Employee Benefits Law Specialist

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. Duties This position is located in the Office of Exemption Determinations (OED). OED is responsible for analyzing individual and class exemption applications which involve a wide array of financial transactions, preparing interpretive letters and Federal Register notices, and reviewing petitions or good faith waiver's of penalties, drafting advisory opinions and information letters. Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Provides verbal advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders on the interpretation and application of ERISA prohibited transaction provisions and related Code requirements. Engages in public hearings by presenting information, listening to testimony, summarizing proceedings, and discussing recommendations related to proposed exemptions. Participates in or leads denial conferences by verbally presenting case issues, answering questions, and communicating final determinations to stakeholders. Prepares written case summaries that outline key factors, issues, guidelines, precedents, and recommended courses of action for supervisory review. Drafts Federal Register notices, denial letters, and other formal written documents in response to decisions on exemption requests. Prepares written replies to Congressional inquiries and public requests, providing explanations regarding exemption applications, filing procedures, and the application of ERISA or Code provisions. Collaborates with supervisors and senior specialists to discuss analytical findings, seek guidance, and reach consensus on recommended actions for exemption requests and expedited exemption procedure submissions. Maintains liaison with officials of other Federal agencies to work on joint projects, secure and furnish technical advice or assistance, provide interpretive guidance regarding ERISA, and discuss and resolve problems of mutual concern. Evaluates complex exemption applications and expedited exemption procedure submissions by synthesizing diverse financial, legal, and technical information to determine appropriate outcomes. Conducts thorough research of statutes, regulations, precedent cases, and technical documentation, integrating findings to support sound fiduciary and prohibited transaction determinations. Applies technical knowledge to interpret financial statements, actuarial certifications, CPA reports, and other case materials to identify compliance issues, fiduciary risks, and potential prohibited transactions. 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 the necessary security/investigation level. This position is inside the bargaining unit. Qualifications Education - Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study in one or a combination of the following fields - finance, banking, business administration, economics, mathematics, accounting or auditing, pension plan administration, law, industrial relations, public administration, or other related fields. OR Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible experience that demonstrated the ability to perform work in the field of pension and welfare plans. Such experience may have been gained in (1) management, administration, development, analysis, audit, financial management, or termination of such plans or their funds; or (2) in closely related work such as taxation, securities, and investments. Specialized experience may have been gained in government, a welfare and pension plan administration or consulting firm, law firm, actuarial or accounting firm, labor union, welfare and pension association or research service, banking trust department, or investment firm. Applicants must demonstrate 52 weeks of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Analysis and application of fiduciary, reporting and disclosure, bonding, funding, vesting, administration, and termination provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and related laws, regulations, court decisions, and precedent rulings. Development of proposals for new or revised pension or welfare plans, petitions for exemptions, or requests for rulings under governing law. Legal work, a substantial portion of which required interpretation of Federal laws and legal requirements concerning employee benefit plans, or in such related fields as taxation, securities, real estate, corporations, trusts, bankruptcy, and investments. Auditing or accounting work that involved determining compliance with Federal and State laws governing welfare and pension plans, securities, banking, insurance, or corporations. Analysis of Federal laws or regulations, development of policy, and drafting of proposed changes in an employee welfare and benefit plan or a related function. 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 This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. For more information, click Career Ladder Promotion Information For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote 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. 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.