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Human Resources Specialist - HR STAR Program

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Pathways Recent Graduates Program allows recent graduates to enter VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. For further information, visit: Recent Graduate Requirements

The applicant who apply the day the first 300 applicants are processed by USASTAFFING will be reviewed and referred to the selecting official. Any additional candidates that apply after the first cut off will be reviewed as necessary as vacancies arise.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
02/01/2023 to 02/02/2023
Salary
$46,696 to - $60,703 per year

Salary incudes locality pay and will be adjusted according to selectee's geographical location

Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
85 vacancies in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CARZ-11818623-23-PH
Control number
702750000

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Duties

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RECENT GRADUATE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or national, or be lawfully permitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed
  • A recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution such as an accredited 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school.) (Note: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that's part of an accredited college-level, or business school curriculum.
  • Veterans (as defined in 5 USC 2108) who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty; however, this eligibility period cannot extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of the requirements of an academic course of study.
  • TRANSCRIPTS SHOWING DEGREE CONFERRED ARE REQUIRED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-12. At the GS-7 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.



This position is located in the Human Resources (HR) Management Office. The incumbent serves as a participant in the HR Specialist Training and Accelerated Readiness (HR STAR) Program under the direction of a qualified preceptor. The HR STAR program is a one-year training program. Get started on a path to a VA career by applying to one of the two career tracks:

Recruitment, Placement and Compensation
Employee Relations and Labor Relations

Specific duties include:
  • Classification-drafting positions evaluation for review by supervisor or higher-graded HR Specialist.
  • Pay-advising-assists with providing management with compensation flexibilities to help recruit, manage, and retain employees.
  • Staffing-participate in recruiting, examining, selecting and placing employees.
  • Benefits-providing guidance and consultation, regarding simple retirement, insurance, health benefits and injury compensation issues.
  • Employee Development-participates in planning, administering, or evaluating programs designed to develop employees and manage learning in the organization.
  • Performance Management-assisting managers and supervisors in establishing, maintaining and monitoring effective performance management programs to plan, monitor, develop, rate, and reward employee performance.
  • Employee Relations- provides basic advice and assistance to employees and managers in simple matters related to conduct, performance, attendance and dispute resolution.
  • Labor Relations- participates in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with labor organizations that represent Federal employee; perform fact-finding and research applicable laws and policies as part of preparation for negotiations and labor agreements.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm EST
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Virtual: This is a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • 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
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

NOTE: Applicants must meet the qualifications by 2/26/23.

Basic Requirements for all HR positions:

Experience: One (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

Education: Successful completion of bachelor's degree (or higher).

OR

Training Provision: Six 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 and using various computer systems and office equipment in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions, plus the possession of one of the four training criteria:

Training Option 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.

or

Training Option 2: Successful completion of at least four 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

or

Training Option 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 and 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

or

Training Option 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 and is nationally recognized by the profession

Additionally, you must also meet the GS-7 grade qualifications:

GS-7 Qualifications:

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): A bachelor's degree one of the following degree fields: Human Resources, Human Resources development, Human Resources 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 (Unofficial Transcripts Required), and I have superior academic achievement S.A.A. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing--Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. (2.) Grade-point average (G.P.A.)--Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round down to 2.9. (3.) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society--Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below. These honor societies are listed in the Association of College Honor Societies: Booklet of Information (1992-95) and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (1991). Agencies considering eligibility based on any society not included in the following list must ensure that the honor society meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. (Unofficial Transcripts Required)

OR

Education: One (1) full year of graduate level education in Human Resources, Human Resources development, Human Resources 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. (Unofficial Transcripts Required)

OR

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in federal service that has equipped me with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience requires 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.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of the type of graduate education described above in (B) and the type of experience described above in (C) to meet total experience of 100% to qualify for the grade level of GS-7. (Unofficial Transcripts Required)



IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Education


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



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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Physical Requirements: No special physical exertion is required. The work is primarily performed while sitting though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. Occasional travel may be required


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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (844) 456-5208.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) 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/.

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


To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a VA job announcement includes language requiring applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply to this Job Announcement. VA may request information regarding your vaccination status, if selected, for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.


If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Rule of Three procedures.

Application of Veterans' Preference: When using the numerical ranking process (sometimes called the 'Rule of Three' method) certain preference eligibles who are qualified for a position and achieved a passing score have 5 or 10 extra points added to their numerical ratings, depending on which category of preference they meet. This means the highest possible rating is 110 (a disabled veteran who earns a score of 100 has 10 extra points added).

Names of eligible applicants are placed on lists, or registers of eligibles, in the order of their ratings .Inventories are established from which selections will be made over a period of time and for case examining in which a register is used to fill a single position or a group of positions and is closed after the needed selection(s) is made.

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

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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