Duties

Summary

As a Human Resources Specialist, you will be responsible for payroll and benefits. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in federal benefits, processing personnel and payroll actions in the National Finance Center's (NFC) EmpowHR or EPIC systems; processing and managing timecards for the agency in a time and attendance system such as WebEx or Paycheck 8 and creating ad hoc reports in systems such as NFC's Insight application. This position is located in McLean, Virginia.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As the Human Resources Specialist with responsibility for payroll and benefits, duties include:

• Overseeing the administration of the National Finance Center (NFC) automated personnel/payroll system, including monitoring and running of T&A and pay output, processing payroll and personnel actions, running standard and ad hoc reports and serving as the Agency's point of contact with NFC;
• Serves as Agency Security Officer (ASO);
• Advising managers and employees on setting and adjusting pay including special salary rates, pay limitations, allowances, grade and pay retention, severance pay, recruitment and retention flexibilities, back pay and settlement of claims;
• Advising employees on Federal and Agency-specific benefits and flexibilities, and processing related actions;
• Preparing and analyzing a wide range of standard and ad hoc reports to monitor compensation and leave-related activity and identify discrepancies or issues that require attention;
• Conducting annual reviews of pay and leave, etc.;
• Serving as Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for payroll and benefits programs and service contracts;
• Serving as system administrator for NFC, 401K vendor, Flexible spending account vendor, and back-up for e-OPF and HSPD-12.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
39

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• One year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Suitability for federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• Submission of a financial disclosure report may be required.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required

Qualifications

Desired Experience:
Demonstrated experience advising on the wide range of Federal benefits. Experience operating the USDA National Finance Center (NFC) automated personnel and payroll processing system (Mainframe), managing timecards for an agency in a time and attendance system such as WebEx or Paycheck 8 AND extensive experience using various NFC sub-systems (IRIS, EPIC, SPPS, EPP, EmpowHR) and related components.

You may qualify at the VH-38 (GS-12) band level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-37 (GS-11) band level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position such as supporting the running of an agency-wide payroll program as a payroll specialist . Demonstrated experience providing guidance and resolution to issues involving payroll, benefits (e.g. health and life insurance, vision, dental insurance, TSP and 401k, and Flexible Spending Accounts), leave, pay, and personnel actions.

You may qualify at the VH-39 (GS-13) band level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the VH-38 (GS-12) band level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position such as demonstrated experience running an agency-wide payroll program as a payroll manager to include generating ad hoc reports while serving as a subject matter expert on payroll, benefits (e.g. health and life insurance, vision, dental insurance, TSP and 401k, and Flexible Spending Accounts), leave, pay, personnel actions, and HRIS systems.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements and submit all required supporting documentation by the closing date of this announcement. If you are found to be among the most highly qualified candidates you will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Current and former federal employees (including VEOA eligibles) must have served one-year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade in the federal service to meet time-in-grade restrictions per 5 CFR 300, Subpart F, by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for the VH-38 (GS-12) or VH-39 (GS-13) band level.

Additional information

ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29.

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal 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 after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

• Only experience and education (if applicable) obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• All FCA employees are subject to the conflict of interest laws and Standards of Ethical Conduct imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the federal government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report.
• FCA's supplemental ethics regulations restrict certain FCA employees concerning their direct or indirect interests in, or connections with, Farm Credit System institutions. These rules also require all employees to obtain approval for outside employment or business activities. Please contact the HR Division for additional information on these rules.
• FCA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
• This announcement may be used to fill similar vacancies.
• Annual Salary Range by Band Level:VH-38:$94,873 - $156,540; VH-39:$108,546 - $179,099

Hiring Path Information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
• Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements visit the following websites:
• Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
• Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
• Other Special Appointment Authorities
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration )

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps including submitting an application and completing the application questionnaire. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Customer Service
• Oral Communication
• Personnel and Human Resources
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Technology Application
• Writing

This position requires an online assessment; the online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

All qualified Non Competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Resume. Highlighting relevant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this position. Your resume must include the following information (1) paid and non-paid work experience including your position title, start and end dates (month/year) of employment, average number of hours worked per week and salary (separated by position series and grade for each federal position, if applicable ; (2) indication of the knowledge, skills and education you have that are pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties you have performed as a regular part of your job with indications of the level of responsibility and complexity of work; (4) Names and contact information for your current and/or previous supervisor(s). SF-50. Your most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a current or former Federal Employee) showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held. A cash award SF-50 should not be provided. Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. All applicants must submit a copy of their college/university unofficial transcript(s) for positions with a positive education requirement. See the Education section of the announcement for details on education requirements for this position. If you are selected, you must provide official transcripts to verify your education prior to your entry on duty. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal). Worker's Compensation Separation. Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligible. Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). Certain Family Members Eligible under E.O. 12721. Your most recent non-award SF-50 and performance appraisal. Certain Military Spouses Eligible under E.O. 13473. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, that lists you as authorized to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible. Documentation eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

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.