Human Resources Specialist - Direct Hire

To determine which grade(s) you are eligible for, review the following grade specific details.  You will be asked questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience and/or education in your resume and/or uploaded transcripts or you may be deemed ineligible. 

For the GS-07: You qualify for this grade level if you meet one of the following experience and/or education requirements.

 On Experience, at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level, which included:

• Experience providing support in a developmental role in one or more of the following HR areas and functions: staffing, recruitment, classification, position management, workforce planning, personnel record keeping, payroll, retirements, employee benefits, personnel action processing, employee relations, labor relations, performance management, awards, executive resources, HR information systems, generating HR/personnel reports, work-life programs, or policy.

On Education, you must have:

• 1 year of graduate-level education towards a master's or equivalent graduate degree, OR a Bachelors degree with Superior Academic Achievement*.
• Or, you can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

*Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. (In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.)

1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

For the GS-09: You qualify for this grade level if you meet one of the following experience and/or education requirements.

On Experience, at least one year of specialized experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, which included:

• Experience performing HR tasks and activities in one or more of the following functional areas: staffing, recruitment, classification, position management, workforce planning, personnel record keeping, payroll, retirements, employee benefits, personnel action processing, employee relations, labor relations, performance management, awards, executive resources, HR information systems, creating HR data reports, work-life programs, or policy.

On Education, you must have:

• 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.
• Or, you can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following area:

1. Customer Service - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
2. Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of one or more of the following areas: recruitment classification, benefits, labor relations, negotiation, and Federal, state, and local employment regulations.
3. Resilience - Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
4. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
5. Communications and Media - Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform via written, oral, and visual media.

For all types of consideration, 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 experience.

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.