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Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Benefits Administration
Human Resources Center - Denver, Colorado

Summary

This position is established in the Department Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Human Capital Services (HCS), Office of Staff Operations (OSO) Division, at the Human Resources Center (HRC) located in Denver, Colorado.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—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.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$56,262 - $89,470 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Promotion potential
12
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
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
101-26-TE-13035489-NBU
Control number
881062200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open ONLY to current, permanent employees of the Denver, CO Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Human Resources Center or current/former VA employees who are CTAP eligible.

Duties

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The position is responsible for conducting service assignments by rendering recruitment and staffing services for the purpose of filling General Schedule Title 5 and Wage Grade positions throughout VBA which services all human resource needs within its purview.

  • Provides overall advice and assistance to management and employees in major human resource management functional areas.
  • Advises managers of regulatory considerations, available alternatives, possible effects of various alternative decisions, and recommends actions/solutions.
  • Provides technical assessments and advice as requested by managers in exercising their position classification responsibilities.
  • Analyzes, evaluates, and reviews positions against Office of Personnel Management position classification standards and agency classification guidance.
  • Ensures that pay entitlements and work schedules are set in accordance with laws and regulations.
  • Helps SMEs with developing crediting plans.
  • Interprets and applies regulations pertinent to recruitment and placement.
  • Makes qualification determinations in accordance with OPM's standards and prepares referral certificates.
  • Provides information and/or assistance to employees/applicants regarding questions on qualification requirements
  • Prepares written responses to congressional inquiries for signature by higher authority, as necessary.
  • Directs a Human Resources Assistant who assists in the accomplishment of work for the assigned Regional Office.

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. The grade progression for this position is GS-7/9/11/12.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: Yes - 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.
Virtual: Current HRC Denver staff with an out-based duty location will continue to report to their current approved duty location upon selection.
Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement); PD38753A and PD38469A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:08/21/2026.

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5 level.
  • For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7 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.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for the HR Specialist position, candidates must meet the following basic requirements as described in one of the following methods:
  • Method 1: One year of HR specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level of the Federal Government or higher. OR
  • Method 2: Successful completion of bachelor's degree (or higher). OR
  • Method 3: A combination of six months of general administrative, professional, or technical work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 level of the Federal Government AND one (1) of the below four training areas:
    • Successful completion of at least 12 credit hours of college-level course work related to business, HR, psychology, organizational development, or other related coursework. OR
    • Successful completion of at least four formal training courses in HR. OR
    • Successful completion of a formal certificate program related to HR, psychology, organizational development, or other relatable subject area. OR
    • Current professional HR certification through a nationally recognized entity such as the Society of HR Management (SHRM).
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to the above basic requirement applicants must meet the below specialized experience requirements.

GS-7 Grade Level:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of Specialized Experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Specialized Experience is defined as researching, analyzing, and applying policies, regulations, and standard procedures to provide internal and external customer support. Experience must include use of automated recordkeeping systems to research and resolve issues or provide management support.
  • Education Substitution: To qualify at the GS-7 level based on education you must have: One full year of graduate-level education. Graduate-level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position; OR A Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (3.0 GPA or higher). Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) is based on 1) class standing, 2) grade point average or 3) honor society membership. For more information on calculating SAA please visit www.opm.gov.
GS-9 Grade Level:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of Specialized Experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as interpreting and applying a variety of routine Federal or state personnel management rules, regulations, and procedures. Experience must include use of automated personnel recording keeping systems to research and resolve personnel issues or provide management support.
  • Education Substitution: Possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LLB. or J.D, if related; OR possess a combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Only graduate level education beyond the first year may be used to qualify at the GS-9 level. To compute your combined percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify for this grade.

Education

Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.
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 is mainly sedentary, except for walking to local meetings and carrying briefcases and luggage when in travel status.

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/.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.

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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

The 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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. 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/.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

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.
https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

You will be assessed on the following general competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

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


Additionally, you will be assessed on the following technical competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • ANALYTICAL REASONING: Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop alternative courses of actions and recommend workable solutions.
  • CLASSIFICATION: Ability to apply classification concepts, principles and practices related to structuring organizations and positions and determining the appropriate pay system, occupational grouping, title and pay level of positions.
  • STAFFING AND RECRUITMENT: Ability to determine effective recruitment strategies; develop crediting plans necessary for recruitment and placement of well-qualified candidates; analyze candidates for eligibility and qualifications for position vacancies and issue selecting officials lists of qualified candidates.
  • COMPLIANCE: Attention to detail and ability to properly apply laws and regulations in pay setting determinations and the processing of personnel actions.
  • TECHNICAL COMPETENCE: Demonstration of knowledge and ability to apply HR concepts, practices, laws, regulations, policies, and practices sufficient to provide advisory services and/or perform HR related technical services.
  • COMMUNICATION: Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview.

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.

The USA Hire Assessments 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.

Veterans Benefits 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." How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Agency contact information

Tracy Ellis
Phone
303-914-2943
Email
tracy.ellis51@va.gov
Address
VBA Human Resources Center - Central Office
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Veterans Benefits Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.va.gov/jobs

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