Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment & Placement/Classification) at Office of the Secretary of the Interior

About the role

***THIS VACANCY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026. This position is part of the Interior Business Center (IBC), Human Resources Directorate (HRD), IBC Human Resources Directorate. The incumbent will play a key role as a Human Resources Specialist, supporting serviced clients with guidance and solutions for recruitment and placement, position classification and position management. Research, interpret and apply federal HR personnel laws, regulations, policies, and practices. Provide comprehensive and strategic recruitment and placement advisory services to serviced clients. Collaborate with hiring officials to coordinate the specific recruitment needs of the organization. Provide position classification management advisor services that typically deal with difficult, complex, and often issues controversial to position management. Review current and proposed procedures and other guidance and provide input in order to improve effectiveness of HR operations and programs. At the GS-09 level, you must meet the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes experience applying Federal Human Resources concepts, laws and regulations related to Federal Title 5 staffing procedures; processing a wide variety of personnel actions using an automated personnel/payroll system; and providing advice, guidance and training to HR assistants; OR B. 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., if related in one of the following fields: human resources, business, public administration, management, or a directly related field of study which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required by this position; OR C. A Combination of education and experience as list above. At the GS-11 level, you must meet the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes experience performing the full range of the recruitment process from initial consultation, analysis of the position, competencies required to perform the work and development of the job analysis ensuring adherence to laws and regulations applicable to Delegated Examining and Merit Promotion; conducting qualification reviews and issuing referral certificates for a wide range of positions; reviewing selections to validate eligibility requirements, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and hiring authorities; and providing advice to managers on pay flexibilities; OR B. 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., if related in one of the following fields: human resources, business, public administration, management, or a directly related field of study which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required by this position; OR C. A Combination of education and experience as list above. At the GS-12 level, you must meet the following qualification: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes experience conducting the full range of Federal staffing and placement duties to include building vacancy announcements in an automated system, developing job analyses, assessing candidate qualifications, and issuing referral lists; applying a wide range of Title 5 and excepted service staffing and placement regulations, policies, principles, and practices in order to provide guidance to managers; and providing classification support to serviced organization. At the GS-13 level, you must meet the following qualification: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes experience conducting the full range of Federal staffing and placement duties to include building vacancy announcements in an automated system, developing job analyses, assessing candidate qualifications, and issuing referral lists; interpreting and applying a wide range of advanced Title 5 and excepted service federal staffing and placement regulations, policies, principles, and practices in order to provide authoritative guidance and consultation to managers; providing advisory and consultative services regarding position classification and position management; and developing and providing solutions and recommendations for complex federal HR issues. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. This position requires that you obtain and maintain the Delegated Examining Certification. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. U.S. Citizenship is required. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation. Must obtain and maintain a favorable background investigation through Continuous Vetting throughout the duration of employment. All employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity and financial monitoring on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions. Direct Deposit of pay is required. Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt. Status candidates must meet time-in-grade (see Qualifications). Stipulations of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment may be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.