Human Resources Specialist (Staffing and Recruitment) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. SA-13007896-26-RC Department Offices, Boards and Divisions
Salary $85,447.00 to $133,142.00 Grade 11 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/15/2026 Close Date 7/23/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Human Resources Specialist (Staffing and Recruitment)

Department of Justice
Offices, Boards and Divisions
Office of Management Programs, Office of Human Resources

Summary

Join one of the Department of Justice's top Human Resources programs. The Civil Division seeks Staffing and Recruitment Specialists to recruit top talent, advise officials hiring practices, and guide candidates from recruitment through onboarding. If you enjoy working in a fast paced environment, collaborating with others, and making a lasting impact, we'd love to have you on our team.

This job is open to

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to Schedule A 213.3102 (u) applicants.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities for a GS-0201-11/12 Human Resources Specialist (Staffing and Recruitment) generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

GS-11:

  • Assisting with preparing vacancy announcements for Merit Promotion and attorney hiring actions.
  • Processing personnel actions in EPIC and EmpowHR
  • Maintaining position data in PMSO
  • Communicating onboarding requirements to selectees
  • Conducting system research using NFC tools (IRIS, Mainframe)
  • Reviewing eOPFs and staffing case files for accuracy
GS-12:
  • Managing Merit Promotion and attorney hiring recruitment actions
  • Developing vacancy announcements and related recruitment materials
  • Conducting job analysis and developing assessment criteria
  • Determining applicant qualifications based on OPM and agency guidelines
  • Processing personnel actions using HR systems (EPIC, EmpowHR, PMSO, NFC tools)
  • Supporting onboarding and pre-employment processing activities
  • Coordinating with selecting officials throughout the recruitment and selection process
  • Communicating with applicants regarding hiring requirements and onboarding steps
  • Conducting recruitment outreach activities, including job postings and candidate sourcing

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen or National.
  • Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 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.
  • You will be required to complete a suitability review.
  • You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Human Resources Specialist (Staffing and Recruitment), at GS-0201-11/12, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.

If you are a current or former federal employee on a permanent appointment in the competitive service, you will need to demonstrate 1-year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level as listed in the qualifications below. Time-in-Grade applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. Additionally, please ensure to submit an applicable SF-50 (please refer to the "required documents" section for additional information).

To qualify for the GS-11 Human Resources Specialist (Staffing and Recruitment) position, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal service performing such duties as: assisting with or performing staffing and recruitment work. This includes supporting Merit Promotion or attorney hiring actions, reviewing applicant qualifications using established criteria, processing personnel actions in HR systems, and assisting with onboarding activities. Experience should show the ability to apply HR rules, follow established procedures, and use multiple HR systems to support staffing operations under close or developmental supervision.

To qualify for the GS-12 Human Resources Specialist (Staffing and Recruitment) position, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service performing such duties as: independently performing staffing and recruitment work. This includes managing Merit Promotion and attorney hiring actions, determining applicant qualifications, processing a range of personnel actions using HR systems, and coordinating onboarding activities. Experience should reflect the ability to apply Federal staffing regulations, resolve routine staffing issues independently, and manage recruitment cases with minimal oversight.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by 07/23/2026 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.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. The bullets below outline the various groups of applicants that fall under the term "status candidates". This vacancy is open to applicants from any of the groups listed below: When you apply you'll have the chance to claim an eligibility pathway, be sure you fully read each statement and any links provided to make sure you know which eligibility you qualify for. See a full list and learn more at USAJOBS, see: What does Status Candidate mean? or Which Jobs am I Eligible to Apply for?

  1. SCHEDULE A, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Learn more at USAJOBS - Individuals with Disabilities.
General Employment Information:
  1. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Our policy can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy
  2. SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you were born male, on or 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
Probationary or Trial Period (as applicable): As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-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:1) your performance and conduct;2) the needs and interests of the agency;3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and4) whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to Victoria Jones at victoria.jones@usdoj.gov. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

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.

Once the announcement closes, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. This information will be compared against your responses to the application questionnaire to determine your eligibility for Federal employment, and then whether you are qualified for this particular position. If a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible.

BASIS OF RATING: DOJ's Merit Promotion Procedures will be used to evaluate candidates.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and other characteristics):

  • HR Information Systems
  • Recruitment/Placement
  • Technical Competence


Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. Qualified applications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the highest qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Applicants must receive a cut score of 85 to be considered.

If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13007896

Required Documents

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 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. Do not submit an award SF-50. Your SF-50 should list 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. Note: See USAJOBS Current & Former Employees for more information.
If you are a person with a disability, claiming eligibility under Schedule A:
  1. You must submit "proof of a disability" documentation
  2. You must get this letter from your doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits.
  3. For more information about Schedule A and verification requirements, please see OPM's Schedule A site.
If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required:
  1. You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing 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 recognized by the Department of Education.
  3. Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection. These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. Your transcript must also be in English or have an English translation included.

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. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. Due weight for performance applies to federal and non-federal work. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available.

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

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on to receive consideration.

  • Click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
NEED HELP? If you need help with USAJOBs or the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help or Application Manager Online Help websites which includes information on managing your account, creating an application, uploading documents, etc.

Reasonable Accommodation: To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact at or for assistance.

Agency contact information

Romaine Chase

Next steps

You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated by DOJ. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list.

We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from the close of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement within 90 days.

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging career? Join the U.S. Department of Justice!

The Department of Justice (DOJ) leads the nation in safeguarding Americans while upholding constitutional freedoms. As part of our team, you'll contribute to a vital mission while advancing your career.

Mission:

DOJ is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights.

Core Values:

  1. Independence and Impartiality. DOJ works each day to earn the public's trust by following the facts and the law wherever they may lead, without prejudice or improper influence.
  2. Honesty and Integrity. DOJ's employees adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior, mindful that, as public servants, we must work to earn the trust of, and inspire confidence in, the public we serve.
  3. Respect. DOJ's employees value differences in people and in ideas and treat everyone with fairness, dignity, and compassion.
  4. Excellence. DOJ works every day to provide the highest levels of service to the American people and to be a responsible steward of the taxpayers' dollars.

Agency contact information

Romaine Chase

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