Duties

Summary

This position is in the National Office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in Division of Health Investigations (DHI), Office of Enforcement (OE), located in Washington, DC.

- This position is outside the bargaining unit.

- No PCS is authorized

- Telework eligible.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The primary function of OE is the protection of pension, health and welfare benefits under Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) through the provision of a strong and effective national and field office enforcement program.

Major duties for this position include but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as an Advisor to the Division Chief and OE Senior Management regarding the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of current and proposed goals, objectives, and strategies pertaining to the EBSA health enforcement program.
• Formulates and recommends the implementation of the strategies, methodologies, targeting criteria, procedures, reporting and accountability systems, and guidance that form the basis for the National health enforcement program.
• Assist the Division Chief and OE Senior Management with the evaluation of trends and patterns of health enforcement and litigation efforts carried out by EBSA and other Federal and State agencies as well as private litigation in the area of employee benefit and analyzes resulting court decisions.
• Develops written guidance and training materials that address issues such as the criteria for initiating and carrying out health investigations, Federal and State legal and regulatory mandates, interpretation of court and administrative rulings as they pertain to the health enforcement of ERISA, the collection, maintenance, and disposal of evidentiary materials, procedures for referring cases for litigation, etc.
• Guides the health enforcement program and may be called upon by Regional and National management and other senior Regional and National staff to provide investigative assistance, guidance, and technical expertise in the conduct of specific health investigations which involve possible civil violations.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 5% travel as needed.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14 - This position is at the Full Promotion Potential level (FPL).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Position requires Public Trust-Low Risk Background Investigation.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Notification Concerning COVID-19 Vaccinations: As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021, or before appointment or onboarding with the agency (if later than November 22, 2021). The agency will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation can be accepted and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement.

Qualifications

Requires one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service as defined below: Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. For this position, Specialized experience is defined as analyzing legal issues involving laws such as Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and other similar health laws, polices and regulations; applying civil investigative techniques; and providing technical guidance, reviewing and evaluating ERISA covered health plans and a variety of other health and insurance products and vehicles.

Education

There is no education substitution for specialized experience.

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

- Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP / CTAP , you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85.0 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 to reflect that you are applying as a ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Technical - Knowledge of all requirements and regulatory guidance of ERISA; EBSA mission & functions, programs & priorities and civil laws administered by other DOL, Federal and State agencies.

Oral/Written Communication - Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example: technical, sensitive, controversial); listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a clear, succinct, and organized manner.

Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, professionalism, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness, even with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed. Demonstrates team effectiveness with sensitivity to the differences of others, e.g. diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Decision Making/Problem Solving - Employs strategic and critical approaches to problem solving, e.g. identifying, and considering issues/problems, determining accuracy and relevance of information, as well as generating, identifying, evaluating, and implementing alternative solution approaches, to resolve issues/problems, deliver services and provide value.

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password-protected documents.

The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):

ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.

*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step, and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.

- Resumes are required - provide a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one from your computer and USAJOBS profile. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list the month, year, and the number of work hours worked for the experience listed on your resume. We also suggest that you preview the vacancy questions, and confirm that your resume supports your question responses.

- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.

The following documents are required if applicable:

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP / CTAP Eligibility.

- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) , and showing the character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)

Special/Non-Competitive Appointing Authority Documents

- Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements):

(a) Military Spouses (MISP)

- Land Management Eligible(s): a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act . This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time-limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here .

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted.

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

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.