Benefits Specialist

About the role

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.

What you will do

• 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.

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.
• 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 you will be evaluated

To preview the occupational questionnaire, click on the following link *** You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the above qualifications.

Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Retirement Benefits Program Administration Contractor Performance Oversight Problem Solving Reasoning Writing Partnering Influencing/Negotiating Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Documents you must provide

• Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB: 1.
• Federal Resume Information: Your resume may be longer than two pages; however, only the first two pages will be reviewed when we evaluate your qualifications.
• Anything beyond page two will not be considered.
• Be sure the first two pages of your resume clearly show the relevant experience you want us to consider, including the start and end dates for each job (month, day, and year) and the number of hours you worked each week (for example, 40 hours/week).
• If your resume does not include this information, we may not be able to determine whether you qualify, and you may not be considered for this position.
• If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent version will be used to evaluate your application.
• Responses to the occupational questionnaire.
• You must submit supporting documents verifying your eligibility to apply to this vacancy, selection priority eligibility, or any preference eligibility along with your application package.
• Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you.
• These documents may include, but are not limited to: SF-50 If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a SF-50 showing the highest grade level held in the position for which you are using to qualify.
• Your SF-50 must also include the Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential (if applicable) to verify your status and eligibility.
• If you are unable to provide your most recent SF-50, you should submit a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable.
• This explanation should include your Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential.
• Failure to submit the required SF50 document or statement of explanation will result in an ineligible rating under merit promotion procedures.
• Veteran's documentation DD-214 - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other equivalent documentation to prove your entitlement and to verify your type of discharge.
• Failure to provide this information may result in your application not receiving preference.
• VA Letter and SF-15 - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based on a Compensable Disability, Widow or Spouse Entitlement, or as a Purple Heart recipient, you must submit your DD-214 or other proof of entitlement as described above; and SF-15, and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later.
• Failure to provide this documentation may result in your application not receiving preference.
• (Please see veteran eligibility documentation for more information on veterans' preference in federal hiring).
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable.
• For more information, please go to ***
• Preference eligible documentation.
• If claiming 10-point preference you must submit the final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information), as well as the DD-214 Member Copy 4.
• The SF-15 will be requested if selected.
• RIF separation notice along with your last performance rating or appraisal.
• Schedule A documentation.
• A qualifying letter from a doctor's or vocational rehabilitation office indicating you are eligible for hire under the Schedule A hiring authority.
• Transcripts must be legible and possess the school name imprinted on the transcript or be on school letterhead; you may be asked to submit official transcripts upon selection.
• A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation which you have received in the last 3 years.
• If you do not have a current performance appraisal you must submit a statement as to why it is not available, and if your performance was at an acceptable level.
• In this explanation you should include your final rating.
• Failure to submit your current Performance Appraisal or a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable you will be deemed ineligible from further consideration.

What to expect next

Once your application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your final rating places you among the top candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for further review. If your name is referred to the selecting official, you may be contacted directly by the office for a possible interview.

You may also check the status of your application through your USAJOBS profile. When the entire vacancy announcement process has been completed you will receive notice via email (or by mail if no email address was provided during the application process). Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after the vacancy has closed to inquire about the status of your application.

Additional information

The FRTIB offers wonderful benefits and work/life-balance flexibilities to help empower and reflect respect for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off*, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the federal retirement system.

We offer, as applicable, flexible work hours, annual and sick leave, transit and childcare subsidies, free and confidential employee assistance and occupational health referral services, free on-site fitness center, and off-site fitness membership reimbursement. Further benefits and flexibility details are located here: FRTIB Employee Benefits.

The FRTIB offices are conveniently located within a few blocks of the Union Station metro station. In addition, private parking is available in the building at the posted daily and monthly rates. Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position; however, other recruitment incentives may be authorized.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veterans must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

(Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and you are found Well Qualified for this vacancy.

Well Qualified means you must meet all the minimum qualification standards listed above and be assessed and assigned the rating of at least Well Qualified to receive special selection priority. Well Qualified is further defined as possessing the Basic Qualifications and meeting the specialized experience noted above.

You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority.

Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition website.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act.

Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to ***.