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Human Resources Specialist (Compensation)

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide

Summary

This position is in the Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Organization and Talent Analytics, Classification and Compensation Policy Division, Compensation Policy Team (HR/OTA/CCP) which develops and implements compensation policies, programs, and guidance for U.S. direct hire employees and administers the Department’s employee pay claims program. 

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/13/2026 to 04/17/2026
Salary
$102,415 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency 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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
M/HR-MPI-2026-0012
Control number
864808100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Department of State career or career conditional status employees in the competitive service; employees who are on temporary or other non-status appointments who have reinstatement or non-competitive eligibility for a competitive service appointment (e.g., career Foreign Service employees, employees on an excepted service appointment at the USUN who have previous career status, etc.); and CTAP.

Duties

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  • Conducts comprehensive analyses of Foreign Service compensation, regulations, policies complex compensation decisions and precedents and Foreign Service ranks, as well as a range of pay authorities.
  • Analyzes, interprets, and administers Civil Service compensation regulations, policies, and practices, and exercises OPM delegated authority to collaborate in the development of policies on the GS pay system for overseas compensation.
  • Uses qualitative/quantitative analytical methods to research and evaluate moderately complex Civil Service (CS) and Foreign Service (FS) compensation program issues to develop short- and long-range compensation solutions.
  • Conducts compensation studies to make quality improvements to compensation program strategic initiatives such as special differential, recruitment and retention incentive, and pay cap waiver program as well as recognition and award initiatives.
  • Conducts studies on ways to evaluate and improve business processes and automated systems related to compensation programs and projects.
  • At the GS-13 level, the incumbent performs the same duties as outlined above; however, the scope and complexity of assignments are increased, and the incumbent receives less supervision than the GS-12.

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 applying for the GS-12 level:

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 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 analyzing and applying federal compensation policies to resolve pay‑related issues and contributing recommendations for updates to current compensation policies or procedures.
  • Experience collecting and analyzing data on compensation or HR program effectiveness.
  • Experience advising on compensation-related issues (i.e. pay administration, premium pay, incentives or differentials, and/or other pay/employment related issues).

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

Applicants applying at the GS-13 level:

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 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 analyzing federal compensation developments (i.e. legislation, regulatory changes, court decisions, etc.) for impact on agency-level compensation policy. 
  • Experience interpreting compensation policy and precedent to recommend resolution on compensation matters.
  • Experience conducting surveys to evaluate compensation program effectiveness and to develop recommendations for improvement.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov.
  • 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 this Bureau 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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications for this position. The evaluation process consists of an online assessment and a subject matter expert review of your resume. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Ability to analyze information from a variety of sources. 
  • Skill in using qualitative and quantitative analytical methods for research and evaluation.
  • Knowledge of federal compensation policy. 
  • Ability to liaise with various levels of audience.
  • Ability to evaluate and improve business processes.
  • Knowledge of strategic planning techniques.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We do not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.

Resume review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Your resume should demonstrate how you meet all aspects of the specialized experience statement. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened.). If meeting basic qualifications through education only or a combination of education and experience, applicants will not be referred to the SME panel but will be reviewed by the HR Specialist for referral. 

Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be considered well-qualified for the position and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement 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

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

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