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Human Resources Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Workforce Management & Consulting (WMC), Human Resources Operations Office (HROO)

Summary

This position is established in VHA Workforce Management and Consulting's HR Operations Office (HROO). HROO is the exclusive operational HR service provider for VHA's Central Office (VHACO). This position uniquely specializes in the retirement services discipline and is located within HROO's Retired Shared Services Office (RSSO). This position performs uniquely specialized retirement services duties and responsibilities.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
11 vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$50,460 - $116,362 per year

Salary listed is RUS salary. Salary will be determined upon selection and dependent upon duty location, grade, step and locality pay of selectee.

Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 12
Promotion potential
12
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBZY-13031910-26-WRW
Control number
880360100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) eligible applicants. This does not include temporary, term, or temporary intermittent.

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Duties

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This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12. At the lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied.

  • Provides direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies.
  • Advises on Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP) as they relate to retirement.
  • Provides complex retirement coverage determinations for all returning federal employees throughout the VHA.
  • Provide death-in-service counseling to beneficiaries and stakeholders.
  • Assists current and recently separated employees retiring with completion of the disability retirement application forms and reviews them to ensure completeness.
  • Prepare civilian deposit reports and assist customers with the preparation of the application and submission to the Office of Personnel Management for processing.
  • Reviews and/or drafts standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other written documents based on subject matter expertise, knowledge of existing internal procedures, and awareness of current regulatory requirements.
  • Reviews new or amended HR retirement policies, procedures, and guidelines and provides feedback regarding possible impact on current practices.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework.
Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position.
Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space.
Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer.
Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist/PD77848-A, PD77849-A, PD77850-A, and PD77851-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level. For a GS-09 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. For a GS-11 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. For a GS-12 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Physical Requirements: The work of the position is sedentary. No special physical demands are required.
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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.

Applicant Count: This job announcement will remain open until 8/19/2026. Applications received up to 11:59pm EST on the date in which 100 applications is reached will received first consideration (initial cutoff). Applications received after 11:59pm EST on the date in which 100 applications are received may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. Additional applications will be reviewed in one-day increments at management request.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/19/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-7:

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate level education, or have Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree.
GS-9:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or JD, if related. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree.
GS-11:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes(1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records; and (4) Providing death-in-service counseling to beneficiaries and stakeholders. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR, have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR, I have a LL.M., if related. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree.
GS-12:

For the GS-12 grade levels, candidates must possess either Criteria 1 - graduate degree and specialized experience or Criteria 2 - specialized experience to qualify for the specific grade level. At this grade level, candidates must fully meet or exceed either Criteria 1 or Criteria 2 meaning it is not appropriate to combine Criteria 1 and Criteria 2 to qualify candidates. At this grade level, applicants cannot qualify on the basis of education alone.
  • Criteria 1 - Graduate Education and Specialized Experience: You must have a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level, which includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records. OR,
  • Criteria 2 - Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, which includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records; (4) Providing death-in-service counseling to beneficiaries and stakeholders; and (5) Assisting current and recently separated employees retiring with completion of the disability retirement application forms.
Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F1; Human Resources Specialist Qualification Standards GS-0201. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

*Superior Academic Achievement: (SAA) recognizes students who have achieved superior academic standing as evidenced by one of the three methods described below. In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following:

1. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision.
2. A grade-point average of at least "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
3. A grade point average of at least "B+" (a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0) average of required courses completed in the major field of study or required courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
4. Membership in a national honor society. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used. Honor societies recognized by Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit https://www.achshonor.org/.
For more information regarding SAA please visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=General-Policies.

Successfully completed courses and programs (bachelor's level or higher) in HR, 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/or humanities are qualifying programs.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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 RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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.

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 for this position:

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


Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Agency contact information

VHA National Recruitment Center
Phone
(844)456-5208
Email
VHANationalRecruitmentCenter@va.gov
Address
VHA Central Office - Human Capital Management
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
US

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https://vacareers.va.gov/

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