Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits) is required to have knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and precedents of Federal employee retirement, group life insurance, health benefits, and Thrift Savings Plan programs. Employee Benefits Specialist is required to have knowledge of standardized principles, practices, and procedures of injury compensation, and standardized fact-finding and research techniques. Employee Benefits professionals provide guidance and consultation to agencies, current and former employees, annuitants, survivors, and eligible family members regarding retirement, insurance, health benefits, and injury compensation.
Flowchart Description: Employees are commonly hired as an Entry-Level (GS5-GS9) Employee Benefits Specialist from all other specialty areas or from outside of the Federal Government. Less commonly, Entry-Level positions may be filled with a transfer from another job series. Also less commonly, employees from other specialties areas may advance directly to the Full Performance (GS11-GS12) Level and the Expert (GS13-GS15) Level. From the Entry-Level (GS5-GS9), employees may advance to the Full Performance (GS11-GS12) Level, then to the Expert (GS13-GS15) Level, and then to the Managerial (GS15, SES) Level. From the Executive Services Policy advancement both the Full Performance (GS11-GS12) Level and the Expert (GS13-GS15) Level is common.
Select each career level for additional information.