Supervisory Human Resources Specialist.

National Cemetery Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

National Cemetery Administration seeks a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist to leadEmployee/Labor Relations, performance management, and reasonable accommodation initiatives.

You will advise management nationwide, ensure compliance with VA and federal regulations, and supervise division staff. This role requires strong leadership and HR program expertise, with responsibilities across the nation.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree and three years of progressive specialized experience or equivalent.
• Specialized HR knowledge and the ability to apply staffing policies and VA/OPA guidance.
• Ability to supervise and guide staff on HR programs and ensure compliance with federal standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee employee/labor relations, performance management, and reasonable accommodation programs.
• Advise management nationwide on HR policies and program implementation.
• Develop guidance and actions to improve program execution within the division.

Skills

Leadership

HR policy knowledge

Employee relations

Education

Graduate Degree in HR/Business/Public Administration

Tools

HRIS systems (HR Smart/USA Staffing)

HR Smart

USA Staffing

Job description

Duties

This position serves as a Supervisory Human Resources (HR) Specialist in the Department of Veterans Affairs) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Office of Management) Human Capital Management (HCM) Office of Workforce Relations (OWR). OWRSs mission i s to provide human resources products and services for over 155 National Cemeteries; 5 NCA District Offices, and NCA Central Offices affecting over 2,300 NCA employees. The purpose of this position is to provide oversight and management of a number of human capital management functional areas such as employee/labor relations) performance management) reasonable accommodation) and employee engagement programs. The incumbent reports to the Director) OWR.

Major Duties

This position serves as the Supervisor of Employee/Labor Relations) performance management) reasonable accommodation) and employee engagement programs. Incumbent is also an expert and advisor to all levels of management nationwide on the above programs. Promotes the establishment and achievement of the above programs objectives throughout NCA and assists management in the implementation of higher headquarters direction. Provides authoritative interpretation and instructions on laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures specific to the above programs. Incumbent plans, implements, coordinates, and reviews all major program activities conducted with in the Division to ensure that these activities are in conformance with OPM, VA, and NCA objectives and regulations. The day-to-day activities of these program areas are carried out by the HR Specialists with in the Division and are subject to the review and/or approval of the incumbent or Service Director. Develops guidance on appropriate courses of action, and monitors, evaluates, and analyzes program execution with in the Division. Recognizes problems/problem areas, originates solutions to complex or unusual issues, and provides on-site assistance as needed. Serves as a team leader or member on assistance visits or investigative panels. The labor relations program administered by the incumbent involves over 50 different bargaining units nationwide) represented by seven ( 7) different labor unions. Incumbent also supervises the implementation of all program requirements on performance management, reasonable accommodation, and employee.

Performs public outreach as needed.

Work schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (subject to change based on agency needs).

Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available

Telework: Ad-Hoc

• Remote/Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position.

Position Description Title/PD#

Supervisory Human Resources Specialist/PD1682963

Relocation Expenses

Not Authorized

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report

Not Required

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probabilistic period.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all specialized experience and time in grade requirements within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement, 09/14/2026.

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 within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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 your most recent non-award 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 non-award SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one year time-in-grade.

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.

• Must possess and maintain a REAL ID compliant valid state driver's license.

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-14 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-12 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: Serves as an authoritative advisor on staffing policies in accordance with the United States Code, Code of Federal Regulations, VA Handbooks and Directives, and related guidance. Instructs and oversees subordinate staff in the effective use of VA HRIS systems and applications (such as HR Smart and USA Staffing). Provides comprehensive administrative guidance and technical direction for federal recruitment and placement activities. Conducts audits and appraises performance of Human Resources staff to ensure compliance with all federal and VA laws and regulations. Oversees and ensures that all work assignments within the human resources section are executed accurately and in accordance with established standards. Performs a wide range of leadership functions to guarantee that organizational objectives are met efficiently.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

~OR~

Criteria 2-

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 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: Ensures that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are effectively communicated to the section and seamlessly integrated into the section's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, and deliverables. Clearly articulates and communicates assignments, projects, problems to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and program issues under review, as well as establishing deadlines and time frames for completion. Provides expert coaching to the section in the selection and application of appropriate problem‑solving methods and techniques, offers guidance on work methods, practices, and procedures, and supports the section and individual team members in identifying the parameters of viable solutions as needed. Demonstrates leadership in fostering a collaborative environment that drives performance and accountability, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accountability
• Customer Service
• Decisiveness
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving
• Resilience

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.

Note

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.

Physical Requirements:

Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office environment.

Required

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;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

PLEASE NOTE

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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:

Additional information

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.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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 The Fair Chance Act.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members

Please visit the

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the

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.

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.

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.