Human Resource Specialist (Recruitment/Placement)

Human Resource Specialist (Recruitment/Placement)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Little Rock, Arkansas, Washington, District of Columbia, Atlanta, Georgia, Austin, Texas

Salary Range: $89508 - $138370 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Office (VACO) Human Resources Service Center (HRSC) that focuses on the establishment and transition of human capital services for VACO staff offices from the Veterans Health, Veterans Benefits, and National Cemetery Administrations.

Major Duties:

• The position will serve as a senior recruitment and placement specialist providing a high level of program support in the staffing, recruitment, and pay administration program areas. Assignments include developing and applying recruitment and placement processes, rules, regulations, and laws and suggesting changes and new methodologies to management. The incumbent provides managers and employees with information and interpretations of HR policies, procedures and guidelines, when the issues addressed require substantial interpretation, there is potential for controversy, or the issue involves more than one area of HR policy. Provides expert program support of VACO HR programs by developing comprehensive solutions to a broad range of the most difficult operational issues handled by the division. Evaluates staffing and recruitment programs to assess if they meet basic program goals and objectives. Provides recommendations that meet immediate as well as long-term needs. Provides advice and guidance to VACO managers regarding internal/external placement, including carrying out special placement activities and providing interpretation and assistance. Executes special recruitment programs to attract well qualified candidates for positions where applicants are in short supply, utilizing imaginative approaches and simultaneous searches for candidates from sources outside the existing work force. Reviews and interprets draft regulations, standards or other guides for impact on the recruitment program. Determines the degree of compliance with regulations and other employment program requirements. Ensures that assigned employee recruitment and placement programs meet requirements outlined in agency guidance. Research cases prepares/provides detailed documentation and/or responses for resolution of formal grievances/complaints on qualifications ratings or related merit actions (other than non-selection). Preferred experience as certified DEU consultant. This requires reviewing recruitment packages for completeness, filling out required forms, reviewing applicants, issuing certificate, auditing files, and processing Passovers of Veterans. Reviews recruitment and placement actions and provides advice on difficult issues. Takes appropriate action to correct any inefficient, inadequate, or invalid actions and methods. Identifies problems and conflicts with current or acceptable policies and procedures. Reviews new or proposed HR policies, procedures and guidelines and makes recommendations to management on the need for changes in existing policies. Reviews and analyzes new or proposed HR policies, procedures and guidelines for impact on organization practices. Establishes and maintains a cooperative working relationship with managers. Meets with managers to develop adequate and accurate vacancy announcements and recruitment strategies. Carries out special projects (independently or in conjunction with Division Chief) relating to program operations and resources utilization. Develops and/or monitors proposals or plans related to the implementation of HR programs or projects. Leads ad hoc work teams on special projects, etc. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Maybe Available Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD41375-A and PD41148-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not required Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/11/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. AND Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade. The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above. To qualify for this position at the GS-12/13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria: Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Applying advanced knowledge in Federal, VA Law, regulations, policies, processes and advanced practices in classification and position management. Carry out complex studies and projects for the classification and position management of positions including especially difficult management advisory services within and outside VA. Analyzes program mission and current classification and position management issues and develops possible approaches, alternatives, and solutions. Provide technical advice and assistance to personnel and customers in the resolution of difficult classification and position management related problems for all levels and complexities of organization. Maintain a current knowledge and understanding of classification, position management, global, industry, market, and social trends and applies them to create long-range options, scenarios, and plans to successfully advance the organization's mission. ~OR~ Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Applying advanced knowledge in Federal, VA Law, regulations, policies, processes and advanced practices in classification and position management. Carry out complex studies and projects for the classification and position management of positions including especially difficult management advisory services within and outside VA. Analyzes program mission and current classification and position management issues and develops possible approaches, alternatives, and solutions. Provide technical advice and assistance to personnel and customers in the resolution of difficult classification and position management related problems for all levels and complexities of organization. Maintain a current knowledge and understanding of classification, position management, global, industry, market, and social trends and applies them to create long-range options, scenarios, and plans to successfully advance the organization's mission. In order to qualify for the GS-12, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: Analyze and evaluate complex classification issues, ensuring compliance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) standards. Develop, review, and certify position descriptions across various occupational series for executive level positions. Experience with performing staffing and recruitment placement functions under Merit Staffing, and other hiring authorities and providing advice on the processing of a wide range of personnel actions to include accessions, promotions, reassignments, realignments, details, transfers, awards, and resignations. In order to qualify for the GS-13, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: Experience with performing staffing and recruitment placement functions under Merit Staffing, and other hiring authorities and providing advice on the processing of a wide range of personnel actions to include accessions, promotions, reassignments, realignments, details, transfers, awards, and resignations. Experience with utilizing various HR related automated software programs (i.e. USA Staffing, Personnel Processing Systems, etc.) to maintain personnel data; and Experience with administering guidance to management and employees on various HR related topics (i.e., recruitment, staffing placement, and classification). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Recruitment and Placement 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. Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from Washington DC. This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. 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: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Assessment Update Policy: Please be advised that once your application is submitted, the assessment responses cannot be revised or updated. The numerical rating (score) from your initial submission will be final and used for all rating purposes. You may, however, update your eligibility information and submit additional supporting documents (e.g., SF-50s) for this vacancy after your initial submission but before the closing date of the announcement. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at: https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/ To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status (if applicable), and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-11