Human Resources Specialist

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to Federal employees and other eligible applicants.

This position serves as a Human Resources Specialist within HCMA, supporting the Workforce Strategy, Talent Management, and Accountability, Audit & Compliance divisions. The role operates within a rotational model, contributing to enterprise-wide HR programs while developing progressively advanced HR expertise aligned with federal laws, regulations, and merit system principles. The incumbent functions as an independent HR specialist, performing full lifecycle human resources work.

A HR Specialist, at full performance level, will perform duties such as:
* Independently advising customer representatives on staffing related matters.
* Independently researching and applying applicable regulations to their own work.
* Drafting applicable job analysis documents.
* Reviewing application packages for eligibility and qualification.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period. See "Additional Information" for specific details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Human Resources Specialist, at GS-0201-5/7/9/11, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below.

GS-05 Specialized Experience Statement
To qualify for the GS-05 HR Specialist position applicants must possess one ear of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience obtained in the private sector, military, state, local, or other non-Federal organizations, that demonstrates the ability to perform developmental human capital support work. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Assisting with the review and processing of personnel, staffing, or administrative documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Collecting, entering, maintaining, or updating personnel, workforce, or organizational data using automated systems, databases, or spreadsheets.
• Providing customer service by responding to routine inquiries regarding personnel procedures, application processes, or organizational policies.
• Assisting in the preparation of reports, summaries, or analyses by gathering information from multiple sources and organizing data for review.
• Supporting management functions by performing administrative and technical support tasks under established procedures.
• Reviewing records and documentation to identify missing information and ensure compliance with established requirements and guidelines.

This experience demonstrates attention to detail, ability to analyze and organize information, skill in using automated systems, and the ability to communicate effectively with customers and stakeholders while supporting human capital programs and operations.

GS-07 Specialized Experience Statement
To qualify for the GS-07 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience obtained in the private sector, military, state, local, or other non-Federal organizations.
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Assisting with personnel administration, or compliance-related activities.
• Utilizing automated human resources systems, databases, and spreadsheets to maintain records and retrieve information.
• Gathering, compiling, and organizing workforce, staffing, or personnel data for reports, studies, or management review.
• Assisting with workforce planning, staffing analyses, and organizational assessments by identifying basic trends and workforce information.
• Responding to routine inquiries from employees, and managers regarding human capital procedures, policies, and processes.
• Reviewing records and documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established requirements.
• Supporting audit, accountability, delegated examining, or internal control activities by assembling documentation and conducting preliminary reviews.

This experience must demonstrate knowledge of fundamental human capital principles and practices; the ability to apply established procedures and guidelines; skill in reviewing and analyzing information; proficiency in using automated systems; and the ability to communicate effectively with customers and stakeholders while performing developmental human resources assignments.


GS-09 Specialized Experience Statement
To qualify for the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience obtained in the private sector, military, state, local, or other non-Federal organizations.
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Applying human capital policies, procedures, and regulations to support recruitment, staffing, classification, workforce planning, or personnel management activities.
• Reviewing documentation for accuracy, completeness, and proper coding.
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting workforce or personnel data and assisting in the preparation of reports, metrics, dashboards, or workforce analyses.
• Supporting workforce planning initiatives by identifying staffing trends, workforce gaps, and organizational requirements.
• Reviewing records and case files to support audits, delegated examining reviews, compliance assessments, and internal control activities.
• Providing guidance and assistance to managers, employees, and applicants regarding human capital processes, policies, and procedures.

This experience must demonstrate the ability to independently perform developmental human capital assignments, analyze and evaluate personnel information, apply established HR regulations and procedures, communicate effectively with customers and stakeholders, and support a variety of human capital programs and operational functions.

GS-11 Specialized Experience Statement
To qualify for the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience obtained in the private sector, military, state, local, or other non-Federal organizations.
Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Providing advisory and technical services to managers and employees on position management, classification, workforce planning, special employment programs, and related human capital functions.
• Reviewing and processing personnel actions and related documentation to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting workforce, staffing, and organizational data to identify workforce trends, staffing requirements, and potential workforce gaps.
• Preparing reports, dashboards, studies, and recommendations to support workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and management decision-making.
• Providing guidance to managers, supervisors, employees, and applicants regarding human resources policies, procedures, and program requirements.
• Supporting audits, delegated examining reviews, accountability assessments, and internal control activities by reviewing documentation, evaluating compliance, and identifying corrective actions when appropriate.
• Conducting briefings, presentations, or training sessions on human resources programs, processes, and requirements.

This experience must demonstrate the ability to independently perform a full range of human capital assignments; analyze and resolve complex personnel issues; interpret and apply human resources laws, regulations, and policies; provide authoritative guidance to management officials; evaluate workforce data and organizational requirements; and support staffing, classification, workforce planning, and compliance programs.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the 06/24/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 06/24/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

How you will be evaluated

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

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. You must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments.

Your USAHIRE assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

Additionally, we will review your supporting documents and resume to determine if you are in the "Area of Consideration" for this vacancy. Government-Wide Merit Promotion vacancies may only accept applications from a limited audience, pay careful attention to the "Who May Apply" and the "Hiring Paths" information. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

BASIS OF FINAL RATING:
DOJ's Merit Promotion Procedures will be used to evaluate candidates.

If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12979239.

Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection.

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on your eligibility.

Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

• Official position title,
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (including month and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

If you are a current or former Federal employee:

1. You must submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent agency form that lists the full position title, series, grade and step,organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and your service type and tenure status.
2. Submit a copy of your most recent performance evaluation or appraisal, signed, showing your final rating. If a performance appraisal is not available submit a statement explaining why one is not available.

Due Weight for Performance:

1. You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, and
2. A list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years.

If you are a Veteran or a qualifying parent or spouse:

1. When claiming a Veteran's Preference, you must submit your last DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) form, specifically the Member #4 Copy, indicating dates and character of service and discharge type.
2. If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating, you will need to additionally submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and a copy of your VA Letter stating your disability rating.
3. If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and are seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter, and/or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. See Veteran Family Preference for more information.
4. For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.

If you are applying for consideration under the Military Spouse Appointing Authority:

1. Spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty: documentation showing 1) your spouse's active-duty status and 2) your proof of marriage document.
2. Spouse of service members who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active-duty service: 1) the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent; and 2) your proof of marriage document.
3. Spouse of service members killed while on active duty: 1) the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; 2) the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; 3) your proof of marriage and proof of widow/widower documents; and 4) a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.

If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP:

1. These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
2. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
3. Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
4. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
   • Submit your SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location OR Certification of Expected Separation, RIF Separation Notice, OR Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.

If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required:

1. Your transcript must contain a full list of courses. credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
2. Your transcript must come from a nationally accredited educational institution
3. If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. Transcript must also be in English or include an English translation.

Next steps