Clarification from the agency

The detail is open to current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs at the GS -14 grade level. Temporary promotions are not authorized.

HRA/OCHCO is seeking Senior HR Specialists responsible for designing, overseeing, and integrating major human capital initiatives with Department-wide impact. Incumbents will perform complex analytical, evaluative, and policy-driven work to strengthen enterprise compliance, improve program accuracy, and ensure consistent implementation across diverse operational environments. Duties may include leading sensitive HR program reviews, shaping transformation strategies, managing enterprise workflows, evaluating policy implications, advising senior leaders, preparing governance and decision-ready documents, and leveraging enterprise HR and project management systems. These positions are ideal for forward-thinking, highly skilled professionals who excel at navigating complex, cross-functional challenges in a dynamic, mission-focused environment.

Major Duties:

• Serves as the Executive Director's senior advisor, providing authoritative guidance on HR programs, policy interpretation, and VA-missioned operations across the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Delivers strategic analysis of regulations, workforce trends, and operational challenges, translating insights into actionable recommendations that support senior leadership decision-making and resource alignment.
• Leads development of long-range strategies, organizational priorities, and reengineering initiatives, while coordinating high-visibility projects, executive communications, and leadership briefings.
• Directs comprehensive program and operational oversight of multiple HR functions.
• Lead national-level projects and portfolio activities that evaluate systems, improve reporting processes, enhance organizational performance, and support strategic goals.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; or as negotiated.
Compressed/Flexible: Available at the supervisor's discretion
Telework: Yes, as determined by agency policy
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Travel: Up to 25% travel may be required (paid by funds transfer, but subject to availability
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, though some minimal physical effort may be required.

Upon selection, the detail will begin immediately.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• 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. 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/17/2026.

These positions provide experienced Senior HR Specialists the chance to lead vital department-wide human capital initiatives through advanced analytical skills, strategic insight, and high-level technical contributions. Selected candidates will oversee efforts across key areas of human capital, including strategic workforce planning, organizational performance, policy development, compliance, and change management, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals and compliance with standards. Successful applicants will use sophisticated evaluation methods, demonstrate project leadership, and apply informed judgment to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and mission alignment of HR programs throughout the Department.

Serve as an expert advisor responsible for conducting complex program analyses using advanced qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate organizational performance, identify systemic challenges, and develop data-driven recommendations that enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. The incumbent leads enterprise-level process improvement and restructuring initiatives by developing new procedures, redesigning workflows, and implementing long-range operational plans that improve effectiveness across multiple program offices. This position conducts high-level analytical studies and produces executive-quality written products, including policy implementation materials, strategic communications, reports, training documents, and decision briefs that senior leadership relies on. The specialist also advises leadership on program priorities, resource requirements, manpower needs, and strategic decision-making by conducting staffing assessments, analyzing resource utilization, coordinating with oversight entities, and ensuring all recommendations and actions align with broader agency objectives.

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, religious, 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.

Note: 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.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

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 use this checklist to 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
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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

• Most recent SF-50 reflecting your current, permanent status as a VA employee and your current grade level.

Next steps