Human Resources Specialist (Classification)

Veterans Health Administration; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States is seeking a Human Resources Specialist with a focus on position classification.

The role involves applying classification standards, developing position descriptions, and interpreting HR policies to support VHACO via the Classification Shared Service Unit. The successful candidate will have graduate-level education or equivalent specialized experience, and meet time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree or higher required or equivalent experience.
• Specialized HR knowledge in classification and position management.
• Ability to interpret classification standards and HR policies.

Skills

Classification concepts

Position management

Policy interpretation

Effective communication

Education

Graduate degree or higher

Job description

This position is established in VHA Workforce Management and Consulting's Human Resources Operations Office. HROO is the exclusive operational HR service provider for VHA's Central Office (VHACO). This position uniquely specializes in the position classification discipline, and accordingly is located within HROO's Classification Shared Service Unit.

To qualify for this position

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026.

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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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.

The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above.

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria

Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes:

• classifying positions and developing detailed and complete position descriptions and functional statements
• experience interpreting and applying classification law, theories, principles, and practices
• interpreting classification standards and other Human Resource policies as it relates to position management and classification
• utilizing communicative techniques to meet and deal tactfully and persuasively with others to resolve issues
• working with organizational proposals that involve analysis of organizations

~OR~Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes:

• advanced knowledge of classification and position management concepts, principles, laws, practices, policies and regulations to conduct broad and comprehensive studies of classification issues and to complete position classification determinations at all grade levels
• making recommendations on difficult position classification or position management requests
• recommending position and organizational design
• reviewing classification advisory/appeal packages for major program implications

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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/.