Benefits Advisor

Open & closing dates

05/14/2026 to 05/21/2026

Salary

$62,729 - $145,468 per year based on location and grade

EBSA plays a vital role in protecting the retirement, health, and other job-based benefits of America's workers, retirees, and their families. We issue effective regulations, offer comprehensive education and assistance to workers, plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and service providers, and rigorously enforce the law. We serve workers, families, and the broader employee benefits community by protecting the security and integrity of the nation's benefit systems.

The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and be eligible for telework as determined by agency policy. This is not a remote position. Offices are located in Boston, MA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Silver Spring, MD; Atlanta, GA; Plantation, FL; Dallas, TX; Fort Wright, KY; Kansas City, MO; Chicago, IL; Pasadena, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Seattle, WA. For specific locations, please see: DOL offices. Advertised salary reflects the minimum and maximum pay for the listed locations. Upon selection, the salary will be set in accordance with the selectee's assigned duty location.

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-09, GS-11, and GS-12 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 the following:

• Provide information and guidance to plan administrators, service providers, participants, beneficiaries, the public, and other agencies about ERISA and related laws.
• Assist participants and beneficiaries in obtaining benefits they are entitled to but have not been able to secure, following EBSA procedures and resolving issues informally with employers when possible.
• Conduct research and fact-finding, analyze data, review eligibility or entitlement to benefits, and prepare clear responses by examining relevant records.
• Identify situations that may involve criminal activity, complex civil disputes, or potential fiduciary violations, and develop appropriate investigative referrals.
• Educate individuals about their rights and responsibilities under ERISA and related laws, and assist in planning and delivering outreach events and distributing educational materials.

GS-09: You must meet 3 out of the 4 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 and communicating clearly in both writing and speech to wide-ranging audiences.
• Experience delivering educational information (e.g., drafting materials 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 working relationships with tact, empathy, and professionalism, including effectively engaging individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, and collaborating respectfully with people of varied perspectives and experiences.

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.

GS-11: You must meet 3 out of the 4 examples of specialized experience listed here. Qualifying specialized experience for the GS-11 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 wide-ranging 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 strong working relationships with tact, empathy, and professionalism, including effectively engaging individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, and collaborating respectfully with people of varied perspectives and experiences.

OR - you may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., if related.

GS-12: You must meet 4 out of the 5 examples of specialized experience listed here. Qualifying specialized experience for the GS-12 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 wide-ranging 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 strong working relationships with tact, empathy, and professionalism, including effectively engaging individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, and collaborating respectfully with people of varied perspectives and experiences.

There is no substitution of education for the required specialized experience for this position at the GS-12 level.