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HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE RELATIONS/PLACEMENT)

Department of the Air Force
U.S. Air Force Academy
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position as a GS-11 is: To serve as a senior Human Resources Specialist in a developmental capacity.

The primary purpose of this position as a GS-12 is: To serve as a senior Human Resources Specialist planning, developing, and carrying out the full range of employee relations and management advisory services.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/21/2025 to 11/28/2025
Salary
$75,890 to - $118,254 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Air Force Academy, CO
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
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
6W-AFPC-12839873-999087-AH
Control number
850744900

Duties

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GS-11 Duties:

  • Serves as a senior specialist in a developmental capacity providing employee relations assistance of a complex nature to managers at an AF installation
  • Provides consultation and assistance on complex and often controversial conduct-related issues
  • Developmentally serves as the Human Resources focal point for one or more employee relations programs
  • Prepares written correspondence and other documentation
  • Serves as the primary point of contact at the installation for a developmental range of staffing, placement, and position management responsibilities
  • Provides position management advisory services to an AF installation

GS-12 Duties:
  • Serves as a senior specialist providing employee relations assistance of a complex nature to managers at an AF installation
  • Provides consultation and assistance on complex and often controversial conduct-related issues
  • Independently serves as the Human Resources focal point for one or more employee relations programs
  • Prepares written correspondence and other documentation
  • Serves as the primary point of contact at the installation for a range of staffing, placement, and position management responsibilities
  • Provides position management advisory services to an AF installation





Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station
  • May be required to travel by military and/or commercial aircraft
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance/background investigation
  • This position has a limited area of consideration to current Air Force Internal employees

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Human Resources Management, Series 0201.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AS A GS-11: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include: Knowledge of a wide range of Human Resources Management concepts, laws, policies, practices, analytical, and diagnostic methods and techniques to identify, evaluate, and recommend to management appropriate Human Resources interventions to resolve a wide range of complex, interrelated Human Resources Management problems and issues. Knowledge of a wide range of in-depth employee relations concepts, principles, practices, and legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to provide a broad expertise in advising senior management and supervisors on appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques for a range of conduct and performance problems and explain rules, procedures, rights, and obligations to employees a myriad of complex and frequently contentious issues.

OR
EDUCATION:
Applicants have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, major areas of study such as Human Resources, Organizational Management, Organizational Development, Program Management, or related field of study. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Applicants have less than the full amount of specialized experience required but have more than 2 years of graduate level education with a major or subject area related to the position to be filled. Therefore, applicants have a combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AS A GS-12 Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include: In-depth knowledge of a wide range of employee relations concepts, case law, principles, practices, and regulatory requirements sufficient to perform detailed analyses; draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations; and advise senior managers regarding corrective techniques in response to a wide range of conduct and performance problems. Knowledge and understanding of complex Federal Human Resources management functions, theories, and techniques; and the basic relationships of the various Human Resources disciplines.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. In-depth knowledge of a wide range of employee relations concepts, case law, principles, practices, and regulatory requirements sufficient to perform detailed analyses; draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations; and advise senior managers regarding corrective techniques in response to a wide range of conduct and performance problems.

2. Knowledge and understanding of complex Federal Human Resources management functions, theories, and techniques; and the basic relationships of the various Human Resources disciplines.

3. Knowledge of a wide range of commonly used and standard recruitment and placement principles and practices and of the occupational design of positions within assigned organizations to analyze position requirements and to decide upon and apply a standardized recruitment strategy.

4. Knowledge of fundamental Federal Human Resources classification and position management principles, policies, practices, methods, and analytical techniques.

5. Skill in conflict resolution techniques sufficient to interact in highly charged, emotional situations which arise due to delicate or highly contested case matters and determinations.

6. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing and establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel to include explaining rules and procedures to employees and advising on their rights and obligations and encouraging objectivity in situations that may be charged with emotions and assumptions.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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 application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING:
Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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