Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current, permanent (career/career conditional) employees of HRC-Baltimore and CTAP eligibles only.

Specific duties include:

• Resolves questions or issues received from HRC staff and customers regarding the interpretation of human resource laws, regulations and policies and their application to specific situations
• Serves as the subject matter expert and final decision-maker for most employee and customer questions, concerns, or disagreements
• Evaluates programs and procedures and recommends and implements approved programs and processes
• Conducts technical reviews of work produced by the HRC staff, identifies strengths and shortcomings, and develops plans for individual training as well as ongoing in-service training
• Accomplishes special projects for Human Capital Services (HCS) and serves as representative for projects, committees, and/or task forces
• Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees
• Hears and resolves complaints from employees and effects disciplinary measures
• Provides interpretations, advice, and guidance concerning Federal personnel laws, executive orders, directives, and decisions of the Office of Personnel Management
• Develops standard operating procedures and other forms of guidance to clarify, streamline, and standardize processes

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6:30am-6:00pm
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position.

Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Human Resources Specialist (R&P);PD38470A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selectees are required to service a one-year supervisory probationary period if not previously completed in a Federal position.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:07/14/2026.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: To qualify for the HR Specialist position, candidates must meet the following basic requirements as described in 1 of the following methods: a. Merit-Based Method, b. Education-Based Method or c. Training-Based Method: Method 1: Merit-Based Method. The Merit-Based Method allows for a candidate to meet the basic requirement by possession of 1 year of specialized experience requiring knowledge of and/or skill in applying basic HR concepts, laws, principles, policies, methods, practices and/or HR systems. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. This experience must be equivalent to at least the GS-4 level of the Federal Government. OR Method 2: Education-Based Method. The Education-Based Method allows for a candidate to meet the basic requirement by possession of the following: Successful completion of bachelor's degree (or higher). OR Method 3: Training-Based Method. The Training-Based Method allows for a candidate to meet the basic requirement by possession of the following: 6-months of general experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 level of the Federal Government, requiring knowledge of and/or skill in applying laws, regulations, rules, principles, policies, methods, practices, supporting customers, communicating in writing and/or verbally & using various computer systems & office equipment in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions, plus the possession of 1 of the four training criteria.

• Training 1: Successful completion of at least 12 credit hours of college-level (associate degree or higher level) course work in any of the following types of fields, majors or programs or those closely related as evidenced by the course or programs: HR (general), HR development, HR management, business, business management/administration, industrial relations, labor relations, industrial psychology, organizational psychology, organizational development, management, organizational behavior, pre-law/law, legal studies, health care management/administration, public administration, public policy, human services, leadership and humanities.
• Training 2: Successful completion of at least 4 formal training courses in HR. The focus of these HR courses will be in areas or those closely related to general HR, Federal HR, private sector/corporate HR or HR management. These courses must be offered through VA (i.e., Talent Management System courses), Federal agencies/departments (i.e., OPM Federal Human Resources Institute) or through external organizations (i.e., HR Certification Institute (HRCI®) Learning, HR University or Management Concepts). For the purpose of this standard, formal means interactive (online or in-person) training that includes communication between the participants and/or the instructor. Successful completion is evidenced by documentation of successful completion by the training organization.
• Training 3: Successful completion of a formal certificate program in any of the areas (or related areas) listed in Training 1 (above) or those closely related as evidenced by the course or programs. A formal certificate program for the purposes of this standard means a series or set of courses that provide a foundational or advanced knowledge. The courses must have been provided by an accredited college, university, organization or company & must have required assignments and/or other course work. Examples of providers include, but are not limited to, Purdue University, Global Cornell University (i.e., eCornell) or Wharton School. Successful completion is evidenced by documentation of completion by the training organization.
• Training 4: Current professional HR certification through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), HRCI®, International Public Management Association (IPMA) (or Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA)), American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) or an organization or company that has a formal structure & is nationally recognized by the profession.

GS-0201 levels 12-15 Requirement: To qualify for a Human Resources (HR) Specialist GS-0201 at the GS-12-15 grade levels, candidates cannot qualify based on education only, they must possess either:

• Criteria 1: Graduate level degree or higher and 3 years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level OR
• Criteria 2: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-13

AND

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

• For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
GS-13 Grade Level:

• Specialized Experience: Providing consultation services to internal and external customers and management to include senior managers of an organization related to staffing/placement, recruiting, and retention. Research, interpret, analyze and apply federal HR regulations, laws and policies for recruiting, examining, selecting and placing employees; and advising management in identifying, attracting and retaining quality and diverse workforce. Manage personnel action processing, pay setting guidance and employee benefits and compensation flexibilities. Developing solutions to unique or unusually complex problems regarding human resources management operations.

Volunteer Experience: 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; religions; 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.
Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.
Physical Requirements: The work normally involves mental rather than physical exertion, often working under strict deadlines or under stressful situations.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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):

• Conflict Management
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Manages Resources
• Partnering
• Planning and Evaluating

• Conflict Management - Manages and resolves conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact.
• Influencing/Negotiating - Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior or opinion. Resolves points of difference by finding mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and agreement.
• Manages Resources - Selects, acquires, stores, and distributes resources such as materials, equipment, or money.
• Partnering - Develops networks and builds alliances. Collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
• Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
• Knowledge of federal laws, regulations, principles, theories, policies and procedures of internal and external recruitment and placement, classification and position management, pay administration, and employee/labor relations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead HR services in a variety of customer activities and to integrate work efforts and negotiate acceptable solutions with those whose organizational goals and objectives may differ.
• Ability to manage and/or supervise (plan, organize, direct, control, review, etc.) the work activities of subordinates.
• Ability to communicate verbally and interact with individuals and groups with a wide range of educational and socio-economic backgrounds and divergent opinions and priorities.
• Ability to communicate in writing for a variety of purposes.

Supervisory Situational Judgement Test: Applicants will be required to complete a Supervisory Situational Judgment Test (SSJT) as part of the assessment process for this position. The SSJT evaluates judgment, decision-making, and leadership competencies associated with effective supervision in a Federal work environment. This is not a timed test, however, the assessment is expected to take approximately 45 minutes or less to complete. This assessment is required for all applicants. If you do not complete the assessment, it will result in an incomplete application and you will receive no further consideration.

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.