HR SPECIALIST (MILITARY) Job in Helena, MT

Vacancy No. MT-12940857-AR-26-456 Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $61,722.00 to $80,243.00 Grade 9 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/27/2026 Close Date 5/12/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Helena, MT


Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for an HR Specialist (Military), Position Description Number D2009000, and is part of the Montana Army National Guard, G1. (A copy of the Position Description can be obtained from HRO upon request.)

Selecting Official: COL Janel Wiese

*This position is also advertised for an HR Assistant (Military) GS-0203-7 (with the developmental/target grade of GS-9) at announcement number MT-12940853-AR-26-430

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

National Guard and reserves

Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the following: Area I - Permanent (Tenure 1/2) T32 technicians of the MT Army National Guard (MTARNG), Area II - Indefinite (Tenure 3) MTARNG T32 technicians & MTARNG T5 permanent (Tenure 1/2) or Indefinite (Tenure 3) employees that are military members of the MTARNG, Area III - military members of the MTARNG or T5 temporary (Tenure 0) employees that are military members of the MTARNG.

Duties

Serves as an advisor to commanders on assigned unit human resources (HR) program. Interprets policy and provides procedural guidance to commanders, supervisors, staff members and individual military members. Provides training to supervisors and guidance and assistance to military members on program for which assigned. Participates in Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) and unit mobilizations and de-mobilizations. Reviews, evaluates, and interprets regulatory guidance, policies, and procedures applicable to military personnel programs and provides guidance to all users. Drafts and implements State policy based on the aforementioned policies. Publishes guidance to enhance and simplify completion and submission of personnel actions. Conducts command inspections, staff visits and trains personnel within the unit in all programs for which responsible. Conducts periodic briefings for staff, commanders, and administrative personnel to promote full understanding of all aspects of the assigned program. Provides commanders, supervisors, and MILPO staff with a variety of statistical data or reports pertaining to military HR issues in order to assist in HR management decisions. Responds to correspondence (general, other agency, congressional, etc.) regarding military personnel issues. Researches, prepares response, and maintains action file. As required, forwards responses for review and/or responses for the MILPO Director and/or State Adjutant General. Estimates and projects future travel and funding requirements and submits request to MILPO Director.

Responsible for and oversees the direction of the EPM/OPM or Incentives program and functions as the technical expert. Determines the methods and procedures for conducting military career guidance and counseling to ensure officer or enlisted personnel have an optimal and established career pattern. Provides direction, information, and/or counseling to MILPO staff and commanders of Major Army Command (MACOMM) through unit commanders, supervisors, as well as individual military members as required. Provides information and ensures regulatory compliance regarding area of responsibility which may include, but is not limited to: accessions, appointments, assignments, reassignments, transfers, promotions, Selected Reserve Incentive Program (SRIP), discharges, separations, retirements, Officer Evaluation Reports (OER) Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports (NCOER), awarding of Area of Concentration (AOC), Functional Areas (FA), Additional Skill Identifiers (ASI), Special Qualification Identifiers (SQI), Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) identifiers (primary or secondary), Stop Loss programs, and National Guard Bureau (NGB) waivers, casualty assistance, and requests for retention beyond mandatory removal date. Reviews and determines eligibility upon accepting military technicians (dual status) or AGR positions. Assists other organizations and agencies/units in development of battle roster and personnel assignment. Convenes or participates in various boards which may include: Promotion, DA Boards, awards, selective/qualitative retention, MOS Medical Review Board (MMRB), Incapacitation Review Boards, etc. Tracks Contingency Temporary Tour of Active Duty for Operational Support (COADOS). Initiates action for the issuance of all military orders relating to military personnel actions and distributes accordingly.

Responsible for and oversees the direction of SIDPERS and internal/external interfaces, and functions as the technical expert. Responsible for and ensures the timely and accurate processing of submitted military personnel actions. Manages a control log to maintain document control and an audit trail of all transactions received and dispersed in SIDPERS. Notifies units and higher echelons of rejected or incomplete transaction/documentation, necessary steps or processes required to resolve the problem, and maintains a database for tracking and suspension of submissions for identification of trends and problems. Identifies problem areas in the types of submissions (based on rejects/incomplete documentation), the locations where training is needed, and creates and provides training material.

Responsible for and oversees the direction of the Personnel Services Section and functions as the technical expert. Oversees the performance of document handling, records maintenance, and the Integrated Personnel Electronic Records Management System. Directs staff in performance of periodic record reviews and inventories to ensure total record accountability. Establishes access control lists to restrict unauthorized personnel from gaining access to personnel files other than their own or for those they are responsible for.

Accomplishes and oversees the technical support work in the program area assigned with the assistance of subordinate employees which may be Active Guard Reserve, full time Technician, or civilian.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. This is an excepted service position that requires membership in the employing state's National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
  • Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
  • Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
  • Appointments in the Title 32 MTNG technician program may terminate/suspend your military incentives; please see your MTNG Retention Office/Military Personnel Incentive Program Manager for details.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
  • External applicants must be able to start within 6 months of selection.
  • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
  • Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
  • Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
  • The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, and your organization.

Qualifications

Military Grades:
Enlisted E1 - E9;
Warrant WO1 - CW3



GENERAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Must have administrative or clerical experience, education, or training which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position; experience using computer and automation systems.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE -OR- EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Must have one of the following:

A) 1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade of GS-7. Experience that prepared the applicant to perform the duties of the position. Experience may include human resources program's business competencies, familiarity with the subject matter or processes used in human resources programs associated with DoD, U.S. Army, or U.S. Air Force, or similar human resources experience.
(MUST address your experiences in detail on your resume as they relate to these specialized experience requirements, if using experience to qualify for this position)

-OR-

B) Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. (Must submit applicable transcripts if using education to qualify for this position)





PLACEMENT STATUS/TENURE OF SELECTEE:

TEMPORARY PROMOTION/REASSIGNMENT/CHANGE TO LOWER GRADE - For Title 32 permanent selectees only: This is an obligated position. If a permanent employee of this agency and in the Title 32 Excepted civil service accepts this position, he/she will retain their permanent status AND have rights to return to their previous Title 32 position.

TEMPORARY PROMOTION/REASSIGNMENT/CHANGE TO LOWER GRADE - For Title 32 Indefinite selectees only: This is an obligated position. If an indefinite employee of this agency and in the Title 32 Excepted civil service accepts this position, he/she will retain their indefinite status AND may return to their previous Title 32 indefinite position if it is still available.

INDEFINITE APPOINTMENT - For Current Title 5 selectees only: This is an obligated position. If an on-board employee in the Title 5 excepted civil service accepts this position, he/she will convert to a T32 indefinite appointment (tenure 3). This employee will have no reemployment rights to their previous T5 position.

INDEFINITE APPOINTMENT - State National Guard Members (includes T32 NTE employees and MTNG members not currently a federal employee): This is an obligated position. Selectee will be appointed as an indefinite employee (tenure 3).

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Required Documents

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

1. Your resume showing:

  • Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
  • Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (AT LEAST MONTH/YEAR - MONTH/YEAR), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job. Federal jobs should include series and grade.
  • Education, certifications or licensures.
2. Transcripts: If using education to qualify, you must submit transcripts.

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

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12940857

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Vanessa Toquero
Email
vanessa.toquero.civ@army.mil
Address
MT J1
1956 Mt Majo Street
Fort Harrison, MT 59636-4789
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Army National Guard Units

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Since the earliest American colonial days, citizens have joined together for collective defense. We have a proud tradition of coming to the aid of our friends and neighbors in times of serious emergencies. Join our National Guard team and serve your nation, your states and your community!

Agency contact information

Vanessa Toquero
Email
vanessa.toquero.civ@army.mil
Address
MT J1
1956 Mt Majo Street
Fort Harrison, MT 59636-4789
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Army National Guard Units, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.nationalguard.mil