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Posted: March 3, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits)

Defense Human Resources Activity

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$121,785 - $158,322

per year

Closes

March 13, 2026

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves advising on employee benefits like health insurance, retirement, and especially injury compensation programs for federal workers in the Department of Defense.

The role requires handling complex cases, interpreting laws, and communicating with managers and employees to ensure fair and accurate benefits administration.

It's a good fit for someone with strong HR experience in federal benefits who enjoys solving tricky problems and working with government policies.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-11 level providing technical advice on injury compensation cases under FECA and OWCP
  • Ability to interpret and apply federal laws, regulations, and policies to resolve complex or precedent-setting issues
  • Experience communicating complex HR information through written guidance, oral presentations, or briefings to diverse audiences
  • For GS-13: Serve as subject matter expert on highly sensitive FECA cases, advising senior management and legal counsel
  • For GS-13: Develop or recommend new policies and guidance based on legislation analysis and trend studies
  • For GS-13: Lead major projects or studies on federal employee benefits with significant agency impact
  • Conduct quality reviews of compensation claims to ensure accuracy and compliance

Full Job Description

This position is part of the Defense Human Resources Activity.

The incumbent will be responsible for one or more of the following functional areas: Life and health insurance, retirement, injury and unemployment compensation, telework and work life programs. A.

You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the 11 grade level in the Federal service: - Providing technical and advisory services on complex injury compensation cases.

This includes analyzing and resolving difficult issues related to programs such as the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP).

- Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and policies to address controversial or precedent-setting injury compensation issues.

This involves analyzing emerging guidance and third-party decisions (e.g., from the Department of Labor, Office of Personnel Management) to provide accurate and comprehensive responses to management and employees.

- Communicating complex HR program information to diverse audiences.

This includes experience preparing and delivering written guidance, oral presentations, or briefings on sensitive and complex topics to employees, managers, or senior leaders. B.

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service: - Serving as a senior technical authority and subject matter expert on highly complex, sensitive, and precedent-setting cases within Federal Injury Compensation programs.

This includes providing expert, authoritative advice and guidance to senior management, HR professionals, and legal counsel on the interpretation and application of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)and related laws and regulations.

- Developing, authoring, or recommending new agency-wide policies, regulations, or guidance for the administration of injury compensation programs.

This involves analyzing the impact of new legislation, leading studies to identify trends and systemic problems, and creating innovative solutions that establish new precedents or resolve critical program issues.

- Leading or managing major projects or studies related to federal employee benefits that have a significant impact on agency operations or policy.

This includes planning and executing projects, analyzing findings, and preparing authoritative reports and recommendations for senior leadership concerning complex and controversial program matters.

- Representing the agency and defending its interests in high-level settings.

This includes interfacing with stakeholders at the Department of Labor, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and other federal agencies, as well as delivering briefings and presentations on highly visible and contentious injury compensation issues to senior leaders or labor representatives.

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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

As a Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits) at the GS-0201-12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include: - Provides advisory service and guidance to DoW Components on difficult and complex issues on Injury and Unemployment Compensation Programs.

- Conducts quality reviews of injury compensation claims case files and transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance. - Serves on diverse external panels and groups.

Represents DCPAS in dealings with a wide variety of external organizations. - Drafts congressional correspondence in response to inquiries on Injury and Unemployment Compensation Programs.

- May prepare and deliver training on assigned Human Resources (HR) programs addressing complex or emerging laws, regulations or issues.

- Develops formal presentations; conducts briefings for senior leadership on highly visible controversial and misunderstood HR benefits and entitlement programs including injury and unemployment compensation programs.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/4/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: DHRADCPAS-26-12900292-MP