Duties

Summary

The Benefits Officer oversees and performs a wide range of duties related to benefits administration and operational support and services to the Court. Supports the strategic plan by the accomplishment of projects, goals and operational objectives.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Benefits Officer duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Supervises and manages the Benefits, Operations and Support Services team that administer the Federal Employees Health Benefit and Federal Group Life Insurance Programs; Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), retirement (Judicial and Non-judicial), short and long-term disability, long term care, transportation subsidy, pre-tax parking, unemployment, worker's compensation, and payroll operations.
• Provides guidance, consultation and staff assistance to judicial, non-judicial employees, senior judges, top level managers, former employees, annuitants, spouses, survivors, and eligible family members regarding retirement, insurance, and benefit programs.
• Counsels and advises employees and retirees on retirement benefit information including Social Security, Medicare, and disability retirement benefits; assists employees in making informed decisions.
• Develops and implements procedures for the orientation of new employees; provides counseling to new employees regarding benefits.
• Provides advisory service in the areas of benefits administration, HR support services, strategic and workforce planning. Serving as a consultant to internal customers on broad range of HR issues that flow from the full scope administration of a comprehensive benefits program.
• Serves as Court liaison, Court coordinator and subject matter expert to health insurance carriers, the Federal Group Life Insurance office and OPM for retirement issues, flexible spending accounts, vision and dental plans, and long-term care program.
• Coordinates the design, implementation, launch and facilitation of training for management and employees on program milestones.
• Stays abreast of best practices and regulatory updates that may be beneficial to the DC Courts or have an impact on current operations.
• Provides individual counseling and calculations to employees contemplating retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System, Federal Employees Retirement System and the Judicial Retirement Survivors Annuity Fund.
• Reviews all applications for retirement including retirement health and life insurance applications.

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts' values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• A background and/or security investigation is required.
• Probationary period of one (1) year.

To qualify for this position, you must submit the following:
1. Resume
2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree)
4. List of three (3) professional references

All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in human resource management, business administration, public administration or a closely related field; plus six (6) years of experience in human resources of which at least three (3) years of experience must be in the discipline of benefits and a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience. The successful candidate must possess strong verbal and written communication skills and be a subject matter expert in benefits, federal retirement and payroll.

An advanced degree is preferred.

Graduation from the Courts' Management Training Program may substitute for one (1) year of supervisory experience. You must provide documentation of your management training (i.e. copy of certificate) with your application.

The safety of DC Court employees, contractors and the public is a top priority. In compliance with the guidelines published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Courts has maximized its telework flexibilities. The ability and readiness for employees to telework impacts operational requirements and capabilities. This includes having a personal computer, tablet or mobile device which is not shared with secure internet connectivity.

Documentation of education must be submitted with your application or your application will not be considered.

*Applicants please be advised that your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience and that you meet the basic qualifications or you will not be determined qualified for this position.

Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts are required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.

Education

To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.

Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all non-judicial new employees.

All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.

Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy college transcript or diploma)
4. List of three (3) professional references

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.