Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; well qualified displaced and surplus Federal employees in the local commuting area; individuals eligible for special hiring authorities and veterans who are eligible for special hiring authorities.

The incumbent serves as the first point of contact for all organizational segments on issues related to training and development and is responsible for a comprehensive, organizational development program, for planning and conducting surveys of training needs, competency, achievement, and skills gaps, and for evaluating and recommending modifications to the overall training program. The incumbent also drafts, recommends, and promotes the development of policies and guidance on agency-wide training and development programs and services. Has full technical responsibility for independently carrying out studies and projects involving employee training and development including program evaluation and assessment of new technology. Provides management advisory services activities at high levels within the agency and principal Bureaus regarding this area of expertise. Analyzes related human resources management issues and problems and develops recommendations and alternative solutions. Serves as agency representative in inter-agency and intra-agency negotiations, discussions, working groups, and both formal and informal advisory forums to assist with presenting, defending and negotiating FTC positions as a recognized representative of senior administrative management. Examples of specific assignment activities include:

1. Provides a full range of training and career development functions including needs assessment, identification of training sources inside and outside the agency, program design for a wide variety of employees (e.g., executive, management, supervisory, professional, administrative, (etc.), and individually tailored development programs (IDP's);
2. Performs short and long term skills assessments against projected needs of FTC programs, and recommends approaches to minimize anticipated skill gaps;
3. Actively markets training and development activities as integral and vital human resources elements needed to effectively meet agency operational and strategic program objectives;
4. Works creatively with internal and external human resources, information technology, and private sector contacts to assess and implement new training and development approaches such as tong-distance computer/web-based courses;
5. Works with individuals and planning groups to tailor FTC programs, perform needs assessments, satisfaction surveys, and after-action evaluations, and recommends action for the Chief Learning Officer's consideration;
6. Negotiates contracts with outside vendors and prepares procurement justifications;
7. Reviews and approves employee training requests, ensuring that all-regulatory and technical requirements are met;
8. Serves as a liaison to the Commission's Training Council, which comprises representatives from a cross-section of agency staff and organizations. The incumbent plans meetings and assists the Chief Learning Officer in overseeing the work of the Council in advancing training initiatives at the Commission;
9. Develops and maintains a working liaison with training and development in other federal agencies and private sector organizations.
10. Assists in the development and ensures the quality control of the agency's annual training budget. Works with staff from Budget and Finance, EEO, and other agency personnel maintain an accurate accounting of the agency's training budget;
11. Promotes the benefits of training and development programs to employees, supervisors, managers and senior officials, using a variety of creative and innovative marketing approaches;
12. Assists in the development and preparation of an annual report on the agency's training, development and appraisal program;
13. Assists the Learning Management System (LMS) Super Administrator in ensuring the LMS is providing peak performance. Conducts outreach efforts to ensure Commission personnel are aware of the system's features and functionality. Assists in the design and development of FTC-specific courses for placement into the LMS.
14. Designs and develops eLearning content for a variety of audiences and delivery modes (computer-based training, online, webinar, etc.) with clear strategies and tactics to achieve desired learning outcomes.
15. Leads or participates in special projects as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirement by the closing date of this vacancy.
• You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Human Resources Specialist at the GS-12 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:

• Experience providing high level technical, advisory and consultative services regarding federal laws, policies and procedures related to the development, administration and evaluation of training and development programs.
• Experience analyzing various agency or government-wide programs to effectively research, analyze, and present various ideas and options to a wide range of audiences, and tactfully, persuasively sell changes and solutions.
• Experience analyzing proposed regulatory/policy changes, and new technological approaches to prepare written recommendations to present to senior management with alternative positions or modified agency strategic human resources management policies and objectives with emphasis in assigned specialty area.
• Experience applying the United States Code, Code of Federal Regulations and standard operating procedures to provide a general outline of the concepts, methods and approaches of human resources management to be followed.
• Experience using judgment and initiative to modify, adapt, and refine to resolve specific complex issues or problems.

To qualify for a Human Resources Specialist at the GS-13 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:

• Experience identifying and recommending solutions to difficult issues related to improving operational and strategic aspects of this program through the identification of effective training plans, annual training initiatives, and effective approaches to short and long-range planning and evaluation efforts.
• Experience using in-depth analysis to determine the means of resolution, and the application of a variety of non-related principles amid guidelines to a broad range of problems or human resources management issues.
• Knowledge of and experience applying legal and regulatory practices, principles and techniques in human resource development and related human resources management functions.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your résumé and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.