Human Resources Specialist

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team at the United States Attorney's Office. The selected Human Resources Specialist will be responsible for various HR functions within the Eastern District of Texas.

Typical work assignments will include, but are not limited to:

• Providing advice and assistance to management and employees on human resources related matters.
• Providing assistance to employees and management in the areas of employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement, life insurance, etc.
• Providing advice on compensation, including but not limited to, pay, premium pay, and the administration of leave.
• Preparing, reviewing and providing advice on performance work plans, including performance elements and standards.
• Running payroll reports and assisting with payroll transactions such as time and attendance, leave errors, accounting code information, etc.
• Determining recruitment strategies and posting job announcements.
• Reviewing applications and applying qualification standards.
• Advising on issues involving employee relations.

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for specific details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.

To qualify for the position of Human Resources Specialist, at GS-0201-9/11, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.

GS-9: To be eligible for the GS-9, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions: Specialized experience, education, OR a combination of education and experience.

Specialized Experience: To be qualified at the GS-09 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as advising managers on Human Resources matters; resolving moderately complex, recurring Human Resources issues; and interpreting regulatory material to present findings, training, or recommendations; providing assistance to managers and employees on Human Resources laws and regulations related to one of the following functional areas: recruitment and placement, position classification, employee relations and performance management, employee benefits, and pay/compensation. Examples of specialized experience include providing technical assistance to employees and management in a variety of staffing and recruitment services; reviewing position descriptions; coding and processing a variety of personnel actions; assisting in administering guidance on pay and leave; employee benefits; retirement and other human resources functional areas.

Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Human Resources): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Combining Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience as described in A and graduate-level education as described in B which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours that exceed 18 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation.)

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions: Specialized experience, education, OR a combination of education and experience.

Specialized Experience: To be qualified at the GS-11 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as providing comprehensive management advisory and technical services on Human Resources laws and regulations; applying problem solving methods and techniques in a variety of Human Resources issues; interpreting regulatory material to present findings, training or recommendations related to one or more of the following functional areas: recruitment and placement, position classification, employee relations and performance management, employee benefits, and pay/compensation. Examples of specialized experience include: advising management on recruitment methods and strategies; generating vacancy announcements; issuing certificates/lists of qualified candidates; issuing referral lists, applying classification principles to review position descriptions; coding and processing a variety of personnel action; reviewing award justifications for appropriateness and compliance with applicable guidelines; administering guidance on pay and leave; providing advice regarding employee benefits and retirement and conducting research to solve complex human resources situations.

Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Human Resources): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (such as an LL.M, if related); OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Combining Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience as described in A and graduate education as described in B which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. Only graduate education in excess of 2 full years is creditable. To calculate your percentage of education, first determine the total number of hours that exceed 36 semester hours or your school's definition of two full years of study. Then divide the total number of your excess semester hours by 18 or your school's definition of one year of study. To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. For example, if you have 9 months of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9, then you would have 75% of the required experience. If you also have 45 semester hours of creditable graduate level education, then 45-36=9 semester hours. 9 divided by 18 is 50% of the required education, and therefore, 75% + 50% = 125%. You would qualify for this position.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/