Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration: Open to current permanent VISN 20 Northwest Human Resources Network department employees only.

The Assistant Human Resources Officer (SBU) will serve as a key member in various VISN committees and activities working directly with leadership to develop an HR strategy that closely supports and facilitates meeting local organizational goals. This position directly advises, communicates, and supports the execution of Human Capital Management (HCM) programs, products, and services into the organization. This position will be embedded in the local governance structure further supporting leadership and organizational goals, which includes, but is not limited to: Resource Management Committee; Succession Planning; Emergency Management; Diversity and Inclusion; Activations Planning; Quality Management; Joint Commission Planning; Workforce Planning; and any others as applicable.

The incumbent actively participates in recruitment campaigns; job fairs; college relations programs; general networking; etc. to ensure robust candidate pipeline. Sets a strategic direction and coordinates the delivery of HCM services in the areas of talent sustainment, talent development, and performance enhancement to specific needs. Understands and identifies talent issues before they impact the business. Identifies emerging concerns and risks as they apply to organization, people and culture.

The incumbent will lead and manage the HR Employee Relations section of the HR Strategic Business unit. Addresses and resolves difficult and complex problems that have a direct impact on the Department mission. Works with leadership, staff and operational officials, employee groups, etc., to develop and explore labor relations alternatives to improve policies, techniques, and procedures. Advises leadership in the resolution of administrative grievances, post separation reviews, Congressional, Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of Special Counsel (OSC), Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO), Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) or department level complaints. This announcement is not intended to cover all duties assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00-4:30
Compressed/Flexible: Available for Highly Qualified Candidates.
Virtual: Not applicable
Position Description/PD#: Assistant Human Resources Officer- Temporary Promotion NTE 1 year/PD99991S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 dentification 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 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/26/2026.

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 by the closing date of this announcement. 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.

For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12
For a GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13


The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above.


To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria:
Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. 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. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Advising leadership and providing responses to proposed legislation policies and standards of higher authority regarding human resources issues developing and coordinating HR strategies policies and initiatives guides managers in realizing each ECM tools and products to develop strategic solutions to challenges and issues; develop and deliver briefings reports and correspondence to facility program managers.
~OR~
Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. 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. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Providing formal guidance, assistance and interpretation on special assignments related to all HR program areas, Using extensive knowledge and experience with Federal and VA HR regulatory and legal requirements to audit all HR program areas, Analyzing personnel procedures, guidelines, regulations and policy reference materials and developing recommendations and solutions based on research and providing guidance and training to peers, Composing quantitative and narrative reports from audit findings, Identifying technical discrepancies in all HR program areas to identify the need for training, interventions and strategies that improve the accuracy with processing personnel actions, performance and ability to meet HR business requirements, and Reviewing data reports to assist in determining goals and recommendations to improve the technical function of HR staff.

To qualify for this position at the GS-14 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria:
Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. 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. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Providing formal guidance, assistance and interpretation on special assignments related to all HR program areas, Using extensive knowledge and experience with Federal and VA HR regulatory and legal requirements to audit all HR program areas, Analyzing personnel procedures, guidelines, regulations and policy reference materials and developing recommendations and solutions based on research and providing guidance and training to peers, Composing quantitative and narrative reports from audit findings, Identifying technical discrepancies in all HR program areas to identify the need for training, interventions and strategies that improve the accuracy with processing personnel actions, performance and ability to meet HR business requirements, and Reviewing data reports to assist in determining goals and recommendations to improve the technical function of HR staff. (Transcripts Required). ~OR~
Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. 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. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Experience in a leadership role in Human Resources within VHA with duties requiring mastery of the concepts, principles, practices, laws and regulations which apply to Human Resources in VHA and for substantive regional or national programs and services including expert knowledge of the full spectrum of applicable HR functions (e.g., recruitment and placement, position classification, compensation, HR information systems, manpower, etc.), Experience and skills in developing interventions for management on significant HR issues and concerns, Ability to lead in employing change management process concepts and techniques such as strategic planning and workforce development, Skills and ability on leading special projects or studies of considerable scope and depth critical to the resolution of operating issues and problems, Ability to tailor HR programs and services to support the organization, while improving the efficiencies and effectiveness of various process, Skills in developing and delivering briefings, project papers, status/staff reports and correspondence in order to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations, and Ability to apply consensus building, negotiating, coalition building and conflict resolution techniques.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Creative Thinking
• Customer Service
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Organizational Stewardship
• Systems Thinking

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.

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.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Next steps