The first 50 applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official(s) in the order in which they were received.
Additional candidates will be referred based on hiring needs.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT : To qualify for an HR Specialist position, candidates must meet the following basic requirements as described in one 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 the following specialized experience: The candidate must possess one 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.
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).
Method 3: Training-Based Method. The Training-Based Method allows for a candidate to meet the basic requirement by possession of the following: Six 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 and using various computer systems and office equipment in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions, plus the possession of one 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 four 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 and 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 and is nationally recognized by the profession.

In addition to the basic requirement, to qualify for this position at the GS-12 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-09 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 laws, executive orders, regulations, policies, concepts, and various HR policies, practices, procedures, and management controls of the recruitment and placement functions sufficient to provide comprehensive staffing and placement services;
• developing various recruitment strategies;
• advising management officials of various types of appointments;
• advising on procedural and regulatory requirements in recruitment and placement;
• developing vacancy announcements;
• using a variety of standardized internal/external recruitment strategies to aid in strategic recruitment planning; and advising on position career patterns;
• troubleshoot and resolve staffing and placement problems or issues.

~OR~

Criteria 2 - Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 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:

• conducting recruitment and placement activities from cradle to grave for variety of professional, administrative and technical positions;
• interpreting and applying qualification standards/requirements to determine applicant qualifications;
• providing technical guidance and consultation regarding rules and regulations laws, policies and procedures pertaining to recruitment and staffing and personnel actions;
• explaining recruitment and placement policies, processes, and rules to managers in developing recruitment packages including job analysis, crediting plans, and performance-based interview questions;
• troubleshooting internal and external staffing and placement issues;
• analyzing recruitment and staffing issues or problems and recommending possible approaches, alternatives, and solutions;
• utilizing USA Staffing (or other automated staffing programs) to prepare vacancy announcements and issue referrals to managers.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Communications
• Customer Service
• Recruitment/Placement
• Technical Competence

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.