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

• Helps improve the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) so it delivers quality services to participants and beneficiares.
• Acts as a main point of contact between the TSP and key partners - such as payroll offices, contractors, and internal teams - to support innovation and strategic goals.
• Creates oversight guidelines and regularly reviews the TSP program to make sure it follows Agency policies.
• Leads the development of TSP policies to improve how retirement benefits are delivered by overseeing and monitoring TSP recordkeeper performance for accuracy, timeliness, and consistency with stated program objectives, policies, and guidelines.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• All qualification requirements must be met by 11/09/2026.
• 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.
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• 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.
• Background Suitability Investigation.
• Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a federal suitability or security clearance.
• If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.
• 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.
• Specials selection priority consideration will be given under the Career Transition Assistance program (CTAP) to well-qualified surplus or displaced candidates within the local commuting area.

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience for this series and grade combination.

How you will be evaluated

will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: ***

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.
• 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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (***)