Lead Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Summary

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Lead HR Specialist employee that provides services, support, and advice in the areas of Federal Leave and Work life/Employee benefits in support all VHA medical centers. This position promotes organizational efforts to support a balance between work and personal life that fosters employee engagement and productivity by providing Work life and employee benefits services to VHA employees and supervisory/managerial staff.

Duties

• NOTE: This is a temporary promotion opportunity NTE 1 year.
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Ensures the VISN's and Shared Service Section's strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.
• Monitors workflow, reviewing completed work to ensure the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality have been met.
• Reports to supervisor on team and individual accomplishments, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and training needs of team members.
• Administers and providing advisory services on federal leave programs, workplace flexibilities, tour of duty, group life insurance, health benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan programs.
• Serves as the specialist on leave and benefits issues, including general information about retirement benefits, resolution of health benefits issues, and advises on insurance coverage options.
• Resolves problems in the administration of Work life/Employee benefits programs.
• Develops Work life/benefit's program information materials (in both electronic and print formats) for employees, including fact sheets, brochures, booklets, designed to increase program awareness, participation, and employee satisfaction.
• Consults with leadership stakeholders, including local, regional and national leadership in support of the human capital acquisition and in furtherance of employee engagement and productivity.
• Researches and resolves Work life Benefits problems, including correcting employee records as necessary.
• Directs former employees and family members to appropriate retirement counseling service organizations.
• Provides innovative Work life/Employee benefits solutions to their Community of Practice (COP) for purpose of improving VHA HR services.
• Work Schedule: Work Schedule will be negotiated upon selection, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
• Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-Hoc telework.
• Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Description/PD#: Lead Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)/PD99899S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).

Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Qualifying education for the GS-0201 series includes courses and programs in HR, HR development, HR management, business, business management/administration, industrial relations, labor relations, industrial psychology, organizational psychology, organizational development, management, organizational behavior, pre-law/law, legal studies, health care management/administration, public administration, public policy, human services, leadership and/or humanities. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: 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 Federal employment.

You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.
• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• Cover Letter Other (1) Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
• It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.
• Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted.