Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits) - HR Navigator

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), also called an HR Navigator, supports a VA Medical Center by providing in-person onboarding assistance, employee HR support, benefits education, and HR systems processing. The position supports the local strategic unit and serves staff, managers, and leadership at an on-site facility. It helps ensure timely hiring, accurate HR data, regulatory compliance, workforce readiness, benefits enrollment education, and positive employee experiences.

The HR Navigator serves as a centralized onboarding and workforce navigation resource within the Veterans Health Administration, provides Tier 1 HR support to current employees, and delivers assistant-level support across benefits and leave programs. The role coordinates selectees from tentative job offer through Entry on Duty, helps employees navigate HR services and benefit programs, and uses HR systems to process actions and maintain compliant records. The work is performed in person and cannot be fully performed remotely because it relies on physical processes, in-person coordination, and direct customer interaction.

The position follows Monday–Friday administrative hours, to be discussed during interviews. Ad-hoc telework may be authorized; eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. The position is not virtual. Promotion to the full performance level may be possible without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion. Relocation and recruitment incentives, critical skills incentive, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Applicants must meet the applicable GS-05 or GS-06 qualification requirements by the announcement closing date of 10/19/2026.
• GS-05 applicants need one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, qualifying education, or a qualifying combination of education and experience. Specialized experience may include collecting documents or reviewing forms, customer service, using automated systems, supporting payroll or administrative processes, and preparing correspondence or arranging follow-up.
• For GS-05 education qualification, applicants may have completed a full four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in a qualifying field; transcripts are required when qualifying based on education.
• GS-05 applicants qualifying through a combination of education and experience must have a combination beyond the first two years of education and specialized experience.
• GS-06 applicants need one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including experience such as reviewing personnel documents, identifying discrepancies, providing benefits guidance, conducting benefits enrollment, supporting HR customers, tracking tickets, and using automated systems to upload documents, maintain data integrity, and process actions.
• There is no educational substitution at the GS-06 level.
• Applicants using education to qualify must provide transcripts; only education from recognized accredited institutions is creditable, and foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.
• Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and must complete the online onboarding process and applicable pre-employment requirements.
• Acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements; beginning May 7, 2025, non-REAL-ID-compliant driver's licenses or state IDs cannot be used as acceptable employment identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• The position requires a one-year probationary period.
• Regular and recurring physical activity is required, including walking throughout the facility, escorting candidates and employees, standing for extended periods, and navigating between offices and service points.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for selectees from tentative job offer through Entry on Duty.
• Coordinate pre-employment steps and assist new hires with required forms, pre-hire checks, scheduling, and communications.
• Monitor onboarding progress, identify delays, and help ensure requirements are completed on time.
• Support pre-employment requirements such as background checks, fingerprinting, physical exams, drug testing, and driving record reviews.
• Conduct new employee in-processing and prepare first-day documentation.
• Provide on-site HR customer support through walk-in, phone, email, and ticketing systems.
• Assist employees with pay processes, payroll briefings, tax withholding, and direct deposit.
• Review employee records, identify discrepancies, gather information for resolution, and assist with HR-related questions and processes.
• Resolve routine HR inquiries and refer complex issues to HR Specialists or appropriate resources.
• Submit and track payroll service requests and troubleshooting tickets.
• Explain federal benefit programs and provide individualized guidance on health, life, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings plans, childcare assistance, and transit benefits.
• Conduct new-hire benefits enrollment, review forms for accuracy, and upload required documentation.
• Support Open Season communications and enrollment activities, and assist with benefit changes related to qualifying life events.
• Upload and verify documentation in HR systems and the electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF).
• Use HR systems to submit tickets, process benefits updates, and maintain accurate HR data and compliant records.
• Escort candidates and employees to locations throughout the facility and coordinate in-person onboarding activities.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the annual leave accrual rate; approval is required and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed