Human Resources Specialist (Benefits)

Open Date: Sep 7, 2023
Close Date: Dec 31, 2023
Position Type: Permanent Full-Time
Job Vacancy #: PDS #2023-49
Location: 633 Indiana Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004

About The Job

PDS Overview:

PDS Overview: The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees. PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS’s approximately 235 employees, most of whom work at the main office at 633 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. PDS’s staff consists of approximately 100 attorneys and approximately 135 social workers, investigators, administrative, and technical staff. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in federal health and life insurance plans, federal retirement plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at the Public Defender Service is at-will and is considered excepted service.

Division Overview:

: To support PDS’s holistic approach to public defense, the Office of Human Resources provides services throughout PDS in terms of talent acquisition, position classification, compensation and benefits administration, employee relations, organizational and employee development, payroll, HR information management, and regulatory compliance--- all for the purpose of inspiring excellence in people so the organization is successful in its mission. As a strategic partner with PDS’s leadership, the Office of Human Resources develops and delivers innovative human resource programs and services designed to support the mission of PDS. Our efforts are focused on the organization’s most valuable asset, its employees. We succeed by earning the satisfaction of our employees, the respect and trust of those who govern us, support us and collaborate with us. Please note that this position has been altered to (mostly) telework status.

Major Duties:

The incumbent assists the Director of Human Resources in performing the day-
 to-day responsibilities associated with human resources operations. Duties of the position    
 include, but are not limited to:

The incumbent assists the Director of Human Resources in performing the day-
 to-day responsibilities associated with human resources operations. Duties of the position    
 include, but are not limited to:

1. Researches employment records for applicability to federal career, e.g. adjustment in service computation dates. Provide individual retirement counseling. Analyzes information to establish the length and type of creditable service, and prepare retirement annuity estimates for employees. Research regulations and records and advise employees on the buyback of creditable time for retirement. Provides technical expertise on complex retirement coverage issues including, but not limited to, creditable service for employees formerly employed in the District of Columbia Government, and specific benefits provisions affecting current and former PDS employees as stipulated by federal law. Determine the amount of retirement contributions, refunds of contributions, payments, and repayments needed for service credit to include military deposits, and whether all special requirements and conditions applicable to the type of case have been met; and whether the requirements for payment of a survivor annuity or lump sum are satisfied. Assist employees in the preparation of retirement applications and related documents.

2. Conducts off-boarding of employees whether as terminations, separations or transfers. Ensure employees are apprised of what happens to their benefits upon their separation from PDS (or if they transfer to a Federal agency). Processes all necessary separations paperwork. Conducts exit interviews with employees and ensures off-boarding processes and procedures are followed.

3. Completes benefits related personnel actions in the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS) and Workforce Transformation and Tracking System (WTTS). Serves as administrator in the e-OPF system and other systems related to employees’ records and benefits (Employee Express, Employers’ Edge (unemployment), GRB, DPRW/NFC, etc.)

4. Manages and monitors Office of Worker’s Compensation (OWCP) Program and develop programs and processes to help reduce OWCP costs by coordinating with employees, DOL, medical professionals, and supervisors to return employees to work as soon as medically possible. Use the e-Comp system as an Agency Maintenance User (AMU) to maintain administrative function of the system.

5. Develops, modifies, and conducts presentations of basic and/or refresher training in employee benefits programs such as workers’ compensation, retirement, TSP, EAP, etc.

6. Provides information on PDS’s available employee benefits, retirement, and leave programs. Utilize web-based personnel, timekeeping, and data retrieval systems to identify, document, and affect required actions.

7. Administers PDS’s leave program including Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave, Leave Share/Voluntary Leave Transfer, Bereavement Leave, etc.

8. Receives and researches questions from supervisors and employees concerning aspects of human resources and employee benefits programs and processes. Respond with thorough explanations citing regulations, operating directives, or past practices that provide clients with additional information. When research reveals errors in the record, recommend or initiate necessary corrective action(s).

9. Serves as lead on PDS-wide initiatives and oversee ongoing Work Life Services and Employee Programs management (Telework, Employee Assistance Program, Health and Wellness, New Employee Orientation, Work Life Services, etc.) across PDS.

10. Establishes productive working relationships with counterparts and senior level officials throughout PDS, with representatives of governmental or private sector organizations providing services to PDS.

11. Conducts analysis with benefits data mining; quantitative and qualitative analysis for assessing complex benefits issues and programs within Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE)/Datamart System to generate reports to help with these analyses.

12. Perform other duties as assigned.

Evaluation Factors:

A successful candidate must present evidence of experience in the following areas:

In-depth knowledge of and skill in applying a wide range of human resources concepts, principles, laws, regulations, and practices. Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying federal laws, regulations, and practices governing health and life insurance, retirements, leave administration, awards, and other benefits entitlements.

Demonstrated ability to provide advice and counsel concerning all aspects of employee benefits, leave, retirement, and awards programs to executives, managers, and employees.

Demonstrated ability to develop professional working relationships with individuals and organizations throughout the agency and with other relevant organizations. Demonstrated ability to communicate successfully verbally and in writing.

Demonstrated ability to communicate successfully verbally and in writing in order to provide authoritative advice and guidance on federal benefits, leave, retirement, and awards programs.

Required Qualifications:

Qualification Requirements:
Your resume and work experiences must show that you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience. 
 equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service or equivalent and it must include:

- Experience with federal employee benefits, leave, retirement, and awards programs.
- Experience providing guidance to employees on federal benefits, leave, retirement, and awards programs.
- Experience developing and conducting information or orientation programs for management and employees on federal benefits, retirement, leave, and awards programs
- Experience researching regulations and other pertinent directives to make recommendations to improve federal employee benefits, leave, retirement and awards programs.
- Experience with complex regulations and other pertinent laws that affect employees that are/were enrolled in the District of Columbia Government and/or under the DC Defined Contribution Plan; determines creditable service and corresponding effects on Federal benefits

Application Evaluation:

How you will be evaluated: Your application package includes your résumé and required supporting documents. Please ensure your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a rejection of your application package.

Rating: Your application package will be evaluated in the following areas: Technical, Analytical, and Communication. Your application package will be rated and ranked among others, based on your experience, education, training, performance appraisal, and awards relevant to the duties of this position. Your rating can be lowered if your application package is not supported by the supporting documents.


Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application package will be referred to a hiring manager for consideration, at which time you may be invited to participate in a selection interview.                        Non-local candidates may be interviewed initially via Skype or other electronic means.


Interview Structure:  Those who are selected for interviews will be required to interview in person.

Number of vacancies:

01

Pay Series:

PDS-0201-12/13/14 (GS-12/13/14 Equivalent)

Note: Applicants who have applied to the previous announcement PDS-2023-24 or PDS-2023-34 need not. 
to reapply.

Note: This is an open continuous announcement which allows applicants to apply up to the closing  
date of the announcement, 11/30/2023. This announcement will establish an inventory of
applicants. Contingent upon funding and space requirements, one or more vacancies may be 
filled as they come available.

Compensation:

$94,199 - $172,075

Promotion Potential: PDS-13 or PDS-14

Benefits:

PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and employees are entitled to participate in federal 
benefits plans, federal retirement systems, and the workers compensation program. Transferring federal 
employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement (if applicable) 
purposes. Benefits include:

  Federal Employees Retirement Systems (retirement annuity)
  Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K program) 
  Federal Employees Health Benefits (health insurance)
  Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (life insurance)
  Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program
  Flexible Spending Accounts (for health care and dependent care)
  Long Term Care
  Transportation Subsidy
  Employee Assistance Program
  Federal Occupational Health (access to health clinic and services)

                              PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an E-Verify Participating Agency

Who May Apply:

Open to US Citizens or persons authorized to work in the United States

How to Apply:

How to apply: You must provide a complete application package which includes: (1) a cover letter and resume; (2) official college transcripts (if available); otherwise, (3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 Notice of Personnel Action (if available) with personally identifiable information redacted; (4) current performance appraisal, if available, and (5) a list of three references that include name, address, telephone number, and a statement of how each reference is able to evaluate your skills to Office of Human Resources, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Job Announcement PDS#2023-49, 633 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 as MS Word or PDF document attachments to the following email address at [email protected] vacancy announcement # and title of the vacancy MUST APPEAR on the subject line of the email. Applicants with Federal Benefits and Retirement Systems experience are strongly encouraged to apply.


All application materials become property of PDS and will not be returned. For questions or concerns regarding this vacancy announcement or hiring process, please contact HR Specialist Brigette Carrington at (202) 824-2237 or via the email address listed above. If you require a reasonable accommodation during any part of the application process, please contact HR Specialist Brigette Carrington at the above contact number and/or e-mail.

Disclaimer

The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization; governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees, PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS’s approximately 275 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’s main office is located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health and life insurance plans, the federal retirement plans (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, CSRS, CSRS-Offset), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at PDS is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will.

PDS is an E-Verify participating agency. Please see the Right to Work Poster and the E-Verify Participation Poster for more information.

 

PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.