Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, HR Policy and Programs Directorate, Retirement and Benefits Branch, located in one of the following locations: Washington, DC Indianapolis, IN Minneapolis, MN Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to utilize your skills as a subject matter expert responsible for administration and training of the Federal employee retirement and benefit program providing a full range of technical advisory, policy advisory, general employee counseling and/or retirement and benefits processing services. This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. Typical Work assignments include: Interpreting and explaining the relationship between Federal retirement/insurance programs and other systems (e.g., Social Security, military provisions) to employees. Counseling employees on federal benefits, applying HR rules and OPM policies, providing LEO and CBPO certifications, and reviewing retirement system determinations in accordance with Federal Erroneous Corrections Coverage Act (FERCCA). Developing and delivering training for management and employees in various settings; helping update SOPs to guide HR staff on retirement and benefits procedures. Training on topics such as benefit and entitlement eligibility requirement for such benefits as the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) and Federal Employee' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), retirement case preparation, processing personnel actions, using retirement related systems and databases and all other areas of content which are determined as needing for the RABAS staff.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Training Federal Employee Retirement and Benefit Programs while providing a full range of technical advisory, policy advisory, general employee counseling and/or retirement and benefits processing services. Providing guidance to human resources staff regarding retirement and benefit process and procedures. Providing counseling and guidance in individual cases involving retirement and benefits related issues. Counseling on the provisions of both Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 09/30/2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.