Human Resources Specialist (Classification)
What you'd do
This vacancy is for a Human Resources Specialist (Classification) position in the Human Resources Division located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.
Major duties
Serve as a technical expert providing managers with definitive interpretations of the bureau’s classification, compensation, and position management procedures, practices, policies, and guidelines. Apply and explain bureau level guidance to clarify issues, resolve conflicting guidance, and/or alleviate other potential or existing problems, such as those pertaining to competitive levels and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) determinations. Design, develop and/or implement innovative position structures and jobs improve organizational and cost effectiveness, efficiency, and flexibility. Use innovative approaches in the review and evaluation of individual jobs, including key occupations for the organization and unusual or emerging lines of work. Conduct position reviews to ensure their accuracy and classification validity, and to ensure overall classification across the Census Bureau. Provide expert consultation to managers and HR partners on classification requirements, occupational series, titling, grading factor evaluation, and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) determinations. Reviews classification activities and provides advice on complex and multi-faceted issues.
What you need to qualify
Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Conducting Desk Audits; reviewing management requests for classification actions; interpreting and applying position classification standards to positions to determine the correct pay category, occupational series, title, and grade level; preparing evaluation reports; and discussing findings with management and employees. AND Specialized Experience: For the GS-13, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Providing management with insight in establishing organizational structures that are efficient, cost effective, support desired grade levels, and facilitate career development; make distinctions in the proper crediting of factor levels and ultimate allocation of grade levels to positions; provide recommendations to management on organizational design with emphasis on career development principles and practices and relate position classification to the management process and other HR programs. Education: Education cannot be substituted at this grade level. 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; religious; 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. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 07/23/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
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.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.