Human Resources Specialist

This Human Resources Specialist position is with Veterans Health Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs) in Phoenix, AZ. This position is established in VHA Workforce Management and Consulting's HR Operations Office (HROO). HROO is the exclusive operational HR service provider for VHA's Central Office (VHACO). This position uniquely specializes in the retirement services discipline and is located within HROO's Retired Shared Services Office (RSSO). This position performs uniquely specialized retirement services duties and responsibilities. Key duties: • This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12. At the lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied. Provides direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies. Advises on Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP) as they relate to retirement. Provides complex retirement coverage determinations for all returning federal employees throughout the VHA. Provide death-in-service counseling to beneficiaries and stakeholders. Assists current and recently separated employees retiring with completion of the disability retirement application forms and reviews them to ensure completeness. Prepare civilian deposit reports and assist customers with the preparation of the application and submission to the Office of Personnel Management for processing. Reviews and/or drafts standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other written documents based on subject matter expertise, knowledge of existing internal procedures, and awareness of current regulatory requirements. Reviews new or amended HR retirement policies, procedures, and guidelines and provides feedback regarding possible impact on current practices. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist/PD77848-A, PD77849-A, PD77850-A, and PD77851-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level. For a GS-09 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. For a GS-11 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. For a GS-12 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/19/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-7: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate level education, or have Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.). In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree. GS-9: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 JD, if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree. GS-11: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes(1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records; and (4) Providing death-in-service counseling to beneficiaries and stakeholders. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR, have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR, I have a LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree. GS-12: For the GS-12 grade levels, candidates must possess either Criteria 1 - graduate degree and specialized experience or Criteria 2 - specialized experience to qualify for the specific grade level. At this grade level, candidates must fully meet or exceed either Criteria 1 or Criteria 2 meaning it is not appropriate to combine Criteria 1 and Criteria 2 to qualify candidates. At this grade level, applicants cannot qualify on the basis of education alone. Criteria 1 - Graduate Education and Specialized Experience: You must have a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level, which includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records. OR, Criteria 2 - Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, which includes (1) Providing direct counseling to management, employees, retirees, and family members on the Federal retirement benefit program entitlement/options and on interpretations of law, regulation, and policies; (2) Advising on various benefits programs as they relate to retirement such as Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life insurance (FEGLI), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP); and Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FEDVIP); (3) Maintaining a thorough record of inquiries, responses, and actions to include appropriately documenting Official Personnel Files and internal filing systems to ensure retention of records; (4) Providing death-in-service counseling to beneficiaries and stakeholders; and (5) Assisting current and recently separated employees retiring with completion of the disability retirement application forms. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F1; Human Resources Specialist Qualification Standards GS-0201. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.