About this role
Job SummaryThis position is established in VHA Workforce Management and Consulting's Human Resources Operations Office. HROO is the exclusive operational HR service provider for VHA's Central Office (VHACO). This position uniquely specializes in the position classification discipline, and accordingly is located within HROO's Classification Shared Service Unit.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/15/2026. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above. 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: Applicants may substitute a combination of education and experience with a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Examples of specialized experience at this level would typically include, but are not limited to: Classifying positions and developing detailed and complete position descriptions and functional statements; Experience interpreting and applying classification law, theories, principles, and practices; interpreting classification standards and other Human Resource policies as it relates to position management and classification; Working with organizational proposals that involve analysis of organizations. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) ~OR~ Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience at this level would typically include, but are not limited to: Providing classification support to HR offices; researching and analyzing documentation to support classification actions; developing methodologies to aid in understanding the organization's needs and goals for a position; writing position descriptions and detailed evaluation reports; classifying high grade or politically sensitive positions; conducting desk audits, and responding to requests for explanation or clarification of decisions. To qualify for this position at the GS-13 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-11 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: Providing classification support to HR offices; researching and analyzing documentation to support classification actions; developing methodologies to aid in understanding the organization's needs and goals for a position; writing position descriptions and detailed evaluation reports; classifying high grade or politically sensitive positions; conducting desk audits, and responding to requests for explanation or clarification of decisions. ~OR~ Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 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: serving as an expert level consultant in classification and position management; reviewing position descriptions and classifying positions using the applicable classification standards; providing advice on the development of Title 38 Functional Statements; conducting position management assessments and making recommendations on position and organizational design; analyzing classification appeals and writing decisions. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Major DutiesThis position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-13. At the lower grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied. Your duties may include, but are not limited to: Classifying complex, rare, or unusual jobs and preparing necessary documentation. Providing in-depth position classification and position management support to human resources offices. Providing technical advisory classifications. Classifying and evaluating Functional Statements for high grade or politically sensitive jobs. Conducting on-site or telephonic desk audits, preparing comprehensive written evaluation statements, and processing all relevant documentation. Providing authoritative technical assistance and solutions to problems referred by other specialists. Responding to requests for explanations or clarifications of decisions by operating officials, employees or employee representatives. Writing position descriptions and evaluation reports, some of which require cross reference to multiple classification standards. Conducting classification and position management studies and presenting findings and recommendations in writing. Analyzing appeals and writing decisions. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Available at supervisor's discretion Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (Classification)/PD49927-A and PD14141-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Applicant Count: This job announcement will remain open until 10/15/2026. Completed applications (USA Hire Assessment Complete) received up to 11:59pm EST on the date in which 50 applications is reached will receive first consideration (initial cutoff). Applications received after 11:59pm EST on the date in which 50 applications are received may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.