The Federal government is looking to fill HR Specialist positions across many different agencies through this shared job announcement. HR Specialists serve in essential, mission-driven roles and have the opportunity to help the government achieve a trusted effective civilian workforce. In this position, you will serve as a Human Resources Specialist. Typical work assignments may include:
Supporting managers and other stakeholders in identifying, attracting, hiring, and retaining a high-quality and diverse workforce that is capable of accomplishing the organization's mission.
Using automated human resources information systems to perform HR activities (e.g., qualifications review).
Collaborating with hiring managers to understand their staffing needs and develop workforce management strategies to meet future organizational demands.
Analyzing job duties and requirements to develop and classify position descriptions.
Assisting managers with onboarding new staff.
Using hiring data to provide insights on the hiring process and hiring trends.
Providing guidance to employees on pay, leave, and benefits.
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
Travel and security clearance requirements will vary depending on the hiring agency's policy.
New employees must serve a one year probationary period.
Some positions may be covered by a bargaining unit depending on the hiring agency.
Per Public Law 104-134, all Federal employees are required to have Federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
Position Sensitivity and Risk vary based on the hiring agency.
Promotion potential varies based on the hiring agency. Some positions may have promotion potential to higher grade levels.
Some positions may require a pre-employment drug test and/or random drug testing during the period of employment.
Remote/virtual opportunities will vary based on the hiring agency's remote/virtual work policy.
Telework will vary based on the hiring agency's telework policy.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying:
FOR GS-09:
Specialized Experience
A. One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors, or through volunteer experience) performing the following duties:
Applying established guidelines to carry out one or more human resources functions (e.g., classification, staffing, recruitment, pay and benefits);
Responding to customer questions about routine, factual matters (e.g., human resources procedures); and
Using an automated system to track human resources related tasks.
--OR-- Education
B. Successful completion of a master's degree or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, J.D. or LL.B., or equivalent graduate degree in human resources, business, management, public administration, public policy, or another closely related field which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
--OR-- Combination
C. A combination of specialized experience as described in A and graduate level education as described in B that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. (Please Note: Only graduate education in excess of the first year (generally, 18 semester hours) may be used in this calculation.)
GS-11:
Specialized Experience
A. One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in the private or public sectors, or through volunteer experience) performing the following duties:
Independently planning and carrying out human resources actions (e.g., classification, staffing, recruitment, pay and benefits) in alignment with established policies;
Providing guidance to customers on human resources rules, flexibilities, or systems;
Using an automated system to complete human resources related tasks; and
Researching laws and policies to recommend solutions to human resources problems.
--OR-- Education
B. Successful completion of a Ph.D. or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., LL.M. or an equivalent doctoral degree in human resources, business, management, public administration, public policy, or another closely related field which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
--OR-- Combination
C. A combination of specialized experience as described in A and graduate level education as described in B that, when combined, equals 100% of the total requirement. (Please Note: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years (generally, 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation).
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work performed 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE DO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must support your application responses.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement 05/08/2023.
Education
If education is being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your graduate transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with your application, if it includes your name, necessary course information, and date degree conferred, if applicable. (Note: Courses that will be completed by 5/31/2023 may be considered, if noted on your resume. If courses are still in progress on your transcript and will be completed by 5/31/2023, please include the anticipated completion date(s) on your resume for consideration.)
If you are selected for a position, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty.
Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at http://www.ed.gov.
Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement 05/08/2023.
Additional information
Final duty station and pay will be determined by the hiring agency.
Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be available and will depend on the hiring agency.
For an audio description version of the video shared in this job opportunity announcement, please use the following link:
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process including the application, resume submission, application questionnaire, and USA Hire competency based assessment and automated writing assessment.
As part of the online assessment, you will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Accountability
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Decision Making
Flexibility
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Reading Comprehension
Reasoning
Self-Management
Stress Tolerance
Teamwork
Writing
Application Questionnaire: Applicants must complete an experience and/or education based application questionnaire as part of the application process. Applicants identified as meeting minimum qualifications for the position will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11923920
Online Competency and Automated Writing Assessment: Applicants must complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessment measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job and the Automated Writing Assessment. Examples used in the assessment may include general situations not directly related to human resources. Applicants submitting complete application packages and completing the online assessment will move on to the next phase of the process. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
If you meet the minimum qualifications, and the passing score for the assessment requirements for this position, your application will be evaluated under Category Rating and Selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
Best Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirement
Ranking and Preference: This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/08/2023.
Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
College transcripts (official or unofficial), if qualifying based on education. Official transcripts will be required prior to appointment. (Note: Courses that will be completed by 5/31/2023 may be considered, if noted on your resume. If courses are still in progress on your transcript and will be completed by 5/31/2023, please include the anticipated completion date(s) on your resume for consideration.)
A complete application questionnaire and the USA Hire Competency Based and Writing Assessment.
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Reasonable Accommodation 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 online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 90 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/08/2023 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/08/2023.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessment; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.
Note, the USA Hire Writing Assessment requires up to 25 minutes to complete. You have 25 minutes to complete the assessment. The essay must be completed in one sitting. You cannot start and stop.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessment. The online assessment must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessment.
To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessment.
We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making tentative job offers, agencies will conduct suitability/security background investigations. Tentative timeframes are described below:
May 2023: Job posting opens.
June 2023: Selections begin to be made.
Selection Process: Participating agencies will receive certificates listing qualified applicants eligible for selection and will begin conducting fit interviews and making offers directly to applicants. Once a job offer is extended to you by any agency and you accept, decline, or do not respond to any contact from an agency, you are not guaranteed another offer, but may receive one from other agencies.
Future consideration: The list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Federal agencies for 12 months. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with additional agencies other than those listed in this specific announcement. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore job opportunity announcements.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 05/08/2023.
Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
College transcripts (official or unofficial), if qualifying based on education. Official transcripts will be required prior to appointment. (Note: Courses that will be completed by 5/31/2023 may be considered, if noted on your resume. If courses are still in progress on your transcript and will be completed by 5/31/2023, please include the anticipated completion date(s) on your resume for consideration.)
A complete application questionnaire and the USA Hire Competency Based and Writing Assessment.
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Reasonable Accommodation 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 online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 90 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/08/2023 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/08/2023.
After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessment; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.
Note, the USA Hire Writing Assessment requires up to 25 minutes to complete. You have 25 minutes to complete the assessment. The essay must be completed in one sitting. You cannot start and stop.
To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessment. The online assessment must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessment.
To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessment.
We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making tentative job offers, agencies will conduct suitability/security background investigations. Tentative timeframes are described below:
May 2023: Job posting opens.
June 2023: Selections begin to be made.
Selection Process: Participating agencies will receive certificates listing qualified applicants eligible for selection and will begin conducting fit interviews and making offers directly to applicants. Once a job offer is extended to you by any agency and you accept, decline, or do not respond to any contact from an agency, you are not guaranteed another offer, but may receive one from other agencies.
Future consideration: The list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Federal agencies for 12 months. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with additional agencies other than those listed in this specific announcement. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore job opportunity announcements.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
