[Hiring] Senior Retirement and Benefits Specialist @AvantGarde

Role Description

AvantGarde, LLC (AG) seeks a full-time Senior Retirement and Benefits Specialist to support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by providing retirement and benefits program administration, employee counseling, case management, and benefits processing services. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert in Federal retirement and benefits programs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies while providing guidance and support to employees, managers, annuitants, and beneficiaries. This is a telework-approved position that supports HHS human resources operations and mission requirements.

• Provide expert retirement and benefits program support, guidance, and customer service to employees, managers, annuitants, eligible family members, former employees, survivors, and beneficiaries, ensuring timely, accurate, and professional responses to inquiries.
• Interpret and apply Federal retirement and benefits laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to programs including FERS, CSRS, FERCCA, TSP, FEHB, FEDVIP, FEGLI, FLTCIP, FSAFEDS, and other related employee benefit programs.
• Research and resolve complex retirement and benefits issues by analyzing policies, regulations, and guidance and coordinating with external agencies and organizations, including OPM, TSP, and SSA, as appropriate.
• Receive, review, compile, process, and track retirement and benefits actions utilizing automated systems, including eOPF, DFAS, EWITS, DPRW, and related applications, while maintaining accurate records and case documentation.
• Conduct new employee orientations, benefits briefings, training sessions, and presentations on retirement, benefits, and employee entitlement programs; coordinate presentations and outreach activities with external program representatives as needed.
• Maintain case management and tracking systems, provide timely status updates on assigned actions, and ensure accurate records management and completion of workload requirements in accordance with established service standards.
• Coordinate effectively with managers, HR staff, program officials, and external stakeholders while managing multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and mission-critical requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience supporting Federal retirement, benefits, or Human Resources operations is required; education-to-experience equivalency may be considered.
• Extensive knowledge of Federal personnel laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, including Title 5, payroll administration, compensation programs, personnel processing, records management, leave administration, and service credit determinations.
• Demonstrated experience processing and reviewing a wide range of Federal personnel and payroll actions, including pay setting, premium pay, leave-related actions, Service Computation Date (SCD) calculations, debt management activities, and retroactive personnel transactions.
• Experience conducting quality assurance reviews, records audits, data reconciliations, and problem resolution activities to ensure compliance, accuracy, and integrity of HR and payroll data.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to independently resolve complex personnel and payroll issues in a dynamic and evolving work environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and customer service skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical HR information to employees, managers, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of work in a dynamic environment, effectively prioritize competing assignments, multitask across multiple projects, and meet established deadlines while maintaining exceptional accuracy, quality, and customer service.
• Experience processing retirement and benefits actions and utilizing automated Federal HR and benefits systems, including eOPF, DFAS, EWITS, DPRW, ORA, GRB Platform, FHR Navigator, and other related case management and benefits administration systems, or similar systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Federal Public Trust clearance or other required background investigation.

Requirements

• Work in a primarily sedentary telework environment, utilizing standard office technology, virtual collaboration platforms, and agency-provided systems, while participating in virtual or occasional in-person meetings, training sessions, orientations, and outreach activities as required.

Company Description

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the Federal Government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Through its operating divisions and staff offices, HHS administers a wide range of programs that enhance public health, advance scientific research, strengthen healthcare access, and support vulnerable populations across the nation.

To achieve its mission, HHS relies on effective human capital management and workforce operations supported by accurate personnel processing, payroll administration, records management, and HR compliance services. These functions are critical to maintaining a high-performing workforce and ensuring the Department can effectively serve the American public.