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HR Specialist (Compensation)

Office of Personnel Management
Federal Talent Management Center (FTMC), Employee Services and Records Management (ESRM)

Summary

Join the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Shared Service Center! We're looking for talented professionals to help deliver solutions that support federal agencies nationwide. As an HR Specialist (Compensation) at the GS-0201-13, you will be part of OPM's Federal Talent Management Center. If selected, you will be responsible for serving as a senior compensation and payroll advisor, overseeing pay and leave policy, payroll operations, and customer projects for serviced Federal agencies.

Overview

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Open & closing dates
05/01/2026 to 05/14/2026
Salary
$63,795 - $99,404 per year

The salary range above is basic pay. Locality rate will be added based on location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Macon, GA
Kansas City, MO
Durham, NC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-TAL-12949069-DHA
Control number
867497800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applicants who submit their application within the first two days of the announcement opening will receive priority referral to the hiring manager.

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Duties

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  • Serves as the senior Human Resources Specialist for compensation, payroll, and time and attendance operations for assigned customer agencies.
  • Manages customer projects related to compensation and payroll services, including developing project plans, coordinating deliverables, tracking actions, and ensuring timely resolution of issues.
  • Provides authoritative guidance to employees and management on pay and leave laws, regulations, policies, including advanced pay setting, special pay matters, leave entitlements, incentives, retirement contributions, and associated benefits impacts.
  • Investigates and resolves complex payroll issues such as overpayments, underpayments, improper deductions, debt and garnishment actions, and time and attendance discrepancies.
  • Leverages automated payroll, time and attendance, and inquiry systems (e.g., EPP, MyPay, GovTA, QuickTime) to analyze data, monitor, and research and resolve complex issues, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
  • Leads audits, debt processing, payroll estimates, and data calls by providing accurate information and ensuring the integrity and reliability of payroll records.
  • Collaborates with agency officials, HR specialists, payroll technicians, timekeepers, quality assurance staff, counsel, and other stakeholders to resolve complex pay issues, strengthen internal controls, and improve service delivery.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
  • You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
  • This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit

Qualifications

For the GS13: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent, performing all of the following:

  • Providing authoritative guidance on Federal pay, leave, payroll, and time and attendance, leveraging automated systems (e.g., EPP, MyPay, GovTA, QuickTime) to research, interpret, and apply applicable laws, regulations, and policies;
  • Managing or coordinating compensation, payroll, time and attendance or leave administration for organizations, including tracking deliverables, resolving complex issues, analyzing performance, and recommending process improvements;
  • Independently analyzing complex pay, leave, payroll, or compensation records to identify discrepancies, validate determinations, resolve overpayments or debts, address retroactive corrections, or support waiver or hardship determinations; and
  • Leading audits, reviews, or quality assurance activities involving pay setting, leave accounts, incentive payments, time and attendance records, or related HR transactions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effective internal controls.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Additional information

This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through OPM-authorized Direct Hire Authority due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/raking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/

.Relocation assistance and/or incentives may be offered at the discretion of the supervisor.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.

If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the 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, based on your adjudication decision. 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

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


The USA Hire 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.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position (obtain a score of 85 or higher on the assessments); and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Office of Personnel Management

At OPM, we are champions of talent for the Federal Government. We lead Federal agencies in workforce policies, programs, and benefits in service to the American people. We will create a new vision of work, together, positioning the Federal Government as a model employer for past and present employees through innovation and leadership. We will build a rewarding culture that empowers the workforce to solve some of our nation's toughest challenges.

The Federal Talent Management Center (FTMC) advances federal workforce excellence by delivering end-to-end talent solutions that uphold merit principles and align with Administration priorities. Rooted in a commitment to accountability and mission readiness, FTMC supports agencies through every stage of the talent lifecycle - from attracting and onboarding top candidates to developing, evaluating, and retaining a high - performing workforce. Its integrated programs - Assessment and Evaluation; Strategic Consulting; Classification, Strategy, and Operations; Staff Acquisition; Training and Development; and Employee Services and Records Management - provide agencies with the tools, expertise, and strategic guidance needed to build capable, resilient organizations that serve the American public effectively.

Agency contact information

OPM Human Resources
Phone
202-606-9321
Email
jobs@opm.gov
Address
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Office of Personnel Management, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.opm.gov/about-us/our-work/

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