Human Resources Specialist (Recent Graduate)
What you'd do
Interested in a career in human resources? Join the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, as a Human Resources Specialist (Recent Graduate). You do not need a degree in Human Resources to apply. If selected, you will receive formal training, mentoring, and on-the-job experience while building the knowledge and skills needed for a rewarding career in federal human resources.
Major duties
As a GS-0201-07, your typical work assignments may include the following: Supporting the delivery of human resources services to employees, supervisors, HR staff, and program offices. Researching HR questions, gathering information, and assisting with recommendations consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Preparing and updating HR documents related to personnel actions, organizational changes, policy updates, and workforce activities. Collecting, verifying, entering, and maintaining personnel information in automated HR systems. Running reports to support workforce planning, compliance, and operational decision-making. Responding to customer inquiries and coordinating HR actions with internal stakeholders. Using spreadsheets, collaboration tools, dashboards, automation tools, and approved AI-enabled tools, when authorized, to support research, drafting, reporting, data organization, and workflow improvements. As a GS-0201-09, your typical work assignment may include the following: Applying federal human resources principles and Merit System Principles to support employees, supervisors, and hiring managers. Collaborating with hiring managers and administrative staff to support recruitment and staffing activities. Preparing Requests for Personnel Action (SF-52s) and processing personnel actions. Assisting with recruitment, performance management, awards, and other HR programs. Participating in projects to improve HR processes and customer service. Preparing correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other HR documents. Maintaining personnel data using automated HR systems and spreadsheets. Responding to inquiries regarding HR policies, procedures, and personnel actions.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for the position of Human Resources Specialist (Recent Graduate), GS-0201-7/9 you must meet both the eligibility requirements for the Pathways Recent Graduate Program and the minimum qualifications for the grade level(s) for which you apply. Pathways Recent Graduate Eligibility You must meet one of the following requirements: Have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctoral, vocational, or technical degree, certificate, or other qualifying postsecondary credential from an accredited educational institution. OR Be a preference-eligible veteran whose military service prevented you from applying during the standard eligibility period. In this case, eligibility may extend up to six years after completing the qualifying degree or certificate. You must submit a DD-214 documenting the qualifying period of military service. You do not need a degree in Human Resources to qualify for this position. We Welcome Applicants from Many Backgrounds! We encourage applicants from a wide variety of academic disciplines to apply, provided they meet the qualification requirements. Successful Human Resources Specialists come from many educational backgrounds, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the profession. Relevant experience may have been gained through: Coursework Internships Student employment Full-time or part-time work Military service Volunteer service Apprenticeships Research projects Leadership roles in student organizations Community involvement Other academic, professional, or life experiences that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed If selected, you will receive formal training, structured on-the-job learning, mentoring from experienced HR professionals, and ongoing professional development to help you build a successful career in federal human resources. Strong candidates typically demonstrate: Strong written and verbal communication skills Sound judgment, integrity, and attention to detail Strong customer service and interpersonal skills Ability to learn new systems, technology, policies, and procedures Critical thinking and problem-solving skills Initiative, adaptability, and a commitment to public service Grade-specific requirements Applicants must meet Minimum Qualifications for the grade level(s) for which they are applying. Applicants may qualify at the GS-7 level based on one of the following: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level that demonstrates experience performing administrative or human resources-related work, such as assisting with personnel actions, staffing activities, document preparation, records management, customer service, maintaining data, or performing similar support functions. OR Education: One full year of graduate education or Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree, AND meet one of the following: Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all undergraduate coursework or courses completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Grade point average of 3.45 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Class standing in the upper one-third of your graduating class, college, university, or major subdivision. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies; OR Combination: A combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience. Applicants may qualify at the GS-9 level based on one of the following: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level that demonstrates experience supporting recruitment, staffing, personnel administration, HR advisory services, organizational management, business operations, or related administrative work involving research, analysis, customer service, document preparation, or process improvement. OR Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or a master's, LL.B., or J.D. OR Combination: A combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/07/2026. Your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet the qualification requirements and support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important information about resume requirements.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
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