Benefits Specialist

Summary

The FRTIB is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Benefits Specialist. This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Benefits Specialist, GS-0301-13 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Duties

• Serves as a subject matter expert for assigned retirement benefits areas and supports the overall retirement benefits defined contribution program.
• Oversees and monitors TSP vendor performance for accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with program objectives, policies, and guidelines.
• Identifies and resolves complex retirement benefits program problems, including issues related to legislative initiatives and administrative decisions, and provides guidance to the TSP participant population.
• Designs, prepares, and implements broad studies to evaluate policies and best practices used in other defined contribution plans.
• Develops written guidance on proposed changes to benefit policies and oversight procedures.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time specialized work experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level (equivalent to the GS-12) in the federal government. Specialized experience is defined as: Administering retirement benefits or retirement savings programs by interpreting policies, regulations, or plan provisions to resolve participant, customer, or stakeholder issues. Evaluating the operational effectiveness of an assigned benefits program, service delivery function, or external service provider (including contractors and vendors) by analyzing performance data against established or self-developed performance measures, in order to identify deficiencies, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions or program improvements to management. Analyzing program, operational, or benefits-related issues to develop recommendations that improved service delivery, policy implementation, or program effectiveness. Developing policies, procedures, guidance, reports, or recommendations to communicate program requirements and support organizational decision-making. *Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Specialized experience must meet 52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade level. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required. All qualification requirements must be met by 09/18/2026. Your application package will not be considered if it is missing any of the required documents listed under the "Required Documents" tab. Failure to submit required documentation will impact your eligibility for this position. If you have any concerns or questions regarding required documents, please contact FRTIB HR Operations (contact information is noted below in this announcement) prior to the closing date of this announcement. Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the Time-in-Grade Requirement, which is 52 weeks of federal service at the next lower grade, GS-12.

Education

There is no formal education requirement for this position; therefore, transcripts are not required. Also, education may not be substituted for experience for this series and grade combination.

How to apply

You must apply through the USAJOBS online job application system. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/18/2026 to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. Applicants must read the required document section of this announcement carefully to ensure they are submitting all documents. If you have any concerns or questions regarding required documentation please contact FRTIB HR Operations (contact information is noted below in this announcement) prior to the closing date of the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to 09/18/2026. If you have any questions regarding submitting responses or documentation, please contact FRTIB HR Operations (contact information is noted below in this announcement) prior to the closing date of the announcement. If multiple copies of the same document are uploaded/faxed and submitted with your application, FRTIB will only consider the last copy of the document uploaded/faxed when determining your eligibility and qualifications. For example, if you upload/fax two or more resumes only the last resume uploaded/faxed and submitted will be considered. If your supporting documents and resume are illegible or do not provide the necessary information for the Human Resources Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to make a qualification determination, you may lose consideration for this position. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. If you have any concerns or questions regarding required documentation, please contact FRTIB HR Operations (contact information is noted below in this announcement). Note to applicants: To assist us with an expeditious application review process, please do not submit additional documentation from what is being requested in the announcement. The following documents are not required and do not need to be submitted with your application: Diplomas of any type (when education documents are required, you must submit unofficial transcripts, not diplomas) Letters of recommendation, reference, or congratulations, etc. Any documents with a picture of the applicant You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.