GS Federal Classifier - Human Resource Specialist

Actalent; Portland (OR); Remote; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent is recruiting a GS Federal Classifier for a remote contract role supporting Bonneville Power Administration. The position involves classifying federal positions, researching complex HR issues, and advising HR staff.

Work is offsite with infrequent in-person visits to BPA's Portland headquarters. The role requires strong knowledge of Title V, OPM regulations, and classification standards, with extensive experience in federal HR programs and evaluation writing.

Qualifications

• Experience with Federal position evaluation, occupational classification, and job description analysis.
• Expertise in Federal laws, regulations, and practices related to Federal HR programs.
• Technical knowledge of classification evaluation writing in OPM-acceptable style.

Responsibilities

• Conduct GS position classification research and desk audits.
• Apply GS standards to determine title, series, and grade for federal positions.
• Provide guidance to managers and staff on classification issues and organizational design.

Skills

Federal position evaluation

Research & analysis

Guidance to managers

Regulatory interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Associate degree with 12+ years experience

Degreeless with 14+ years experience

Job description

Actalent is currently seeking a qualified GS Federal Classifier for a remote contract position supporting Bonneville Power Administration.

This Human Resources Specialist assignment will provide General Schedule (GS) federal classification support to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Human Capital Management (HCM) Talent Operations Corporate and Power (HI) and Transmission (HP) organizations. As primary support to HI and HPs classifiers, duties include classifying Federal positions and conducting in-depth research of complex or novel federal human resource issues. The work of this assignment will be performed offsite, with a few infrequent visits to BPAs Headquarters in Portland, OR possible.

Responsibilities

• Conduct GS position classification research and desk audits, including reviewing position descriptions and preparing evaluation statements.
• Apply pre-determined GS position classification standards to recommend appropriate title, series, and grade for federal positions.
• Perform position management studies to identify opportunities to streamline structures and improve operational efficiency in complex organizations.
• Provide technical guidance and assistance to managers and Classification and Compensation staff to verify and maintain position classification accuracy and consistency.
• Interpret and apply position classification standards and review classification issues for major program implications.
• Advise management and staff on GS position classification and position management issues, including the impact of classification decisions on organizational design.
• Explain grade distinctions to management, providing supporting criteria and justification for grade determinations.
• Make nuanced distinctions in crediting plans and specialized experience criteria, and accurately credit factor levels to determine final grade allocations.
• Advise managers and HR staff on accepted principles and rules of judgment when analyzing complex individual position and organizational structure issues.
• Provide management with insights to establish organizational structures that are efficient, cost effective, support desired grade levels, and facilitate career development.
• Research, review, and propose responses to technical, complex, and cross-functional federal human resource questions, including federal employment and delegations of authority issues.
• Review laws, regulations, guidance, and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) classification appeal decisions to inform recommendations.
• Use established processes to document practical HR operational issues and formulate options, presenting those options to staff for review and acceptance.
• Recommend structural, organizational, and content enhancements or corrections based on research and substantive knowledge of Title V human resource programs and processes.
• Research applicable federal regulations and guidance to verify adherence in human resources practices.
• Research applicable Department of Energy (DOE) orders and policy guidance to validate their applicability and ensure compliance.
• Prepare and submit status reports as requested, clearly summarizing work progress and outcomes.
• Create, organize, and maintain filing systems, files, emails, and records in accordance with compliance requirements.
• Share and distribute documents only to personnel with a Lawful Government Purpose to know, protecting sensitive information.
• Maintain all official records in accordance with Information Security (INFOSEC) and Information Governance & Lifecycle Management (IGLM) standards and procedures.
• Validate that official records are accurately maintained and readily available for auditing purposes.

Qualifications

• A bachelors degree in human resource management, Federal classification, business administration, Business Management, (or closely related field) is highly preferred.
• 10 years of experience is required with an applicable bachelors degree.
• 12 years of experience is required with an applicable associate degree.
• 14 years of experience is required without a degree or applicable degree.
• Experience should include human resources analysis capacity, including all aspects of Federal position evaluation, occupational classification, and job description analysis.
• Expertise in Federal laws, regulations, and practices associated with Federal HR programs, specifically classification.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the concepts, principles, processes, and practices of a large and comprehensive Federal Human resources program, including staffing, classification, position management, and human capital accountability framework.
• 7 years of experience preparing GS-15 and below federal position classification and evaluation statements.
• 7 years of experience in research and interpretation of Title V, Code of Federal regulations, OPM classification appeals decision, FLSA appeals decisions, policy and guidance associated with Federal Human Resources.
• Technical knowledge of classification evaluation writing in OPM-acceptable style.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Portland, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $58.00 - $65.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Portland, OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 2, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.