Human Resources Specialist (Compensation) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. HCMD-2025-056 Department Architect of the Capitol
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/1/2024 Close Date 11/19/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

Do you have expertise in compensation administration (developing compensation policies and guidance), and advising on the use of compensation flexibilities to help recruit, manage, and retain employees?

AOC employees are passionate about the agency's mission to serve Congress and the Supreme Court, preserve America's Capitol, and inspire memorable experiences.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

See requirements section of this announcement for information on who may apply. Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.

Duties

The position is in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Human Capital Management Division (HCMD), Classification and Compensation. The incumbent's work involves analyzing, interpreting, developing, and/or implementing pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and/or guidance involving subject matter areas within compensation administration (developing compensation policies) and advising management on the use of compensation flexibilities to help recruit, manage and retain employees.

The duties include:

Compensation Management (60%)

Oversees compensation function for all General Schedule and Wage Grade positions. 

Assesses jobs and their respective duties to determine classification as exempt or nonexempt and appropriate salary range. Makes appropriate recommendations regarding the Agency’s wage grade pay structure.

Research compensation trends and conducts salary surveys to advise managers and leadership of the impact on AOC positions. Provide subject matter expertise on setting pay and advise management on the use of pay flexibilities to help recruit, manage and retain employees.  Benchmarks jobs against market-based compensation survey data to determine competitive compensation ranges for each position.

Performs compensation work that involves analyzing, interpreting, developing, and/or implementing laws, regulations, policies and/or guidance.  Designs and prepare reports summarizing job and compensation analysis; uses spreadsheet and data analysis techniques to assess results and market trends.  

Provides technical expertise and support services to all jurisdictions through the development, negotiation, communication, and administration of compensation consistent with the Agency’s goals.

Responds to inquiries involving pay administration and other compensation issues of employees for problem resolution of pay disparities and other inquiries and concerns in a timely manner.

Assumes responsibility for self-development by keeping abreast of current research, trends and best practices, and laws and regulations and remain current with the technology being utilized within the Agency and the field of employee compensation.

Compensation Advisory Services (30%)
Conducts market studies to collect compensation data to ensure salaries are competitive and equitable based on industry standards. Provide salary and compensation recommendations to managers and AOC Leadership.

Advises management on applicable state and federal employment regulations and compensation policies.

Provides expert advisory service and/or authoritative policy interpretations on complex, controversial or unprecedented compensation issues.

Provides compensation and position management advisory services to management involving position classification audits.

Prepares salary histories as requested.

Position Classification Administration (10%)
Provides backup support to establish and fill positions by updating the position descriptions to reflect current requirements. Perform fact-finding audits and supervisory consultations to accurately describe positions, complete the evaluations and classify the positions.

Assists with advisory services related to the impact of proposed reorganizations, and where appropriate, recommends alternative position management structures.

Assists with providing information on organizational alignment and supervisory ratios.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be able to pass a drug test.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
  • You must meet the definition of specialized experience.

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

  • A citizen of the United States;
  • A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
  • A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
  • A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
  • A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM classification standards

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Candidates for the GS-13 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as the following:

(1) Demonstrated expertise in current trends in compensation theory, wage, and salary practices, job evaluation methods, pay plan design, position control procedures, and reward strategies; (2) Demonstrated experience in the ability to effectively use technology in daily work, including analyzing compensation data; (3) Knowledge and ability to use spreadsheet and compensation-related software. (4) Ability to apply statistical models for assessment of compensation practices; (5) Knowledge to calculate the financial costing of any pay change impact; and (6) Ability to provide expert advisory service and/or authoritative policy interpretations on complex, controversial or unprecedented position classification and compensation issues.

The ideal candidate is well-versed in developing assessment tools to gather, analyze, evaluate, and interpret information to arrive at an opinion or decision for a wide variety of general schedule, senior executive, and wage grade system positions. Must be able to adopt OPM regulations, guidance and apply Architect of the Capitol standards, policies, processes, and procedures.

Education

There is no educational requirement for the Human Resources Management series (0201); however, a bachelor’s degree is preferred. 

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
 
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.
 
The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
 
Moving expenses are not authorized.
 
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
 
Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

Benefits

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.

A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc.

The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.

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.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions. 

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

  • Ability to build strong collaborative relationships with clients to provide extraordinary customer service.
  • Knowledge of and skill in applying a wide variety of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations, guidance, and standards including the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, General Schedule Qualification Standards, Federal Wage System Qualification Standards, pay systems, and hiring flexibilities.
  • Ability to interact with all levels of management, employees, applicants, and other clients as a strategic partner in the delivery of staffing services.
  • Ability to communicate both orally and in writing sufficient to gain acceptance and understanding of findings and recommendations. 

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application).


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) job application process is designed to ensure you only provide information necessary to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position vacancy.

To apply for this position, you only need to submit: a) your resume and b) answers to the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant information. No additional documentation or attachments are required at the time of application.

Your resume should list your education, training and work experience including job titles, employment dates, duties and accomplishments.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by AOC’s Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for the position, you will be asked to provide it during the interview or selection process. At that time, you may be asked to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, you may be asked to provide a copy of your diploma, college transcripts, or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires licensure or certification, you will be asked to provide proof at the time of selection.

If Veterans’ preference is claimed, you will be asked to submit proof (DD-214, and, if claiming a 10-point preference, a SF-15 and the proof required by that form).

Failure to provide the required documents will end further consideration and/or result in the withdrawal of any tentative job offers.

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

You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page.

NEED HELP?
If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.

All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature.

If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.

Agency contact information

Tamara Baptist
Phone
202-445-5319
Fax
202-226-9755
Email
tamara.baptist@aoc.gov
Address
Architect of the Capitol
2nd and D Street, S.W.
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You will receive a notice generated by the USAJOBS System when you have successfully submitted your application. We will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.

You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two (2) weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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