Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment/Placement) Job

Vacancy No. 26-122-CR-MP Department Small Business Administration
Salary $99,800.00 to $158,322.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/17/2026 Close Date 6/23/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Denver, COWashington, DCHerndon, VA


Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment/Placement)

Small Business Administration

Summary

This position is located in the Small Business Administration, Office of Human Resource Solutions - OHRS. The purpose of this position is to provide the full range of recruitment and placement and Delegated Examining services, advice, and guidance on all aspects of human resources services for agency headquarters and field employees.

This job is open to

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Land and base management

Current or former employees of a base management agency.

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

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Duties

As a/an Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment/Placement) at theGS- 0201-12/13, some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Performs staffing, recruitment, and placement activities for a variety of positions in the competitive service and excepted service.
  • Ensures appointments are within the scope of Human Resources laws and regulations.
  • Assesses the eligibility and qualifications of applicants and determines the grade level(s) and occupations(s) for which they are qualified.
  • Determines veterans' preference eligibility and final adjudication.
  • Issues certificates of eligibles following delegated examining procedures and merit promotion procedures.
  • Engages in strategic conversations and provides advisory services to customers on a variety of staffing, recruitment and placement issues.
Note: The duties listed above are for both grade levels. At the lower grade level, closer oversight from the Team Lead or supervisor may be provided.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen
  • You must successfully complete a background investigation.
  • You may be required to serve a one year supervisory probationary period.

Qualifications

GS-12: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector: working in a human resources operation environment, interpreting, analyzing, evaluating, and applying federal human resources management principles, concepts, regulations and policies in order to advise managers on a variety of legal, regulatory and procedural issues related to recruitment and staffing.

  • Experience developing job analyses for vacancy announcements.
  • Experience using automated staffing systems to create vacancy announcements, rate and rank applications, and issue applicant referral lists for a variety of positions.
  • Processing a variety of personnel actions from start to finish (e.g., new hires, reassignments, or other employee placement actions) in an HR staffing/payroll system.
  • Experience in applying Merit Promotion and/or Delegated Examining policies, and non-competitive hiring authorities.
These qualifications must be clearly referenced in your resume.
At the GS-12 level, must be able to obtain and maintain Delegated Examining certification and other HR professional credentials as required.

GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector: working in a human resources operation environment, applying advanced Federal human resources management principles, concepts, regulations, and policies in order to provide expert advisory service and/or authoritative policy interpretations on complex, controversial, or precedent human resources management issues.
  • Experience independently developing job analyses and/or assessment tools or methods.
  • Experience using automated staffing systems to create vacancy announcements, rate and rank applications, and issue applicant referral lists for a variety of positions.
  • Processing a variety of personnel actions from start to finish (e.g., new hires, reassignments, or other employee placement actions) in an HR staffing/payroll system.
  • Experience in applying Merit Promotion and/or Delegated Examining policies, and non-competitive hiring authorities to communicating effectively, both verbally and inwriting, to advise customers on controversial or sensitive, complex, and difficult recruitment and placement issues.
These qualifications must be clearly referenced in your resume. Applicant must be able to obtain and maintain Delegated Examining certification and other HR professional credentials as required.

TIME IN GRADE: If you are a current career or career-conditional federal employee applying for promotion under Merit Promotion you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in positions at the next level lower than the position being filled.

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 OPM's Qualifications web site:

Human Resources Management Series - 0201

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.

Generally, time in Non-Pay status as a federal employee is not creditable towards the specialized experience requirement listed above.

All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 06/23/2026.

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience for this position.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments

Career and InterAgency Career Transition Assistance Programs:
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is a program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job in their current agency (intra-agency, i.e. SBA employees only).

Inter-Agency Career Transition Assistance (ICTAP) is a program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job at another agency (inter-agency; i.e. not applying to their current or former agency).

You are eligible for CTAP/ICTAP if:
1. You are a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee meaning you have received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF).
2. Your agency, or the agency to which you are applying, is accepting applications from within or outside of the permanent workforce.
3. The position to which you are applying MUST BE in the Local Commuting Area of the position of record from which you are being displaced.
4. You meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job for which you are applying. This includes being rated as well-qualified for the position (score of 85 or better based on your responses to the competencies and associated questions listed within the assessment).

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. For additional information visit www.sss.gov.

Consistent with work requirements and current SBA Policy, and all applicable provisions of the collective bargaining agreement with AFGE the SBA offers employees opportunities to perform work at an alternative location (e.g. home).

Telework may be available. For information on Telework visit: http://www.telework.gov/

Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement if additional vacancies occur within 180 days of the date the certificates were issued.

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.

Applicants meeting basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on additional assessments. As part of the evaluation process, applicants will be required to provide written responses to job-related questions. These responses will be used to assess your ability to communicate effectively in writing, demonstrate critical thinking, and convey relevant knowledge, skill and abilities for the position. Your answers should be clear, concise, and supported by specific examples from your experience. The quality, relevance, and completeness of your responses will be considered in determining your qualifications and ranking among candidates.

The assessments relate to the following Competencies required to do the work of this position:

  • Recruitment/Placement


All qualified Non Competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Required Documents

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date/time of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

1. Your Resume must not include photographs. Resume length may not exceed 2 pages and must contain the following information:

  • Name, address, telephone number, email address;
  • Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
  • If qualifying based on related unpaid (e.g. volunteer service) experience, you must provide hours worked per week and beginning/ending dates (mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy);
  • If other than full time you must provide hours worked per week.
  • PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. You must address the specific specialized experience required for each grade level of this position on your resume or application or you will be rated "Ineligible" for that grade level.
  • Should you submit multiple resumes, only the latest uploaded resume will be reviewed.

2. In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the occupational questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms, if applicable. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all documents are legible:
  • Federal employees must submit proof of your permanent career/career-conditional competitive status ("1" or "2" in Tenure, block 24 and "1" in Position Occupied, block 34). Submit SF-50 showing current grade and tenure and an SF-50 showing highest (permanent) grade ever held, if different. NOTE: An award or detail SF-50 will not be accepted as proof of status.
  • If you are using education as a substitution for experience (the announcement will state whether this is allowed), or if there is an educational requirement for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial or official) that clearly describes your qualifying education. If selected, official transcripts will be required;
  • If you are claiming Veteran status, you must submit a copy of all required documents to support your claim (e.g.: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA disability letter)--see VetGuide;
  • Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD-214 (showing the character of service) or other proof of service to receive consideration for veterans' preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit FedsHireVets.gov.
  • CTAP/ICTAP/RPL Applicants: Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (if applicable), your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330, and your most recent performance appraisal.

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

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions will affect your rating. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience your rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements
6. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.

To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov/
All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. 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

Conor Ryan
Email
conor.ryan@sba.gov
Address
Office of Human Resource Solutions - OHRS
409 3rd Street, SW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20416
US

Next steps

This is a non-bargaining unit position.
This is not a (drug) testing designated position (TDP).

SUITABILITY, CLEARANCE & REQUIREMENTS: A background investigation may be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period (depending on type of appointment authority) 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 organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of this period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the federal government's leading advocate for small businesses, we empower job creators with the essential resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. Our services reach communities nationwide through a robust network of SBA field offices and partnerships with both public and private organizations.

If you're seeking more than just a job - if you desire purpose, impact, and the chance to contribute to something truly meaningful - this is your opportunity. Small businesses are our nation's backbone, driving innovation, creating jobs, and fueling prosperity. At the SBA, you'll directly help empower these vital businesses and ignite economic growth under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Administrator Kelly Loeffler.

For over 70 years, the SBA has fueled America's small business success by providing crucial access to capital, federal contracts, and expert guidance. Beyond our critical disaster recovery efforts, where we deploy aid and expertise to help communities rebuild, your role will directly contribute to the start, growth, and expansion of businesses nationwide, creating jobs and strengthening the economic fabric of our communities.

Agency contact information

Conor Ryan
Email
conor.ryan@sba.gov
Address
Office of Human Resource Solutions - OHRS
409 3rd Street, SW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20416
US

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