Job: Human Resources Specialist Recruitment and Placement Operations

Jobing Description

Human Resources Specialist Recruitment and Placement Operations
JOB SUMMARY:

Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures America's promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Visit us at www.uscis.gov.

Every day, our Human Resources Specialists perform the full range of recruitment and placement activities in support of management s goal to identify, attract, and retain a high quality and diverse workforce that is capable of accomplishing the agency s mission, advise management of recruitment options, and conduct job analyses. This position of HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT OPERATIONS) starts at a salary of $31,315.00 (GS-05 step 1), with promotion potential to $89,450.00 (GS-12 step 10). Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Management Directorate, Office of Human Capital and Training, Human Resources Operations Center, South Burlington, VT in DHS US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Who May Apply

Status Candidates which include:

* Federal employees with competitive status and reinstatement eligibles who work within the LOCAL COMMUTING AREA.
* Persons eligible under an Interchange Agreement (click here to view a list of covered agreements)
* Veterans preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing at least three consecutive years of active duty (click here for information on veterans) (VRA up to GS-11 level only)
* Persons that are applying under a Special Hiring Authority (see "Other Information" section of this announcement)
* For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here

USCIS will not pay your relocation expenses.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
This position is not considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.

Relocation expenses are authorized if you are assigned to the RAIO program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.

KEY REQUIREMENTS
* You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position
* Successfully pass a background investigation including financial disclosure
* You must pass drug screening
* Meet relevant experience and/or education requirements.
* Current Federal employees must meet Time-in-Grade requirements
* You must submit resume and supporting documentation

DUTIES:

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence, and limited complexity.

As a Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement-Operations), you will:

Perform the full range of recruitment and placement activities in support of management s goal to identify, attract, and retain a high quality and diverse workforce that is capable of accomplishing the agency s mission;

Advise management of recruitment options;

Conduct job analyses, identify quality ranking and selective placement factors.

Develop crediting plans and vacancy announcements.

Evaluate candidates, prepare certificates and referral lists, determine the appropriate placement action in conformance with applicable precedents, laws, and regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

GS-5: You will qualify at the GS-5 level if you possess one of the following:

* One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal government analyzing problems to identify significant factors, gathering pertinent data, and recognizing solutions; planning and organizing work; and communicating effectively orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Experience in substantive and relevant secretarial, clerical, or other responsible work may be qualifying as long as it provided evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Experience of general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records, or other non-specialized tasks) is not creditable. OR

You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-5 grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

GS-7: You will qualify at the GS-7 level if you possess one of the following:

* One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal government serving as a trainee in the recruitment and placement area to provide basic information on the procedural and regulatory requirements governing merit promotion and/or delegated examining processes; gathering and analyzing basic facts; evaluating candidates against clear-cut rating criteria for clerical or entry-level positions; OR

You may substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-7 level. You must have completed the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society. OR

You may also substitute successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education for the experience required at the GS-7 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. (A course of study in human resources management, or related fields, is qualifying.) Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

GS-9: You will qualify at the GS-9 level if you possess one of the following:

* One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal government serving as an advanced trainee in the recruitment and placement area to advise management on the various types of appointments and their appropriate application in both the competitive and excepted service; gathering and analyzing applicant data; developing rating factors and crediting plans for clerical positions; OR

You may substitute a Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education in a qualifying field or a J.D. or L.L.B. degree for the experience required at the GS-9 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. (A course of study in human resources management, or related fields, is qualifying.) Check with your school or university to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

GS-11: You will qualify at the GS-11 level if you possess one of the following:

* One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal government identifying whether or not an existing vacancy announcement or assessment tool is applicable to fulfill a recruitment request; selecting the appropriate staffing method; developing rating factors and crediting plans for easily understood positions and evaluating applicants against them; administering a special recruitment plan; OR
* You may substitute a doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a qualifying field for experience at the GS-11 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. (A course of study in human resources management, or related fields, is qualifying.) Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarters hours.

GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Examples include:

Conducting job analyses on a wide variety of complex positions using research, interviews, observation, and analytical techniques;

Determining the appropriate rating, ranking, and selective placement factors for vacant positions and developing/using crediting plans to assess applicants' varying degrees of job qualifications;

Providing management with a wide range of options for filling vacant positions including special appointing authorities.

Combining Experience and Education: Appropriate combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience also may be used to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-5, 7, 9 and 11 grade levels.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Friday, February 24, 2012).

Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Friday, February 24, 2012).

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated for this position based upon information reflected in your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the job specific assessment questionnaire, level of education claimed, experience, and/or training. To remain in consideration for this position, please ensure your resume covers this requirement and that your application has been successfully submitted as part of your on-line application.

Creation of this package includes completing the on-line assessment questionnaire, uploading your resume, and uploading any required supporting documents.

If you are found best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire, click here View Assessment Questions

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM s Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Veterans: Certain veterans are eligible to apply as a status candidate under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) or the Veteran's Recruitment Appointment (VRA). For more information, please click here. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

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 www.dhs.gov/careers and select benefits.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Background Investigation: 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 and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. This may include (e.g. 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.)

Special Hiring Authorities: Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people 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 and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.