Human Resources Specialist
What you'd do
This position serves as a Human Resources (HR) Liaison Consultant for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Human Capital Services (HCS), Office of Staff Operations (OSO), and Human Resources Program Management Operations (HRPMO) Team. The incumbent reports to the Assistant Chief (HR) Liaison Consultant and serves as a member of the (HR) Liaison Consultant Team.
Major duties
Specific duties include: Serves as a member of the (HR) Liaison Consultant Team. In this role, the incumbent is responsible for providing guidance and assistance on matters of human resources management, talent management, administrative and support services, and the performance of HR Liaison assignments across the VBA enterprise. Serves as a resource contact for evaluating and providing solutions and courses of actions for complex and difficult HR Operations matters and performs a variety of analytical, planning, evaluative and advisory work necessary for ensuring the most effective and efficient management of HR Operations services, programs, and processes. Responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and administrative and technical control over functions and activities of VBA's HR Liaison Consultant Program. Responsible for implementing nationwide HR Liaison policies and strategies; implementing process and system improvements; submitting proposals and methodologies for training and, as a member of a team or independently, completing HR and other projects for the Chief, HR Liaison, which impacts all levels of the organization. Contributes to the team in evaluating and identifying needs for program improvements, which typically includes developing operational guidance for implementation, to meet customer concerns to advance the HCS goals and objectives. Applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to assess and improve program effectiveness and/or complex management processes. Coordinates, as appropriate, with affected VBA customers and stakeholders, the development, issuance, and implementation of required changes. Studies federal regulations and legislative proposals to identify issues having HR impact and coordinates efforts of other subject matter experts in support of, or in opposition to, the development of recommended changes. Directs consultant services to Human Resources Liaisons (HRL) throughout the enterprise to improve human resources operational services to meet the HCS mission. These services include end-to-end activities aligned with all disciplines of human resources management (e.g., classification position management, recruitment and placement, onboarding (inclusive of NEO), employee benefits, performance management, recognition and rewards, employee relations, offboarding, HR analytics, and HRIT system implementations. Collaborates with supervisor, team members and stakeholders to develop operational procedures and guidance, provides comprehensive technical support, expert advice, researches and investigates new or improved business and management practices for application throughout The HR Liaison Consultant program. Leads and/or serves as a member of ad-hoc teams to plan, develop, and publish training and/or guidance concerning significant issues in the functional area. Serves as advisor of guidance/policy regarding operational issues or questions of substantial breadth. Provides technical advice, assistance, and consultation to customers on a broad range of human resources matters, problems, and policy questions involving subject matters relating principally to the HR operational area. Provides comprehensive, in-depth assessments of the variables concerned and identifies with the customer aspects of the issue/problem that involve other program areas for the help of team members having the necessary expertise to provide a comprehensive cross-cutting HR policy-driven answer or recommendation. Develops formal written advisory determinations, operating procedures in response to customer requests or process matters. Such advisories involve in-depth analyses of substantive HR issues or questions and represent definitive treatments of the problems. Maintains current knowledge of HR policies and procedures, program trends, Administration initiatives, regulatory changes, and other developments affecting the operational area, and advises and makes recommendations to management and HR officials. Where appropriate, prepares documentation of information gathered, recommendations/commitments made, objectives achieved, and findings developed. Promotion Potential: None. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: Current HCS staff with an out-based duty location will continue to report to their current approved duty location upon selection. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist; 40237-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:07/14/2026. BASIC REQUIREMENT: To qualify for the HR Specialist position, candidates must meet the following basic requirements as described in 1 of the following methods: a. Merit-Based Method, b. Education-Based Method or c. Training-Based Method: Method 1: Merit-Based Method. The Merit-Based Method allows for a candidate to meet the basic requirement by possession of 1 year of specialized experience requiring knowledge of and/or skill in applying basic HR concepts, laws, principles, policies, methods, practices and/or HR systems. 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. This experience must be equivalent to at least the GS-4 level of the Federal Government. OR Method 2: Education-Based Method. The Education-Based Method allows for a candidate to meet the basic requirement by possession of the following: Successful completion of bachelor's degree (or higher). OR Method 3: Training-Based Method. The Training-Based Method allows for a candidate to meet the basic requirement by possession of the following: 6-months of general experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 level of the Federal Government, requiring knowledge of and/or skill in applying laws, regulations, rules, principles, policies, methods, practices, supporting customers, communicating in writing and/or verbally & using various computer systems & office equipment in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions, plus the possession of 1 of the four training criteria. Training 1: Successful completion of at least 12 credit hours of college-level (associate degree or higher level) course work in any of the following types of fields, majors or programs or those closely related as evidenced by the course or programs: HR (general), HR development, HR management, business, business management/administration, industrial relations, labor relations, industrial psychology, organizational psychology, organizational development, management, organizational behavior, pre-law/law, legal studies, health care management/administration, public administration, public policy, human services, leadership and humanities. Training 2: Successful completion of at least 4 formal training courses in HR. The focus of these HR courses will be in areas or those closely related to general HR, Federal HR, private sector/corporate HR or HR management. These courses must be offered through VA (i.e., Talent Management System courses), Federal agencies/departments (i.e., OPM Federal Human Resources Institute) or through external organizations (i.e., HR Certification Institute (HRCI®) Learning, HR University or Management Concepts). For the purpose of this standard, formal means interactive (online or in-person) training that includes communication between the participants and/or the instructor. Successful completion is evidenced by documentation of successful completion by the training organization. Training 3: Successful completion of a formal certificate program in any of the areas (or related areas) listed in Training 1 (above) or those closely related as evidenced by the course or programs. A formal certificate program for the purposes of this standard means a series or set of courses that provide a foundational or advanced knowledge. The courses must have been provided by an accredited college, university, organization or company & must have required assignments and/or other course work. Examples of providers include, but are not limited to, Purdue University, Global Cornell University (i.e., eCornell) or Wharton School. Successful completion is evidenced by documentation of completion by the training organization. Training 4: Current professional HR certification through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), HRCI®, International Public Management Association (IPMA) (or Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA)), American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) or an organization or company that has a formal structure & is nationally recognized by the profession. GS-0201 levels 12-15 Requirement: To qualify for a Human Resources (HR) Specialist GS-0201 at the GS-12-15 grade levels, candidates cannot qualify based on education only, they must possess either: Criteria 1: Graduate level degree or higher and 3 years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level OR Criteria 2: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12 AND 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. For a GS-13 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-13 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience is defined as experience ensuring the training development among all HR disciplines are integrated with the goals of the organization; creating relevant surveys that assist in determining the effectiveness of training programs; developing training programs to address training gaps through survey results; developing formal and informal presentations utilizing multiple training modalities (i.e., virtual, impromptu); developing training in specific HR Liaison disciplines. Volunteer Experience: 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary with some walking, standing, bending, and/or carrying lightweight items. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
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