Human Resources Specialist (Recent Graduate)

Offices, Boards and Divisions•Washington, DC

About The Position

The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, is hiring a Human Resources Specialist through the Pathways Recent Graduate Program at the GS-0201-07/09 levels. Applicants do not need a degree in human resources. Selected candidates receive formal training, structured on-the-job learning, mentoring from experienced HR professionals, and ongoing professional development while building a career in federal human resources. At the GS-07 level, the role supports HR service delivery, researches HR questions, prepares and maintains HR documents, updates personnel data in automated systems, runs workforce reports, responds to customer inquiries, coordinates HR actions, and uses approved digital tools to support research, drafting, reporting, data organization, and workflow improvements. At the GS-09 level, the role applies federal HR principles and Merit System Principles; supports recruitment and staffing; prepares and processes personnel actions, including SF-52s; assists with performance management, awards, and other HR programs; contributes to process-improvement projects; prepares HR correspondence and reports; maintains personnel data; and responds to policy and personnel-action inquiries. Applicants must meet the Pathways Recent Graduate eligibility criteria and the minimum qualifications for the grade level sought. Generally, qualifying education or credentials must have been completed within the previous two years, with an extension of up to six years for certain preference-eligible veterans whose military service prevented timely application. Candidates must meet the applicable specialized experience, education, or combination requirements by the announcement closing date of 10/30/2026.

Requirements

Must be a United States Citizen or National.
Must successfully pass a security/background investigation and drug screening.
May be required to complete a one-year probationary period or trial period, as applicable.
Selective Service registration is required for applicable applicants.
Must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
Must complete a USA Hire assessment; the posting states applicants have 48 hours from the announcement closing date to complete it after receiving the assessment information.
Must meet Pathways Recent Graduate eligibility: generally, have completed a qualifying postsecondary degree, certificate, or credential within the previous two years, or qualify for the veteran extension of up to six years and submit a DD-214 documenting qualifying military service.
Must meet the minimum qualifications for the grade level sought by the announcement closing date, 10/30/2026.
GS-07 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 performing administrative or HR-related support work; or one full year of graduate education; or a bachelor's degree meeting one of the stated Superior Academic Achievement criteria; or a combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience.
GS-09 qualification: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 supporting recruitment, staffing, personnel administration, HR advisory services, organizational management, business operations, or related administrative work; or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or a master's, LL.B., or J.D.; or a combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience.
Resume must clearly demonstrate how the applicant meets the qualification requirements and support assessment questionnaire responses.
Must submit an academic transcript showing the date the qualifying academic requirements were completed.
Foreign education used to qualify must be shown to be equivalent to U.S. education; applicants qualifying on foreign education must submit credential evaluation evidence, in English or with an English translation.
Strong candidates typically demonstrate strong written and verbal communication; sound judgment, integrity, and attention to detail; customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to learn systems, technology, policies, and procedures; critical thinking and problem-solving; initiative, adaptability, and commitment to public service.
Candidates should be committed to improving federal government efficiency, the ideals of the American republic, the rule of law, and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

Support delivery of human resources services to employees, supervisors, HR staff, and program offices.
Research HR questions, gather information, and assist with recommendations consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Prepare and update HR documents relating to personnel actions, organizational changes, policy updates, and workforce activities.
Collect, verify, enter, and maintain personnel information in automated HR systems.
Run reports to support workforce planning, compliance, and operational decision-making.
Respond to customer inquiries and coordinate HR actions with internal stakeholders.
Use spreadsheets, collaboration tools, dashboards, automation tools, and approved AI-enabled tools, when authorized, to support research, drafting, reporting, data organization, and workflow improvements.
Apply federal human resources principles and Merit System Principles to support employees, supervisors, and hiring managers.
Collaborate with hiring managers and administrative staff to support recruitment and staffing activities.
Prepare Requests for Personnel Action (SF-52s) and process personnel actions.
Assist with recruitment, performance management, awards, and other HR programs.
Participate in projects to improve HR processes and customer service.
Prepare correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other HR documents.
Maintain personnel data using automated HR systems and spreadsheets.
Respond to inquiries regarding HR policies, procedures, and personnel actions.