Lead Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/30/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows 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. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical, or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. NOTE: You must still meet the Time-In-Grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the GS-11 grade level, and a copy of your unofficial transcript is required. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Serving as the policy and regulatory specialist for Work life/Employee benefits programs. Preparing communications on current and future requirements related to employee benefits. Meeting with employees to explain benefit programs. Processing leave requests for special leave programs. ~OR~ Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical, or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Serving as a technical expert and journeyman level specialist for employee benefits to include but not limited to Federal Employee Health Benefits, Federal Employee Group Life Insurance, Federal Employee Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan. Providing advisory and consultation for both federal leave and work life/employee benefit programs. Researching and resolving the more complex employee benefit inquiries and issues. Providing training to team members on leave and work life/employee benefit programs. Mentoring and training new HR employee benefit employees. Participating on teams to help improve and/or streamline programs and services. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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