Human Resources Specialist

Department of State Headquarters • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

You can make a difference in the world with a career at the Department of State! We are hiring many experienced Human Resources (HR) Specialist across the Department in various regional and functional Bureaus. If eligible, applicants will be referred to similar vacancies across the Department for an extended time period.

Duties Provides client Bureaus two more of the following Human Resource functions: staff acquisition, organization and position management, compensation management, benefits management, performance management, separation and/or information systems. Serves as a key member on teams of HR Specialists who participate in the development and evaluation of new or revised Department policies, procedures, and regulations. Initiates all requests for personnel actions for Civil Service, ensuring accurate preparations and accomplishment of purpose. Processes Civil Service and/or Foreign Service personnel actions that affect award , benefits or corrections. Reviews requests for recruitment and advises management on recruitment strategies, sources and special programs which emphasize affirmative action in staffing positions.

At the GS-09 level, the incumbent performs essentially the same duties; however, the scope and complexity of assignments are of less responsibility and independence and receives closer supervision than the GS-11 and GS-12 level.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret or higher security clearance.
• Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.
• NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.
• Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.
• Applicants applying for the GS-09 grade level must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience researching, interpreting and applying appropriate Federal laws, regulations, policies and guidelines in two or more human resources functional areas (e.g., recruitment and placement, classification, employee relations, including performance management and employee benefits). Experience responding to telephone and email inquires and referring complex HR questions Experience compiling information for reports and maintaining files. OR B. Have a master's or equivalent graduate degree, OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.B or J.D. from an accredited college or university. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position to be filled; OR C. Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience (as described above), which is equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. This experience and education together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
• Combination of Experience and Education: When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience and the percentage of graduate study must total at least 100%. Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position.
• Applicants applying for the GS-11 grade level must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience researching, interpreting and applying appropriate Federal laws, regulations, policies and guidelines in two or more human resources functional areas (e.g., recruitment and placement, classification, employee relations, including performance management and employee benefits). Experience performing clerical work using office automation to produce a variety of documents such as letters, memos, and reports. Experience assisting employees, applicants, supervisor or managers with routine human resources questions, policies or procedures. OR B. Have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. from an accredited college or university. OR C. Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience (as described above), which is equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. This experience and education together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
• Combination of Experience and Education: When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience and the percentage of graduate study must total at least 100%. Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position.
• Applicants applying for the GS-12 must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience researching, interpreting and applying appropriate Federal laws, regulations, policies and guidelines in two or more human resources functional areas (e.g., recruitment and placement, classification, employee relations, including performance management and employee benefits). Experience providing authoritative management advisory services, which includes researching, analyzing and evaluating the issues, determining applicable precedents, recommending innovative methods and strategies to resolve complex integrated human resources problems, and identifying the most effective approach. Experience drafting a variety of reports, letters, memoranda, position descriptions, position evaluation statements, and other correspondence on a full range of sensitive management issues. Experience meeting and dealing with managers and employees at all levels in situations of a highly sensitive nature.
• There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Provides client Bureaus two more of the following Human Resource functions: staff acquisition, organization and position management, compensation management, benefits management, performance management, separation and/or information systems.
• Serves as a key member on teams of HR Specialists who participate in the development and evaluation of new or revised Department policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Initiates all requests for personnel actions for Civil Service, ensuring accurate preparations and accomplishment of purpose.
• Processes Civil Service and/or Foreign Service personnel actions that affect award , benefits or corrections.
• Reviews requests for recruitment and advises management on recruitment strategies, sources and special programs which emphasize affirmative action in staffing positions.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits .
• Review our benefits
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level