Human Resources Specialist

EPA

$75K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 1 year of specialized experience at GS-12 level in HR policies related to workforce planning and management.
  • Strong competencies in Human Capital Management and Workforce Planning.
  • Leadership experience in advising organizations on strategic HR initiatives.
  • Critical attention to detail in HR information systems and reporting.
  • Effective written communication skills, especially in policy guidance.

Responsibilities

  • Advise leadership on aligning talent with mission goals and improving efficiency.
  • Liaise with Talent Acquisition Division to enhance HR communication and compliance.
  • Research complex HR issues to provide accurate policy guidance and reports.
  • Lead HR improvements to modernize operations and enhance customer experience.
  • Support management with data-driven decision-making related to HR practices.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package, including health and life insurance.
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays.
  • Retirement plan through the Federal Employees Retirement System.
  • Options for situational telework as approved by supervisors.
  • Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is in Region 10, Mission Support Division, Human Resources Branch. About Region 10: Region 10.

This is an office-centered positionyou must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).

Duties

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You will:

  • Advise leadership and managers on human capital strategy and workforce planning to align talent with mission needs, close skill gaps, ensure compliant practices, and improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Liaise between management and the Talent Acquisition Division to enhance timeliness, quality, and communication, ensure accurate and compliant reporting, and support data-driven decision-making.
  • Research and analyze complex HR issues and provide policy guidance, interpretations, reports, and briefings to management and stakeholders to resolve problems, ensure compliant and consistent implementation, and inform sound decisions.
  • Lead and recommend HR service improvements to modernize and standardize HR operations, improve efficiency and customer experience, and align with broader organizational priorities.


One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

#LI-Onsite

You must be a U.S. citizen.

You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period if appointed as Competitive Service or a two-year trial period if appointed as Excepted Service.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.

Qualifications

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as interpreting and applying human resources (HR) policies and procedures related to workforce planning, human capital management, staffing, performance management, recognition management, and/or training.

You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:

  • Human Capital Management *
  • Leadership
  • Workforce Planning
  • Attention to Detail
  • HR Information Systems *
  • Written Communication *
  • Technical Knowledge (Related to Position)
  • Partnering


*You will be evaluated on these critical competencies.

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.

*If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience.

Additional information

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.

Although the Service type indicated in the Overview section is Competitive, you may be appointed as Excepted Service based on your eligibility to be hired under certain appointing authorities.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP

NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or highersee the How You Will Be Evaluated section).

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.

If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis.

NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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.

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