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. Monitors legislative and regulatory changes in the benefit, retirement, and work life program areas in order to identify required changes in PDS policy regulations or procedures; coordinate with affected employees and other stakeholders in the development, issuance, and implementation of required changes.


2. Reviews all retirement applications and ensures timely processing to OPM. Serves as the liaison with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in monitoring the status of retirement applications.


3. Assists employees with special retirement situations such as those initiating disability retirements, early-out retirement, etc.


4. 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.


5. Oversees and 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.


6. Oversees the processing and completion of 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.)


7. 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.


8. Develops, modifies, and conducts presentations of basic and/or refresher training in employee benefits programs such as workers’ compensation, retirement, Thrift Savings Program, Employee Assistance Program, etc.


9. 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.

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

11. 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).

12. 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.

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

14. 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.

15. 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.

For the PDS-13 (GS-13 equivalent): Your resume and work experiences must show that you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service or equivalent and it must include:

For the PDS-14 (GS-14 equivalent): Your resume and work experiences must show that you have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service or equivalent and it must include:

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.

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

https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare

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 HR Specialist Brigette Carrington, Office of Human Resources, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Job Announcement PDS#2023-22, 633 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 as MS Word or PDF document attachments to the following email address: [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.

Required Documents: