Summary The Benefits Officer oversees and performs a wide range of duties related to federal retirement, benefits administration and operational support and services to the Court. The incumbent will provide oversight of the day-to-day operations of a branch. The incumbent will be responsible for supervising a staff of Human Resources professionals, managing and improving work processes, providing individual and team technical and program guidance, and enhancing employee development. Responsibilities The Benefits Officer duties include but are not limited to the following: Provides leadership to a Benefits Team responsible for administering the Federal Employees Health Benefit and Federal Group Life Insurance Programs; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Federal Long Term Care Program, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP); and Federal Retirement Systems (Civil Service Retirement System, Federal Employees Retirement System). In addition, the Benefits Team oversees the short and long-term disability; transportation subsidy; pre-tax parking; unemployment; and worker’s compensation. Provides individual counseling and calculations to DC Court Judges’ and their spouses on the DC Judges Retirement Plan and the Judicial Retirement Survivors Annuity Fund. The incumbent will receive training on these two programs. Identifies and implements process improvements and enhancements to ensure continued excellence in work production and efficient advisory services. Facilitates the successful onboarding of new employees and judges. Provides individual retirement counseling and performs calculations. Provides information on federal retirement options, eligibility requirements, health and life insurance implications, the impact of prior government or military service, divorce and remarriage, the role of Social Security, and the implications of retirement savings plans. Reviews applications for retirement including retirement health and life insurance for accuracy and completeness. Prepares written communications to judges, court officials, and employees regarding retirement, benefit initiatives and other relevant programs. Provides oversight to Office of Worker's Compensation (OWCP) Program and processes to assist employees and reduce OWCP costs, coordinates with Department of Labor, medical professionals, and management, to return employees to work as soon as medically possible. Develops, modifies, and facilitates basic, intermediate, advanced or refresher training presentations in employee benefits programs such as workers' compensation, retirement, and TSP. Oversees the timely and accurate processing of all payroll/personnel actions using the Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS) and Workforce Transformation and Tracking System (WTTS). Oversees and ensures quality and informative onboarding and off-boarding of employees. Ensures exit interviews are conducted and that transferring or separating employees receive all necessary benefit information. Requirements Conditions of Employment A background and/or security investigation is required. Probationary period of one (1) year. To qualify for this position, you must submit the following: 1. Resume 2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire 3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree) 4. List of three (3) professional references All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in human resource management, business administration, public administration or a closely related field; plus six (6) years of experience in human resources including a minimum of three (3) years in Benefits Administration, and three (3) years of supervisory experience. The successful candidate must possess strong verbal and written communication skills. Three (3) years of experience administering federal benefits, processing federal retirement applications, and conducting retirement counseling (FERS, CSRS) is required. Graduation from the Courts’ Management Training Program may substitute for one (1) year of supervisory experience. You must provide documentation of your management training (i.e. copy of certificate) with your application. *Applicants please be advised that your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience and that you meet the basic qualifications or you will not be determined qualified for this position. * This is not a remote position. Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts are required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted. The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency. Education To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ Additional Information This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service. Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all new court employees. All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date. DC Court employees are eligible for the following federal benefits: The Federal Employee Health Insurance Program (FEHB) Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Dental & Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Federal Retirement – (FERS) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Federal Long- Term Care Insurance (OPM has suspended new enrollments, but current enrollments remain as is) Additional benefits include an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Commuter benefits and disability insurance.