Summary This position is located in the Workforce Relations Division at Chinle Service Unit, Chinle, AZ and Navajo Area Office, Saint Michaels, AZ under the Navajo Regional Human Resources Office. The incumbent provides technical support, clerical assistance, and will serve as a first level technical expert on Federal Employee Benefits Programs. The incumbent reports to the Workforce Relations Director. Responsibilities Provides technical advice, assists, and informs employees of programs for health benefits, life insurance, thrift savings plans (401K), pay entitlements, leave, allotments, retirement coverages and workmen's compensation. Maintains current information, bulletins, brochures and forms on program benefits. Informs employees on the computation, including regular military time, and other types of services. Researches regulations for verification of service credibility. Conducts orientation for new employees with procedures and regulations relating to their benefits. Assist employee seeking information concerning retirement benefits, disability and other benefit programs. Provides information on voluntary retirement, disability retirement, discontinued service, early out, buy-outs, and other reduction-in-force provision. Provides information to supervisors and employees on Performance Management Appraisal Program, including on the standard effects of incentive award requests. Provides information to employees and supervisors on the preparation of on-the-job injury claim form, continuation of pay (COP) eligibility, medical documentation and report back to all when a decision is made by OWCP. Receives visitors, employees and telephone calls and provides information about benefits, application procedures, requests for personnel forms. Refers call to appropriate staff in Human Resources. Selects situations which can be answered with reference to team supervisor or other client services staff. Receives and review all incoming mail and correspondences, routes to appropriate staff. Composes, corresponds and reviews all documents for formatting, grammar, and spelling errors. Observes rules of confidentiality in retention and dissemination of privileged information. Uses application software/word processing, electronic typewriter, and/or other office automation equipment and various software programs to create documents. Establishes and maintains databases, to include inputting, storing, maintaining, and displaying data for the purpose of providing personnel information to services activities. Requirements Conditions of Employment Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: GS-05: Two (2) years of general experience OR one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level OR four (4) years above high school. Successfully complete education above high school level in any field. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level in the Federal service obtained either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Perform customer service providing assistance related to HR benefits in using automated personnel system and researching eligibility requirements using a variety of office equipment. General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled. GS-06: Perform a full-range of support assignment such as plan, coordinate, develop facts and/or resolve support problems in one or more HR specialties. Uses online HR resources to obtain information accessible over the Internet. Applying basic HR rules, procedures and operations to accomplish routine tasks. Performs a variety of office operations. GS-07: Working in a human resources office using policy and procedures to update and relay information regarding employee health benefits, life insurance, retirement procedures, and workmen's compensation programs, also providing performance management inquires and employee orientation. Performing duties as answering questions and advising applicants of job opportunities by providing administrative assistance to a human resources professional. Time In Grade - Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed. Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This position has promotion potential to the GS-07 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.