Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits / Workers Compensation).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an effective Workers' Compensation Program integrated with agency-wide initiatives, ensuring compliance with federal and agency policies.
• Research, interpret, and apply regulatory guidance and policies related to workers’ compensation, and disseminate new or revised procedures and information to staff and management.
• Provide technical advice and assistance to HR staff, supervisors, and managers on complex or controversial workers’ compensation claims and inquiries.
• Coordinate and conduct investigations of employee injuries, establish factual records, and prepare documentation for claims processing and challenges.
• Present relevant information and evidence to the Department of Labor (DOL) for the challenge of claims, including potential fraud or invalid claims.
• Analyze compensation cases and periodic rolls to identify employees with a reasonable probability of returning to work, and coordinate rehabilitation or return-to-work efforts.
• Work closely with HR specialists and management to identify or modify positions and provide reasonable accommodations for employees with medical restrictions.
• Audit and analyze quarterly and annual workers’ compensation costs and charge-back billings, identify errors, and recommend corrective actions to ensure cost accuracy.
• Promote and adhere to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and civil rights policies in all communications and program activities.
• Deliver training, workshops, and informational sessions to employees and managers on workers’ compensation policies, procedures, and emerging developments.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Newly hired employees must present documentation for DHS Form I-9 on entry-on-duty date, verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• If selected, may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to appointment to determine suitability and authorize a background investigation.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in Grade

Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g., one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level).

GS-09 Qualification Requirements

Specialized Experience (GS-07 level): 52 weeks or more of specialized experience that includes:

• Navigating HR systems such as NFC, ECOMP, GovTA, etc.
• Assisting others by providing basic information and preliminary guidance on workers' compensation claims and inquiries.
• Maintaining data tracking systems by entering information, updating status changes, and verifying accuracy.

Education in lieu of experience: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, LL.B., or J.D.

Combination of Education and Experience: An appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. Compute experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; compute education as a percentage of the education listed above; the total must equal at least 100%. Only graduate education beyond the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used.

GS-11 Qualification Requirements

Specialized Experience (GS-09 level): 52 weeks or more of specialized experience that includes:

• Utilizing HR systems to process, track, document, and monitor actions to support employees and supervisors (systems may include NFC, ECOMP, GovTA, etc.).
• Researching and reviewing workers' compensation regulations, agency guidance, and policy to identify applicable requirements and provide guidance.
• Assisting employees, supervisors, and HR staff by providing information and basic counseling on workers' compensation claims and inquiries, helping them understand claim procedures, documentation needs, and timelines.
• Supporting the lifecycle management of workers' compensation claims by assisting with timely and accurate processing.
• Sharing workers' compensation information orally through phone calls, informal briefings, or training discussion, ensuring employees and supervisors understand claim processes, reporting requirements, and available resources.

Education in lieu of experience: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related.

Combination of Education and Experience: An appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. Compute experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; compute education as a percentage of the education listed above; the total must equal at least 100%. Only graduate education beyond the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used.

GS-12 Qualification Requirements

Specialized Experience (GS-11 level): 52 weeks or more of specialized experience that includes:

• Navigating and utilizing ECOMP to submit claims, upload documents, track claim actions, and support employees and supervisors in using the system effectively.
• Researching, interpreting, and analyzing complex workers' compensation statutes, regulatory guidance, and agency policies to ensure organizational compliance.
• Providing guidance and counseling to employees, supervisors, and HR staff regarding workers' compensation claims, eligibility criteria, claim processes, and required documentation.
• Advising peers or leadership on workers' compensation policy requirements, operational impacts, and emerging trends, contributing to informed decision-making and program improvement.
• Managing end-to-end lifecycle of workers' compensation claims to ensure timely and accurate processing.
• Delivering oral briefings, training, presentations to employees, managers, or leadership to explain workers' compensation processes, requirements, and best practices.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of all relevant college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty.

Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service.

Additional Information

• Selectees may be eligible for Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligibility applies.
• Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees provisions.
• Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.
• If selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.