Summary
Now hiring:
The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Central Office, located at the Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center in St. Louis, MO, is currently recruiting for the Human Resources Specialist - Performance Management position within our Human Resources Division.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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
Recent graduates
Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.
Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Performance Management Guidance: Advise managers, supervisors, and employees on performance management policies, procedures, and best practices. Deliver individual and group training as needed.
- Policy Interpretation & Compliance: Interpret OPM, Workforce Management Consulting (WMC), and VA performance management policies. Collaborate with WMC to maintain and distribute performance standards across all VCS locations.
- Performance Cycle Administration: Monitor annual performance plans, mid-year reviews, and year-end appraisals to ensure timely completion. Process performance plan closeouts and summary ratings in accordance with policy.
- Quality Assurance: Review performance appraisals for technical accuracy and policy compliance before they are issued to employees.
- Performance Awards Coordination: Coordinate with leadership on performance award budgets and payouts. Prepare reports to support award processing and decision-making.
- Performance Improvement Support: Guide managers on addressing performance concerns and assist with documentation and processing of unsatisfactory performance actions.
- Program Analysis & Process Improvement: Analyze performance management data to identify trends, resolve issues, and recommend process improvements that enhance program efficiency and compliance.
- Additional Responsibilities & Flexibility: Perform and adapt to additional responsibilities as needed.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
As a Condition of Employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-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:
- 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
- Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Additional Conditions of Employment include:
-Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
-Subject to background/security investigation.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Relevant Human Resources Experience: Bachelor's degree OR a minimum of three (3) years of general Human Resources experience demonstrating strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, OR equivalent leadership experience in a food or retail environment.
- Human Resources Knowledge: Working knowledge of HR principles, practices, and procedures, with the ability to interpret and apply HR policies, guidelines, and regulations.
- Federal HR Expertise: Experience applying Federal Human Resources regulations, including 38 U.S.C. 7802, Title 5, and Title 38, in support of HR operations and decision-making.
- Collaboration & Relationship Building: Ability to work effectively with Human Resources professionals across Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA), while clearly communicating and supporting VCS hiring policies and procedures.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and professionally to employees, managers, and leadership.
- Core HR Functional Knowledge: Experience in one or more core Human Resources functions, including Personnel Actions, Recruitment and Placement, Classification, Compensation and Benefits, Employee and Labor Relations, Training, and Reasonable Accommodation.
- HR Consultation & Guidance: Ability to provide guidance and recommendations to managers and senior leaders on Human Resources policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Organization & Time Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs in a fast-paced environment.
- Microsoft Office Proficiency: Minimum intermediate-level proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with the ability to create and edit documents, analyze data, develop presentations, manage calendars and email communications, and utilize these tools to support daily business operations efficiently.
Additional information
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.
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.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. 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; religions; 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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package that includes:
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal Employees), etc.
- Most recent SF-50
- Performance Appraisal
- Separation Notice (RIF)
Veterans' Preference: Since the Veterans Canteen Service falls under 38 U.S.C. 7802, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified Veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
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
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 8/4/2026 to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account, or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.