Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment and Placement)

US Veterans Health Administration; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

US Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment and Placement) to join the Workforce Management and Consulting HR Operations Office. The role focuses on USA Staffing activities, vacancy announcements, and handling applicant materials for thousands of employees.

The position is full-time with in-person duties and possible ad hoc telework discussions during interview. The incumbent will support the full HR cycle, from screening to processing applicants, and

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04 in recruitment and placement.
• Assists with routine filing, records maintenance, and retrieval of personnel documents.
• Enter applicant data into automated staffing systems and maintain case files.
• Responds to routine inquiries from applicants and customers or the public.

Responsibilities

• Prepare vacancy announcements and job analyses using USA Staffing.
• Audit certificates and manage applicant materials per standards.
• Process, rate, and rank applicants.
• Provide oral and written responses to agency officials, applicants and the public.
• Perform clerical, administrative, and personnel duties as assigned.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Teamwork

Decision Making

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Four years of college education

Tools

USA Staffing

Job description

Summary

This Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment and Placement) position is established in VHA Workforce Management and Consulting's Human Resources Operations Office. HROO serves over 30,000 full-time employees. The position uniquely specializes in the Recruitment and Placement discipline of HR.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

Duties

The major duties of the HR Assistant (Recruitment and Placement) position include but are not limited to:

• Utilizes the USA Staffing program to prepare and develop vacancy announcements.
• Utilizes the USA Staffing program to prepare job analyses and benchmark reports.
• Manages application materials within the USA Staffing program in accordance with VHA DEU, Agency and OPM standards and guidelines.
• Processes, rates and ranks applicants.
• Provides oral and written responses to agency officials, applicants and the general public.
• Determines nature of calls and resolves situation or refers to appropriate individual.
• Audits certificates.
• Suggests and prepares modifications to procedures.
• Determines deviations from standard operating procedures in order to meet schedules and deadlines.
• Performs clerical, administrative and personnel duties as assigned.

Individuals selected below the full performance level (GS-07) will perform the duties outlined but will operate under closer supervision and will not be expected to demonstrate the same level of subject matter mastery.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Compressed/Flexible: May be available at supervisor's discretion.
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 is not a virtual position. This is not a remote position.
Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in‑person work five days per week unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a conditional job offer, but before a final job offer.
Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment and Placement)/PD70146-A and PD70147-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level (GS-7) 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.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre‑placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre‑employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state‑issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1‑year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/19/2026.
You may qualify for the GS‑05 Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment and Placement) based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS‑04) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
• Performs limited, clearly defined tasks in support of recruitment and placement functions, such as entering applicant data into automated staffing systems.
• Follows established step‑by‑step procedures to collect, assemble, and organize applicant materials and case files.
• Assists higher‑graded HR staff with routine filing, records maintenance, and retrieval of personnel‑related documents.
• Receives instruction and guidance in performing basic timekeeping support tasks, such as compiling time and attendance records for review.
• Confirms basic applicant eligibility information against standard checklists under supervisory review.
• Requires guidance from a supervisor or higher‑graded employee to resolve any non‑routine or unclear situations encountered in day‑to‑day tasks.

OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four years above high school.

OR,

• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education to meet the total experience requirements. For GS‑5, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

You may qualify for the GS‑06 Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment and Placement) based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS‑05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
• Applies established procedures to review vacancy announcement files and applicant documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Resolves routine discrepancies in applicant records and certificates of eligibles, referring more complex or non‑routine issues to higher‑graded staff.
• Identifies routine data entry errors in automated staffing systems (e.g., USA Staffing) and corrects them in accordance with established procedures.
• Prepares routine notification and disposition letters to applicants using standard templates and guidance.
• Supports timekeeping functions by compiling and verifying routine time and attendance data.
• Applies established guidance to respond to routine inquiries from applicants, customers, or other HR offices, escalating more involved or sensitive requests.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at the GS‑6 grade level.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly‑appointed Federal employee's credit for their job‑related non‑federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF‑50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well‑qualified for this vacancy. well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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

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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

The initial application review for this job announcement is 100 applications. The first 100 applications received will be considered first. Applications received after the initial cut‑off number (100 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. If management requests additional certificates, applicants will continue to be reviewed in groups of 100 in the order they applied.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self‑Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35‑40 hours of work per week. Part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
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; religions; 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.
During the application process you may have an option to opt‑in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service‑connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF‑50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD‑214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)License
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF‑15
• SF‑50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct‑Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career‑search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community‑based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA‑leased medical facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

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.

Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume

• Prioritize most relevant and recent experience
• Use concise, results focused language
• Align language from the job announcement
• Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies
• Remove outdated or unrelated experience
• Use the USAJOBS resume builder

Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit.

Agency contact information

VHA National Recruitment Center

Phone

[phone]

Email

[e-mail]

Address

VHA Central Office - Human Capital Management
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all