Lead Human Resources Specialist

DutiesSummary

The ideal candidate has experience training personnel in the use of automated Human Resources systems, (e.g. EmpowHR and FedHR), resolving Suspense Inquiry (SINQ) errors, processing personnel actions corrections and resolving complex system issues. This position starts at a salary of $72,750 (GS-11), Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Human Resources Operations team within FEMA.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.



Responsibilities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

When disaster strikes, America looks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Now FEMA looks to you. Join our team and use your talent to support Americans in their times of greatest need. FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages Federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. We foster innovation, reward performance and creativity, and provide challenges on a routine basis with a well-skilled, knowledgeable, high performance workforce. Please visit www.fema.gov for additional information.

EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT: Every FEMA employee has regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires routine deployment to disaster sites. All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.

In this position, you will serve as a lead providing human resources services, technical advice, guidance, and assistance to managers. Typical assignments include:

• Providing advice, assistance, and guidance to customers, supervisors and managers on human resources problems and issues
• Participating in the development of corrective guidelines, procedures, techniques and controls in order to maintain a fully functioning EmPowHR.
• Resolving technical problems or cases that deal with recurring or routine problems and issues including within EmpowHR and National Finance Center (NFC).
• Identifying distributing, and balancing workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, skill level, and/or occupational specialization.
• Preparing reports and maintaining the records of work accomplishments and administrative information.
• Ensuring that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.
Travel Required

Occasional travel - This position may require non-emergency travel (5%)

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

11

• Job family (Series)

  0201 Human Resources Management

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  • Human Resources Specialists
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• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • Selective Service registration required.
  • Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
  • Please review "Other Information" section for additional key requirements.

  To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo, successfully pass, and maintain a background investigation for Public Trust/Moderate Risk as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check after initial job qualifications are determined, a review of financial issues, such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs (please visit: Mythbuster on Federal Hiring Policies for additional information). For more information on background investigations for Federal jobs please visit OPM Investigations.

  Please ensure you meet the qualification requirements described below.
  

  Qualifications

  Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
  
  The qualification requirements listed below must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
  

  You qualify for this position at the GS-11 level (starting salary $72,750) if you possess the following: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09) in the Federal Service. This experience may have been gained in the federal government, a state or local government, a non-profit organization, the private sector, or as a volunteer; however, your resume must clearly describe at least one year of specialized experience. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:

  • Troubleshooting EmpowHR and National Finance Center (NFC) data conflicts
  • Providing technical assistance to specialist and assistants on recurring errors on processing actions
  • Quality reviewing actions proceed by others
  • Assisting in developing guidance and procedures for EmpowHR

  OR

  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

  OR
  Combination of education and experience. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

  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.

  NOTE: Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. For a brief video on How to Create a Federal Resume, click here.
  
  Current or former FEMA Reservists/DAE employees: To accurately credit your experience for these intermittent positions, make sure to list the dates (from MM/YY to MM/YY) of each deployment, along with the job title and specific duties you were responsible for during each deployment. Failure to provide this information may result in disqualification.
  
  The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

  Education

  NOTE: If you are qualifying based on education and/or are selected for a position which requires a college degree to meet minimum qualification requirements, you will be required to submit your official college transcript(s) at time of selection.

  Additional information
  • If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
  • DHS uses E-verify, an internet based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
  • The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
  • This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
  • All candidates must be able to deploy with little or no advance notice to anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period of time.
  • A one year probationary period is required for new Federal competitive service employees and new supervisors and managers.
  • If selected for this position, and you have not previously completed these requirements, you are subject to (1) completion of a 2 day onboarding program at your primary duty location; and, (2) completion of a subsequent, multiple day orientation program within 90-120 days of hire, at a location to be determined. Travel associated with the orientation portion of this requirement may be at FEMA’s expense.
  • This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.
  • Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).
  • Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
  
  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies needed to perform this job:

  • Technical Proficiency
  • Communication
  • Customer Service
  • Teamwork and Cooperation

  If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

  We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.
  
  Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran’s preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.)

  Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP/CTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP/CTAP eligibility on OPM’s Career Transition Resources website. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (see “Required Documents” section of this announcement). Well-Qualified is defined as those applicants who are rated with a minimum score of 85.00 for this position.

  Interview Requirement: Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

  
  
  To preview questions please click here.
  
  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Not Required

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Moderate Risk (MR)

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents
  • Resume.
  • Responses to the job questionnaire. You will be directed to the online job questionnaire once you begin the application process.
  • Current/former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.(see Note 1).
  • Current/former FEMA Stafford Act employee who has served continuously for three or more years since August 1, 2014, and eligible for consideration*? Submit copy of your applicable SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing your employment in a Stafford Act position on or after August 1, 2014 (see Note 1). If you are selected for this position, your records will be reviewed to verify you meet the three continuous years of service requirement prior to appointment.
  • Current FEMA Stafford Act employee with competitive status*? Submit copy of your applicable SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing you have previously served in a permanent or conditional competitive service position. You may meet this requirement if your applicable SF-50 shows the following and you meet reinstatement eligibility requirements contained in 5 C.F.R. 315.401:
  • Block 24 (Tenure). Code is either “1”- Permanent, or “2” - Conditional; and,
  • Block 34 (Position Occupied). Code is “1” – Competitive Service
  • See note in “How to Apply” for action required by current/former FEMA Stafford Act employees to successfully apply to this this position.
  • Current or former Land/Base Management Agency employee eligible for consideration under the Land/Base Management Hiring Path? NOTE: If selected for this position, you will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your eligibility for Land/Base Management consideration. Validation of your eligibility will be conducted prior to appointment.
  • Qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
    
  • Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) and/or documentation of service connected disability. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans’ information.
  • Claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? Submit copies of your:
  • Agency Notice
  • Most recent performance rating, and
  • Most recent SF-50, Notification of personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level and duty location.

  • Boren Awardee? Submit a copy of your National Security Education Program (NSEP) certification letter.

  • You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and or incentive awards.

  • Current/former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

  • Position title
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
  • Agency
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment

  Note 1: Examples of applicable SF-50's for submission include appointment, promotion, and with-in-grade/range increases – award SF-50’s will not be accepted.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  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.

  DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits.” Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

  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.

• Individuals with disabilities
• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Land & base management

  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

• Military spouses
• Family of overseas employees

  Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is, or was, working overseas.

• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities

  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

• Veterans

This job is open to: Status Candidates; DRRA Eligibles; Former Overseas Employees; CTAP; ICTAP; VRA; VEOA; 30% or More Disabled veterans; Schedule A; Military Spouses; Peace Corps; Americorps; Vista; Land/Base Management; Boren Awardees; and, Interchange Agreement Eligibles.