Summary
Are you seeking a better work-life balance? Join an exceptional organization that prioritizes Veterans for an outstanding career! With over 78 years of serving our nation's Veterans, the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is currently seeking a dynamic HR Specialist for our St. Louis, MO Medical Center Canteen. Join our fast-paced environment if you have a passion for our Veterans and their families, along with prior multi-unit experience.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Recent graduates
Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.
Duties
DUTIES:
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Employee Lifecycle Administration: Support key phases of the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, job changes, and separations, ensuring processes are completed accurately, timely, and in accordance with organizational standards.
- Employee Support & HR Guidance: Serve as a primary point of contact for employees and supervisors, providing guidance on HR processes, policies, required documentation, and next steps related to employment actions.
- HR Compliance & Policy Application: Ensure HR activities in Central Office and the field comply with applicable federal employment laws, regulations, organizational policies, and recordkeeping requirements; apply policies consistently and escalate issues as appropriate.
- Employee Relations Expertise: Serve as the subject matter expert for complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary actions, grievances, conflict resolution, and performance management.
- Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) & Personnel Records Management: Accurately enter, update, audit, and maintain employee data in the HRIS and official personnel records to support reporting, compliance, and workforce management.
- Cross-Functional HR Coordination: Collaborate with HR partners throughout the VA network, hiring officials, payroll, IT, labor relations, and training teams to support HR processes and ensure employment actions are completed correctly and on schedule.
- Additional Responsibilities & Flexibility: Perform and adapt to additional responsibilities as needed.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
As a Condition of Employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year trial 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 the organizational goals of the agency or the Government
- Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Additional Conditions of Employment include:
-Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
-Subject to background/security investigation.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Relevant Human Resources Experience: Three (3) years of human resources experience with an emphasis on onboarding, recruiting, and/or employee relations OR equivalent leadership experience in a food or retail environment.
- Employment Law & Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of employment laws and regulations, including employment eligibility verification (I-9), E-Verify, and wage and hour compliance.
- Confidentiality & Information Integrity: Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, confidential, and/or security-related information with discretion and integrity.
- HR Systems & Technology Proficiency: Proficiency with HRIS platforms, applicant tracking systems, and standard business software (e.g., Microsoft Office or similar tools).
- Organizational Effectiveness & Attention to Detail: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple onboarding processes simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
- Professional Communication & Service Orientation: Effective written and verbal communication skills and a customer-focused approach when working with employees and stakeholders.
Additional 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.
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.
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.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. 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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package that includes:
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal Employees), etc.
- Most recent SF-50
- Performance Appraisal
- Separation Notice (RIF)
Veterans' Preference: Since the Veterans Canteen Service falls under 38 U.S.C. 7802, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified Veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 3/9/2026 to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account, or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.