Recent Graduate Benefits Advisor

and the job listing Expires on March 16, 2026

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 following are the duties of this position at the GS-09 level. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

• Provide information, guidance, and assistance to plan administrators, plan service providers, participants, beneficiaries, the general public and other government agencies concerning provisions of ERISA and other related statutes, regulations, and Department published guidance, with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.
• Assist participants and beneficiaries in obtaining benefits to which they are entitled but which they have not been able to secure from plan officials. Develop recoveries and referrals per EBSA’s standard operating procedures. Explain the law, regulations or other guidance and works with employers to informally resolve benefit issues; with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.
• Conduct research, fact-finding, analyze data, and prepare and present information about particular situations. Identify and develop responses to inquiries. Review eligibility or entitlement to benefits, including obtaining and examining multiple types of records; with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.
• Identify potential criminal or more complex civil disputes that require formal investigation, or situations where it appears that a fiduciary violation of law has occurred, and develop investigative referrals; with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.
• Educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities under ERISA and other related laws enforced by EBSA. Assist with planning and conducting outreach events; disseminate information related to ERISA employee benefits plan protections and retirement savings education; with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.

Open to applicants who have graduated, within the past two years, (with an associate, bachelor, master, professional, doctorate, diploma, vocational, technical degree, or certificate, etc.) from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical education program (including registered Apprenticeship Programs, Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, Job Corps, Climate Corps). Students who will meet the education requirements at the end of Spring semester 2026 may apply.