Benefits & OWCP Specialist

Thank you for considering IT Concepts dba Kentro, where innovation drives opportunity and collaboration leads to success. Our dynamic community of experts is fully committed to advancing our customers' missions, fostering professional growth, and making a positive impact on our communities.                                                

Our transition to Kentro in 2025 reflects a rich legacy built upon the foundation of IT Concepts. Rather than leaving ITC behind, we confidently embrace a future centered around the Core of More. By joining our supportive community, you will find that Kentro is dedicated to your personal and professional development. Together, we can drive meaningful change, spark innovation, and achieve extraordinary milestones.

Kentro is hiring a Benefits & OWCP Specialistsupporting the USAID. The objective of this contract is to provide senior-level advisory services to the USAID Human Resources Director in support of the agency’s strategic wind-down. The Senior Advisors will leverage deep institutional knowledge of USAID and the Department of State to guide the implementation of critical foreign service personnel actions—including severance, retirements, and staff transitions—while ensuring compliance with U.S. Government regulations and facilitating coordination with interagency partners. 

This position is located within USAID’s Bureau for Management, Office of Human Resources (HCTM), Labor and Employee Relations and Benefits Division. The incumbent serves as a senior technical authority in Federal employee benefits and injury compensation, administering complex retirement, insurance, and leave programs, as well as the Agency’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) portfolio. The role requires mastery of applicable laws, regulations, and policies to resolve complex programmatic issues, develop legislative or regulatory proposals, and ensure seamless delivery of benefits and OWCP services to Civil Service, Foreign Service, and Senior Executive Service employees worldwide.

Responsibilities:

Employee Benefits Administration (40%)

• Serve as the Agency’s subject matter expert for Federal benefits programs, including CSRS, FERS, FEHB, FEGLI, FEDVIP, FLTCIP, TSP, and voluntary leave donation.
• Counsel employees, annuitants, and survivors on complex benefit matters, including eligibility, enrollment, coordination of multiple retirement systems, and health or life insurance coverage during life events or retirement.
• Develop and disseminate policy, interpret regulations, and provide procedural guidance to headquarters and overseas personnel offices.
• Coordinate with the U.S. Department of State, NFC Payroll, and other federal agencies to ensure accurate and timely processing of benefits transactions.
• Conduct benefits briefings and retirement seminars.

Retirement Program Administration (20%)

• Administer retirement programs for Civil and Foreign Service employees, ensuring compliance with OPM and agency requirements.
• Advise on complex civilian and military service credit deposits, re-deposits, and post-56 military deposits.
• Resolve retirement claims involving multiple benefit systems (e.g., military retirement, Social Security, federal civilian service).
• Review and process retirement applications to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Injury Compensation Program Administration (20%)

• Administer the Agency’s OWCP program, including intake, processing, and case management for employee injury and illness claims.
• Review, verify, and submit claim forms and supporting documentation to the Department of Labor’s OWCP.
• Maintain comprehensive case files, track claim statuses, and ensure timely follow-up with claimants and OWCP representatives.
• Advise supervisors and employees on OWCP rights, responsibilities, and return-to-work programs.

Program Leadership and Policy Development (10%)

• Represent USAID in interagency forums and working groups related to benefits and injury compensation.
• Develop and recommend legislative or regulatory proposals to improve program effectiveness.
• Identify and implement new or modified benefits and OWCP processes to enhance service delivery.
• Provide authoritative input for audits, GAO inquiries, and congressional requests.

Training, Outreach, and Special Projects (10%)

• Create and deliver educational materials, job aids, and reference guides for employees, supervisors, and HR staff.
• Conduct targeted outreach for employees facing critical benefit decisions (e.g., impending retirement, OWCP claims, life insurance changes).
• Participate in cross-functional projects, policy reviews, and operational improvement initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business, or related field, or equivalent specialized experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of specialized federal HR experience in employee benefits and/or OWCP administration.
• Mastery of laws, regulations, and policies governing federal employee benefits (Title 5 CFR, FEHB Act, CSRS/FERS, FEGLI, TSP regulations).
• Demonstrated experience applying analytical and diagnostic techniques to resolve complex benefit and injury compensation cases.
• Proficiency with HR systems such as NFC, HRConnect, Employee Express, and eOPF.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience delivering briefings and training.

Preferred Qualifications

• USAID or foreign affairs agency HR experience.
• OPM benefits and retirement certification(s) or equivalent formal training.
• Experience developing legislative or regulatory proposals related to federal benefits.
• Familiarity with injury compensation case management software and OWCP ECOMP system.
• Experience managing benefits programs in an overseas or multi-post environment.

Clearance:

• Willing and able to get a Public Trust Clearance.

The Company

We believe in generating success collaboratively, enabling long-term mission success, and building trust for the next challenge. With you as our partner, let’s solve challenges, think innovatively, and maximize impact. As a valued member of our team, you have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse range of technology and business career paths, all while supporting our nation and delivering innovative technology solutions. We are a close community of experts that pride ourselves on creating an environment defined by teamwork, dedication, and excellence.

We hold three ISO certifications (27001:2013, 20000-1:2011, 9001:2015) and two CMMI ML 3 ratings (DEV and SVC).

Industry Recognition

Growth | Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, DC Metro List Fastest Growing; Washington Business Journal: Fastest Growing Companies, Top Performing Small Technology Companies in Greater D.C.

Culture | Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 Honoree; Virginia Best Place to Work; Washington Business Journal: Best Places to Work, Corporate Diversity Index Winner – Mid-Size Companies, Companies Owned by People of Color; Department of Labor’s HireVets for our work helping veterans transition; SECAF Award of Excellence finalist; Victory Military Friendly Brand; Virginia Values Veterans (V3); Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Breath Award

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits package including paid time off, healthcare benefits, supplemental benefits, 401k including an employer match, discount perks, rewards, and more.  We invest in our employees – Every employee is eligible for education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development.  Reimbursement amounts may fluctuate due to IRS limitations. We want you to grow as an expert and a leader and offer flexibility for you to take a course, complete a certification, or other professional growth and networking. We are committed to supporting your curiosity and sustaining a culture that prioritizes commitment to continuous professional development.

We work hard; we play hard. Kentro is committed to incorporating fun into every day. We dedicate funds for activities – virtual and in-person – e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations. In alignment with our commitment to our communities, we also host and attend charity galas/events. We believe in appreciating your commitment and building a positive workspace for you to be creative, innovative, and happy.

Commitment Equal Opportunity Employment & VEVRAA

Kentro is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Kentro is strongly committed to compliance with VEVRAA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing equal employment opportunity. We have developed comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure our hiring practices align with these requirements.

As part of our VEVRAA compliance efforts, Kentro has established an equal opportunity plan outlining our commitment to recruiting, hiring, and advancing protected veterans. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness.

We encourage protected veterans to self-identify during the application process. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for reporting and compliance purposes as required by law. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your employment eligibility.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity extends beyond legal compliance. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, including protected veterans, are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

How to Apply

To apply to Kentro Positions- Please click on the: “Apply for this Job” button at the bottom of this Job Description or the button at the top: “Application.”  Please upload your resume and complete all the application steps. You must submit the application for Kentro to consider you for a position.  If you need alternative application methods, please email [email protected] and request assistance.  

Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to discuss reasonable accommodations, please email [email protected].