Human Resources Specialist

Department of State Headquarters•Washington, DC

14d

About The Position

The Department of State is hiring entry-level Human Resources Specialists for its Skill Enhancement and Employee Development (SEED) Program, a two-year training and development program designed to prepare HR professionals to support the Department’s workforce. Participants complete skill-building rotations in multiple HR functions and take internal and external HR-related courses, including any required assessments. During the second year, participants prepare and present a capstone project that applies learned competencies to an identified issue. Each participant is assigned a mentor. Upon successful completion of the program, participants may be reappointed to a regional or functional Bureau. Rotations may include Employee and Annuitant Services, Employee Relations, Classification, Staffing and Recruitment, Policy Administration, and Bureau Executive Office. Work may involve providing HR information and processing employee matters; supporting employee conduct, performance, and work-life programs; applying position classification standards; assisting with recruitment and onboarding; administering employment-related policies; and supporting Bureau employees and managers across a range of HR functions. Additional work includes advising management on recruitment and placement, developing job analyses and crediting plans, determining eligibility and qualifications, interpreting policy, extending offers, tracking recruitment actions, and processing personnel actions through automated systems. The specialist may also counsel employees, managers, and beneficiaries on federal benefits; review compensation matters with payroll officials; advise on performance plans, appraisals, and awards; and provide guidance on position classification, position structure, position management, and career ladders. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, are subject to random drug testing, must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, and must pass E-Verify employment verification. Situational telework may be permitted with supervisory approval if eligible. Multiple positions may be filled, and eligible applicants may be referred for similar Department positions for up to 240 days.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Subject to random drug testing.
Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
For GS-09 applicants, meet one of the stated qualification pathways: one year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to GS-07; a qualifying master's or equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D.; or a qualifying combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
Qualifying specialized experience must include experience in at least one listed HR functional area and experience relaying information to managers, supervisors, and employees and explaining HR actions.
Federal applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements, including 52 weeks at the next lower grade where applicable.
Submit college transcripts when qualifying on education or when education requirements apply.

Responsibilities

Complete skill-building rotations in HR functions, including employee and annuitant services, employee relations, classification, staffing and recruitment, policy administration, and Bureau Executive Office support.
Complete a structured training program, including HR-related courses and any required course assessments.
Prepare a capstone project during the second year and present it to management as a solution to an identified issue.
Research and advise management on recruitment and placement issues, recruitment methods, staffing alternatives, and strategies for resolving problems.
Create job analyses and crediting plans, and determine applicant eligibility and qualifications.
Research policies and guidelines and provide consultative advice.
Extend job offers verbally and in writing; explain eligibility requirements and benefit options to new employees; and track recruitment actions using electronic HR systems.
Use automated systems to process personnel actions in accordance with policies and procedures.
Provide information and counseling on employee benefits, including life insurance, health benefits, and the Thrift Savings Plan, to management, employees, and beneficiaries.
Review compensation guidance and coordinate with payroll officials to verify or correct pay as appropriate.
Advise on employee performance plans, appraisal interviews, and employee award nominations.
Advise management on position classification, including title, series, grade, position structure, position management, and career ladders.
Support Bureau employees and managers with staffing, performance management, training requests, awards, benefits, work-life programs, workforce planning, position management, employee relations, and management resources.