advanced Leave, Compensatory Time, Leave Without Pay, Absence Without Leave, Presidential Leave, Court Leave, and Military Leave. Provides technical advice on the use of the Family and Medical Leave Act, Paid Parental Leave, and Voluntary Leave Transfer Program. Interprets guidance and regulations to provide advice to management and employees on pay schedule adjustments, severance pay, back pay, debts, and compensation. Process donated leave requests within the State.

Use automated system to effectively process personnel actions in accordance with the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions and local personnel systems checklists as required. Provides technical advice and assistance to employees in the availability of the Employee Benefits Information System (EBIS). Maintains the Electronic Official Personnel Files by uploading required documentation in accordance with the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping.

Conditions of employment

• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate clearance designated at the State through the use of the Position Designation Tool.
• Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; over/comp time may be required.
• May require travel in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
• The work may require the incumbent to drive a motor vehicle; if so, and an appropriate valid driver's license is mandatory.
• 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.
• Head of Agency requests to exceed 14 days in a calendar year must be approved in advance by the National Guard, Director of Manpower and Personnel (NGB-11).

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATION: To qualify an applicant for any GS-0201 position, apply and evaluate the applicant's competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors) that may include military and civilian experiences, completed education, learned skills, obtained knowledge, endorsed abilities, and training program accomplishments. The following seven basic qualification competency factors are applicable to the Series GS-0201 career levels:
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.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experiences gained through civilian and/or military technical training schools within the federal, OPM based, human resources business programs are included as general experience qualifications. An applicant must have a validated understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the occupational series and grade.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must possess at least 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-9), experience providing comprehensive counseling and technical guidance to management, employees, and annuitants on retirement, insurance, and benefit programs by interpreting and applying complex laws, regulations, and policies in the federal civilian workforce.

-Ability to communicate effectively with all levels and types of organizations and audiences.

-Ability to communicate with managers and leadership regarding HR subject matter.

-Ability to conduct research and determine appropriate application of laws, regulations, policy, or other directives and interpretative instructions for use in assigned HR specialty areas and to make recommendations.

-Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups, listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters an atmosphere of open communication.

-Ability to analyze complex operational and business problems involving issues for serviced functions.

-Skill in advising managers and supervisors of HR program flexibilities and recommending alternatives.

-Ability to write clear, concise explanations of complex HR topics such as evaluation statements, investigation reports.

-Working knowledge of HR computer applications and ability to integrate new, existing, and proposed applications into the operating environment. Ability to retrieve and provide HR reports to the serviced population.

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.