Not Required

Duties

This position is located in the Cincinnati Regional Office. Benefits Advisors respond to participant and beneficiary inquiries and complaints and provide technical assistance on the obligations of employers, plan sponsors, and service providers under ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, MHPAEA, etc. They resolve valid complaints through informal dispute resolution, refer complaints to enforcement involving potential criminal activity or plan wide issues that cannot be resolved informally, and serve as the focal point of the DOL liaison with the general public. The duties and responsibilities at the GS-07 and GS-09 levels are generally comparable; however, as you advance, the degree of supervision and guidance will decrease and the duties and responsibilities will increase. Major duties for this position include but are not limited to: Offer information and guidance to plan administrators, service providers, participants, beneficiaries, the public, and other agencies on ERISA and related regulations, with support from supervisory staff. Help participants and beneficiaries obtain entitled benefits, develop recoveries and referrals according to EBSA procedures, and work with employers to resolve benefit issues, with supervisory support. Research and analyze data, prepare information for specific situations, and respond to inquiries. Identify potential criminal or complex civil cases needing formal investigation, or fiduciary law violations, and develop investigative referrals with supervisory guidance. Inform individuals about their ERISA rights and responsibilities, assist with outreach events, and distribute employee benefits and retirement savings information, with supervisory support. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To be eligible for appointment under the College Graduate authority, applicants must meet requirement A or B. A. Applicants who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a Qualifying Educational Institution within the previous two years or within 60 days of the vacancy closing date (05/06/2026). OR B. Veterans who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a Qualifying Educational Institution and have an intervening period of obligated service of at least four years in the uniformed services. The two-year eligibility period begins on the date of discharge or release from the uniformed service. In addition to meeting the eligibility listed above, you must also meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. For GS-07: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-05 in the Federal Service. For GS-09: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-07 in the Federal Service. GS-07. You must meet 3 out of the 4 examples of specialized experience listed here: Qualifying specialized experience for the GS-07 is defined as: Experience working in a customer service environment providing information or assistance, resolving inquiries or complaints, and communicating clearly in both writing and speech to diverse audiences. Experience delivering educational information, outreach, or training (e.g., drafting materials, conducting briefings or presentations, and responding to questions) tailored to the audience and subject matter. Experience using research and analytical methods to identify and analyze problems and gathering, validating, and compiling data. Experience building and maintaining effective working relationships using tact, empathy, and professionalism, including engaging individuals who may be difficult, hostile, or distressed, and working respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds. OR - you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement defined as 1 (or more) of the following: graduating in the upper 1/3 of the class; membership in a national honor society; earning an undergrad GPA of 2.95 (on a 4.0 scale) in the final 2 undergrad years completed; earning an overall undergrad GPA of 2.95; earning an undergrad GPA of 3.45 in the major during the final 2 undergrad years completed; earning an overall undergrad GPA of 3.45 in the major. OR - One year of related progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree. OR - Combination of Education and Experience: An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience. GS-09: You must meet 4 out of the 5 examples of specialized experience listed here. Qualifying specialized experience for the GS-09 is defined as: Experience working in a customer service environment providing information or assistance, resolving inquiries or complaints, and communicating clearly in both writing and speech to diverse audiences. Experience delivering educational information, outreach, or training (e.g., drafting materials, conducting briefings or presentations, and responding to questions) tailored to the audience and subject matter. Experience applying and interpreting laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to employee benefit plans (e.g., ERISA, reporting/disclosure) or a similar regulatory framework. Experience using research and analytical methods to identify and analyze problems; gathering, validating, and compiling data from multiple sources; evaluating alternatives; and making well-supported recommendations. Experience building and maintaining effective working relationships using tact, empathy, and professionalism, including engaging individuals who may be difficult, hostile, or distressed, and working respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds. OR - you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Other Information

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION This position is inside the bargaining unit. The position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit. Click here for Career Ladder Promotion Information Click for Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy. Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click for Additional Information. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71. 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 Competency Based 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. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. For more detailed information on applying for positions with DOL click here to view the U.S. Department of Labor How to Apply website.