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Lead Human Resources Specialist

Department of Defense
Missile Defense Agency
Human Resources

Summary

The position(s) covered by this vacancy announcement is in the Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). For more information please see: ACQDEMO

This position is part of the Department of Defense (DoD), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for serving as a subject matter expert in human capital strategy and communication with responsibility for program management.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/21/2026 to 05/26/2026
Salary
$130,987 - $197,200 per year

includes 21.91% locality unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail

Pay scale & grade
NH 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Redstone Arsenal, AL
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
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MDA-26-12967970-MP
Control number
870233000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current MDA Employees & Non-Competitive (Reassignment, CLG, Re-Promotion) & Veterans Employment Opportunities Act & Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) & Priority Placement Program: DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP); DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP); DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible; DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement & Appointment of Department of Defense Spouses

Duties

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As a Lead Human Resources Specialist at the NH-0201-4 broadband level some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Serving as a subject matter expert in human capital strategy and communication with responsibility for program management.
  • Reviewing MDA strategy and developing MDA human capital strategy procedures and guidelines.
  • Leading the design, development, and implementation of agency-wide human capital initiatives, such as leadership development programs, employee engagement surveys, performance management system enhancements, and succession planning programs.
  • Authorizing and directing the development and implementation of the agency's human capital strategy plan and aligning HR programs with the overall organizational goals and mission.
  • Analyzing and evaluating workforce trends and data to identify opportunities for improvement in areas such as recruitment, retention, training, and performance management, and developing strategic recommendations based on this analysis to ensure alignment with agency goals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a US citizen
  • Male born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
  • Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • This is a Drug Testing designated position
  • Work Schedule: Fulltime
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
  • Recruitment Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is situationally telework eligible
  • Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information
  • Must obtain/maintain Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH-04 broadband level if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03/GS-13 grade level in the Federal service and must meet 3 of the 5 specialized experiences listed below to be qualified:

  • Leading the organization human capital program.
  • Utilizing non-adversarial problem-solving approaches, including mediation and interest-based bargaining, to resolve complex issues and support management decision-making.
  • Directing organization-wide HR communication utilizing HR theory, precedents, and federal regulations to provide authoritative guidance to management, and engineer solutions for highly complex, novel issues.
  • Isolating human capital challenges using data analytics and trend evaluation to recommend strategic, data-driven opportunities.
  • Implementing change management strategies to facilitate organizational initiatives and achieve measurable transition objectives.

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.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies 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 ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/who-needs-to-register/#p5 )

To receive consideration please make sure you select ALL appropriate eligibilities in the application questionnaire.

Re-employed Annuitant: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.
You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.

Appointment of Department of Defense Spouses: Are you the spouse of a current Department of Defense, Department of State, or intelligence community employee who is being transferred in the interest of the Government from one official station within the Department to another within the Department for permanent duty? Supporting Documentation: You are required to submit proof of marriage AND permanent change of station (PCS) orders: spouse's PCS orders (showing you as a dependent) and/or copy of marriage certificate. If you are a current or previous Federal employee, please include your most recent SF-50.

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 application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required of this position. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Your qualifications will be evaluated 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


If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Assessment. This additional online assessment is required and must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

Missile Defense Agency

Do you enjoy challenges and seek opportunities? Are identifying problems, analyzing facts, and making recommendations some of your strong suits? Would you like to obtain the rare opportunity to participate in some of the greatest technological achievements developed? Would you like to serve your country and defend freedom in one of the most critical efforts in history?

If you answered yes, then this job is for you! The Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) mission is to develop, test, and field an integrated, layered, ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends against all ranges of enemy ballistic missiles in all phases of flight.

We are seeking a prepared, talented, and motivated Lead Human Resources Specialist who seek challenges and opportunities. You will earn a competitive salary and enjoy outstanding benefits while working alongside some of the brightest, most motivated thinkers of our time.

Agency contact information

MDA Servicing Team
Phone
614-693-1299
Fax
6146931696
Email
DHRC-DMDAHR@DLA.MIL
Address
Missile Defense Agency
Bldg 5222 Martin Rd
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Missile Defense Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.mda.mil/

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