Benefits Advisor

Summary EBSA plays a vital role in protecting the retirement, health, and other job-based benefits of America's workers, retirees, and their families. We issue effective regulations, offer comprehensive education and assistance to workers, plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and service providers, and rigorously enforce the law. We serve workers, families, and the broader employee benefits community by protecting the security and integrity of the nation's benefit systems. Learn more about this agency Duties The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and be eligible for telework as determined by agency policy. This is not a remote position. Offices are located in Boston, MA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Silver Spring, MD; Atlanta, GA; Plantation, FL; Dallas, TX; Fort Wright, KY; Kansas City, MO; Chicago, IL; Pasadena, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Seattle, WA. For specific locations, please see: DOL offices. Advertised salary reflects the minimum and maximum pay for the listed locations. Upon selection, the salary will be set in accordance with the selectee's assigned duty location. Benefits Advisors respond to participant and beneficiary inquiries and complaints and provide technical assistance on the obligations of employers, plan sponsors, and service providers under ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, MHPAEA, etc. They resolve valid complaints through informal dispute resolution, refer complaints to enforcement involving potential criminal activity or plan wide issues that cannot be resolved informally, and serve as the focal point of the DOL liaison with the general public. The duties and responsibilities at the GS-09, GS-11, and GS-12 levels are generally comparable; however, as you advance, the degree of supervision and guidance will decrease and the duties and responsibilities will increase. Major duties for this position include but are not limited to the following: Provide information and guidance to plan administrators, service providers, participants, beneficiaries, the public, and other agencies about ERISA and related laws. Assist participants and beneficiaries in obtaining benefits they are entitled to but have not been able to secure, following EBSA procedures and resolving issues informally with employers when possible. Conduct research and fact-finding, analyze data, review eligibility or entitlement to benefits, and prepare clear responses by examining relevant records. Identify situations that may involve criminal activity, complex civil disputes, or potential fiduciary violations, and develop appropriate investigative referrals. Educate individuals about their rights and responsibilities under ERISA and related laws, and assist in planning and delivering outreach events and distributing educational materials. Requirements Conditions of employment Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must be at least 16 years old. Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met. Candidate required to obtain and maintain the necessary security/investigation level. In some regions, a driver's license may be required. Qualifications Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. For GS-09: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-07 in the Federal Service. For GS-11: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-09 in the Federal Service. For GS-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal Service. GS-09: You must meet 3 out of the 4 examples of specialized experience listed here. Qualifying specialized experience for the GS-09 is defined as: Experience working in a customer service environment providing information or assistance and communicating clearly in both writing and speech to wide-ranging audiences. Experience delivering educational information (e.g., drafting materials and responding to questions) tailored to the audience and subject matter. Experience using research and analytical methods to identify and analyze problems and gathering, validating, and compiling data. Experience building and maintaining working relationships with tact, empathy, and professionalism, including effectively engaging individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, and collaborating respectfully with people of varied perspectives and experiences. OR - you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. GS-11: You must meet 3 out of the 4 examples of specialized experience listed here. Qualifying specialized experience for the GS-11 is defined as: Experience working in a customer service environment providing information or assistance, resolving inquiries or complaints, and communicating clearly in both writing and speech to wide-ranging audiences. Experience delivering educational information, outreach, or training (e.g., drafting materials, conducting briefings or presentations, and responding to questions) tailored to the audience and subject matter. Experience using research and analytical methods to identify and analyze problems and gathering, validating, and compiling data. Experience building and maintaining strong working relationships with tact, empathy, and professionalism, including effectively engaging individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, and collaborating respectfully with people of varied perspectives and experiences. OR - you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., if related. GS-12: You must meet 4 out of the 5 examples of specialized experience listed here. Qualifying specialized experience for the GS-12 is defined as: Experience working in a customer service environment providing information or assistance, resolving inquiries or complaints, and communicating clearly in both writing and speech to wide-ranging audiences. Experience delivering educational information, outreach, or training (e.g., drafting materials, conducting briefings or presentations, and responding to questions) tailored to the audience and subject matter. Experience applying and interpreting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to employee benefit plans (e.g., ERISA, reporting/disclosure) or a similar regulatory framework. Experience using research and analytical methods to identify and analyze problems; gathering, validating, and compiling data from multiple sources; evaluating alternatives; and making well-supported recommendations. Experience building and maintaining strong working relationships with tact, empathy, and professionalism, including effectively engaging individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, and collaborating respectfully with people of varied perspectives and experiences. There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience for this position at the GS-12 level. Education Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information. Additional information Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION The position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. For more information, click Career Ladder Promotion Information For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy. Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click for more information on Pay, Leave, and Workforce Flexibilities. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.