Human Resources Specialist

About the role

This vacancy is for a GS-0201-12, Human Resources Specialist located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard in New London, CT

What you will do

• You will serve as a Human Resources Specialist and be responsible for providing the full range of staffing, position classification, and related services to assigned customers.
• Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.
• Typical work assignments include: Performing internal placement duties for serviced organizations by conducting special placement activities and providing interpretation and assistance on the Merit Promotion program to ensure compliance with internal staffing requirements.
• Performing external placement and recruitment duties for an organization(s), which typically generate complex problems due to its complex structure and/or rapid changes to its mission and/or technology.
• Providing managers and employees with information and interpretations of personnel policies, procedures and guidelines, when issues addressed require substantial interpretation, or the issues involves more than one area of personnel policy.
• Developing vacancy announcement by working with managers to explain the recruitment process, identifying sources of candidates, selecting appropriate staffing methods and identifying special qualification requirements.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationship with employees and managers.

Requirements

• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position) Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Key Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service.
• See *** A one-year probationary period may be required.
• To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy.
• To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation.
• This is not a Bargaining Unit position.
• Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
• The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.

Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).

College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration.

Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned.

If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.

To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

How you will be evaluated

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training, along with any applicable assessments, will be rated. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: *** Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

(Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation.

CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position.

If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. Individuals must be well-qualified by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.

Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website.

Documents you must provide

• Limit your resume to no more than two pages.
• The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
• Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education, & training.
• Include start & end dates (mm/yy to mm/yy) & number of hours per week worked/volunteered.
• For additional information on your resume, see How to Apply. -Your responses to any applicable assessments.
• SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50(s) that verify your eligibility for consideration as a current or former federal applicant; & Your SF-50 must verify your highest competitive grade, time-in-grade, your current promotion potential or full performance level & proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement.
• DO NOT submit an award SF-50 or pay/general adjustment SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility.
• For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing.
• Recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.
• Are you qualifying based on education?
• If yes, transcripts are required.
• See Education for additional information on required documents.
• Veterans' preference documentation (All DD-214s MUST be a signed, legible copy showing character of service and lost time, typically Member 4 or Service copy), SF-15 & VA letter, if applicable.
• NOTE: The revised Oct 2013 SF-15 is the latest copy & all others are not usable.
• Please see Feds Hire Vets for detail.
• Veterans claiming 5 point veterans' preference must submit DD214(s) as detailed above.
• 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their DD-214(s) as detailed above, & VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
• Other 10 point Preference Eligibles must submit DD-214(s) as detailed above, & provide documentation of 10 point preference described on the back of the SF-15.
• If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD214 & is claiming eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating you will be discharged/released from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date you submit your certification as part of your application for this announcement.
• See the "How to Apply" section of this announcement for information on specific requirements for VOW certifications.
• Schedule A documentation, if applicable.
• Note: CG welcomes & encourages applications from persons with disabilities.
• Qualified applicants with disabilities may be eligible for special hire, non-competitive appointment under Sched A eligibility.
• Military Spouses (if applicable) - You MUST submit verification of marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage) &: (1) a copy of your spouse's active military orders; OR (2) verification of your spouse's 100% service-connected disability (VA Letter &/or DD-214); OR (3) verification of the service member's death while on active duty (DD-1300/Death Certificate).
• You are not eligible if you were not married to the veteran at the time of death or have since remarried.
• Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
• Other noncompetitive or special appointing authorities (e.g., Peace Corps, VISTA, Public Land Corp, Military Spouse, VRA, 30% Disabled Veterans, Certain Former Overseas Employees, Foreign Service, etc.) must provide substantiating documentation as required.
• Political Appointees: OPM must authorize employment offers for former or current Political Appointees.
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Sched A, Sched C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information.
• Submit proof of your former or current status, such as your SF-50.
• CTAP & ICTAP applicants MUST submit documentation verifying your eligibility.
• This includes a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, most recent SF-50-Notification of Personnel Action noting your current position, grade level and duty location, & documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.
• View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
• Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
• NOTE: Failure to provide required documents could result in elimination of consideration.

Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.

For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

What to expect next

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process.

To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

Additional information

Due Weight Due weight will be given to performance appraisals & incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). E-Verify DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights & responsibilities.

Fair Chance Act The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security & its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment.

In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) & 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to ***.

Suitability Statement If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, & to sign & certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.

False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Shared Certificates Statement Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Special Employment Consideration The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), & or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707.

Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, & persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, & competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.

To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment & to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

If selection is made below the full performance level, the incumbent may be promoted up to the target grade without further competition, if all legal & regulatory requirements are met & when recommended by the supervisor. However, promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed & is dependent on successful performance at the lower grade level(s).

If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application & hiring process, please contact ***. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Visit Reasonable Accommodation More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, & unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.