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Human Resources Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Personnel and Training, Employee Relations Office, Employee Benefits and Assistance (PERT/ER/EBA). The Office of Employee Relations (PERT/ER) carries out legislatively mandated policies and programs that relate to core issues of employee conduct and suitability, employee communications, employee benefits and quality of work life features aimed at making the Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies world class places in which to work.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/10/2026 to 03/13/2026
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—With supervisory approval, per Department policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
M/PERT-MPI-2026-0016
Control number
860410000

Duties

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  • Researches, analyzes, and drafts regulations within the scope of authority of the Director General of the Foreign Service, the Director of Personnel, and the Director of the Office of Employee Relations.
  • Researches and analyzes all aspects of benefits to address emerging requirements and evolving conditions of service impacting the Department’s diverse, mobile, and versatile workforce.
  • Serves as the Department’s subject matter expert on leave and travel policy and is recognized across the interagency as an authoritative source.
  • Performs comprehensive analyses and oversees implementation to ensure relevant laws, regulations, and policies are considered and applied in the Department’s development and administration of benefits.
  • Represents the Director and Division Chief in designated working groups, frequently serving as Chair or Co-Chair.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience advising on leave and travel policy.
  • Experience analyzing benefit programs and policies and providing recommendations for improvements.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. 

  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.  If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance.  Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. 

  • Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM’s  CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position. 

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume limited to two pages will be conducted and evaluated by an HR specialist to determine if you are qualified for this job. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Knowledge of theories, principles, practices and techniques governing employee benefits.
  • Ability to develop recommendations for program modifications and improvements.
  • Ability to administer programs.
  • Ability to prioritize work.

Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job to receive consideration for selection priority. To be considered well-qualified, in addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position.


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Department of State - Agency Wide

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides employees with a dynamic international career whether at home or abroad and unique professional development opportunities.  Each day, our employees make a difference as they advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance.  We embrace our talented workforce which reflects the personal, professional, and educational strengths of our country. 

Named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration, innovation, and personal and professional development. Visit careers.state.gov to learn more about what it's like to work at the U.S. Department of State, what the agency does, the wide range of careers this agency offers, and the benefits available to employees.

Agency contact information

Brittany Bell
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
bellbt@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States

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