Duties

Summary

The purpose of the Office of Finance is to provide financial management services to Leadership, Members, Committees, Officers, and Offices of the House. The Payroll and Benefits Department is responsible for the administration of staff payroll and benefits in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. This position serves as the Benefits Specialist.
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Responsibilities

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 650 technical and administrative staff working in a variety of areas, including information technology, finance, budget management, human resources, payroll, childcare, food and vending, procurement, logistics and administrative counsel.

The purpose of the Office of Finance is to provide financial management services to Leadership, Members, Committees, Officers, and Offices of the House. The Payroll and Benefits Department is responsible for the administration of staff payroll and benefits in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. This position serves as the Benefits Specialist.

Key responsibilities include counseling current and former House employees regarding some or all federal and House specific benefits and compensation programs, maintaining proficient knowledge in one or more specialty areas (e.g., Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Leave and Benefits Records, and/or Retirement), and distributing communications and may assist with providing training and briefings as needed.

Grade level at time of appointment is determined by experience and designated level of responsibility. The position does not have day-to-day supervisory/managerial responsibilities. This position has access to Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides advisory services to management and current and former House employees on a variety of benefits and entitlements programs and services, including Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Long-Term Care (LTC) program, Voluntary Contributions/Deposits/ Redeposits/Refunds, retirement programs/options, beneficiary information, survivor benefits, debt collection, cost-of-living adjustments, creditable civilian/military service, and survivorship. Distributes communications, such as monthly newsletters, to assigned customers. May assist with training and briefings, as needed.
• 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, Leave 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 cancelling TSP participation. Provides detailed information and guidance to assist employees in making informed decisions regarding their retirement.
• Advises survivors of deceased employees on their benefits and procedural requirements, to include assisting with the preparation of required forms. Assists employees in completing retirement applications, ensuring all documentation is accurate and submitted within required deadlines.
• 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:

o Processes applications and makes adjustments to payroll system related to health insurance. Organizes health benefits fair(s).
o Determines eligibility and processes related to elections, cancellations, and terminations. Reviews TSP enrollment forms for accuracy. Enters payroll adjustments related to the TSP, health, or life insurance, when required.
o Coordinates benefits for concurrent employees with other federal agencies: issues correspondence, maintains reports, and adjusts necessary benefits.
o Calculates Service Computation Dates (SCD) for leave accrual purposes for newly appointed employees with prior federal service. Verifies prior federal service, certifies Recredit of Leave, and verifies benefits for employees. Corrects benefits and payroll records as instructed.
o Estimates expected retirement benefits for employees. Provides employees with information about the retirement system. Closes out retirement accounts of separating, non-retiring employees. Assists employees in preparing a variety of retirement-related claims. Reviews, corrects, and certifies retirement records.
o Reviews student loan program agreements and loan validation, data entry, and adjustments.

• Prepares reports and statistical compilations and researches and answers correspondence related to areas of expertise.
• Instructs, trains, and mentors peers as instructed by supervisor.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Travel Required

Not required - Not required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
8

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• USAJobs Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

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

Education

Additional information

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

You will be evaluated using a structured interview process.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Resume

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.