Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement) (P) (DIRECT HIRE)

This position is established to provide the full range of human resources management services in the areas of recruitment, placement, merit promotion, employee development, and a variety of employee services functions for all Academy divisions, departments, and offices. The Human Resources Specialist: Performs full-cycle recruitment and placement for competitive and excepted service positions (GS, WG, and Administratively Determined), including conducting job analyses, developing assessment tools, preparing job opportunity announcements, applying qualification standards, issuing certificates, setting pay, and extending job offers in accordance with federal regulations. Provides expert advisory services to management officials on recruitment strategies, hiring authorities, merit promotion procedures, veterans' preference, and complex staffing issues to ensure legally sound and mission-aligned hiring decisions. Interprets and applies federal civilian personnel laws, OPM regulations, and agency policies to review and process personnel actions such as promotions, reassignments, within-grade increases, pay adjustments, and data element changes, ensuring proper coding and compliance. Researches and resolves complex staffing and compensation issues, collaborating with HR leadership and stakeholders to develop recommendations and ensure consistency in policy interpretation and application. Monitors recruitment metrics and workforce trends, identifies staffing gaps, and recommends process improvements and strategic recruitment solutions to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and overall program performance. The ideal candidate for this position is a knowledgeable Human Resources professional with experience independently managing full-cycle federal recruitment and placement actions for competitive and excepted service positions, including GS, WG, and Administratively Determined positions. They possess demonstrated expertise in conducting job analyses, developing assessments, applying qualification standards, adjudicating veterans' preference, setting pay, and ensuring compliance with merit system principles, OPM regulations, and agency policy. The candidate provides sound advisory services to managers on recruitment strategies and complex staffing issues, exercises strong analytical judgment in reviewing personnel actions for legal sufficiency and proper coding, and delivers timely, customer-focused HR support aligned with organizational mission needs. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience applying staffing and placement concepts, laws, and regulatory flexibilities to execute merit promotion procedures, conduct job analyses, and develop assessment criteria. Experience reviewing, processing, and auditing civilian personnel actions (e.g., promotions, reassignments, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments) to ensure legal authority coding and compliance with federal pay/benefit laws. Experience drafting, evaluating, and recommending organizational HR policy guidance, staff papers, and procedural directives for management review; planning, implementing, and evaluating employee training programs across workforce categories, analyzing position management and turnover trends to support short- and long-range staffing plans, and advising employees and supervisors on performance management, awards, leave, and benefit programs. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience conducting full-cycle recruitment and placement for competitive and excepted service positions including performing job analyses, developing assessment criteria, preparing job opportunity announcements, applying qualification standards, issuing certificates, adjudicating veterans' preference, setting pay, and extending job offers in compliance with merit system principles and regulations. Experience providing advisory services to selecting officials and management on recruitment strategies, hiring authorities, and staffing issues; interpreted and applied civilian personnel laws, OPM regulations, and agency policies to ensure legally sufficient and procedurally sound hiring actions. Experience reviewing and processing personnel actions (e.g., promotions, reassignments, within-grade increases, pay adjustments, and data element changes), ensuring proper legal authority coding and regulatory compliance; researched and resolved staffing and pay issues to support mission requirements. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Technical Knowledge: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Program Knowledge: Knowledge of the organization's mission, function, workforce structure, and internal policies sufficient to support program goals. Oral and Written Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations listening effectively and clarifies information as needed. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. For all types of consideration, 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).