Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment)

About the role

These are TEMPORARY, INTERMITTENT position(s) located in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of the Executive Director (DS/EX), Human Resources Management (HRM), Recruitment Unit (RECU).

This unit is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing recruitment and outreach programs that attract and recruit highly qualified candidates for Foreign Service, Civil Service, and other mission-critical positions supporting the Bureau's worldwide security and law enforcement mission.

What you will do

• Serves as a Recruitment Advisor responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing strategic recruitment outreach activities to support the Bureau's recruitment objectives for Foreign Service, Civil Service, and other mission-critical occupations.
• Represents the Bureau at virtual and in-person recruitment events, career fairs, conferences, information sessions, panel discussions, university outreach activities, and other recruitment initiatives to attract highly qualified applicant pools.
• Provides informed guidance regarding specialized occupational requirements, career paths, and workforce needs to support consistent and accurate recruitment messaging across recruitment activities.
• Advises on recruitment strategies, candidate engagement approaches, workforce trends, and outreach initiatives that support current and emerging hiring priorities.
• Analyzes recruitment metrics, workforce data, labor market information, applicant trends, and program performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of Bureau recruitment activities and outreach initiatives.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

How you will be evaluated

The evaluation process consists of the ApplyGov Competency Based Assessments for which applicants will be assigned a score between 70 and 100. A resume review will be conducted for minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, of applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates based on assessment scores.

Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

You will be assessed on the following job-related competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Non-Supervisory: Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail and Self-Management.

Set aside at least 2 hours to take the external assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. There are timed sections that must be completed within the allotted timeframe.

Your score from the external assessment (i.e., Non-supervisory) will remain on file for 180 days, allowing you to apply for multiple DOS-announced positions without needing to retake the assessments. Top applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies: Knowledge of strategic recruitment methodologies, workforce planning concepts, labor market conditions, recruitment analytics, and outreach techniques to assess trends and recommend program improvements.

Knowledge of Federal human resources (HR) management principles, policies, regulations, and staffing authorities governing Civil Service and Foreign Service recruitment. Ability to plan, coordinate, execute, and evaluate strategic recruitment programs.

Ability to advise leadership on recruitment strategies, candidate engagement, workforce trends, outreach initiatives, and recruitment processes. Skill in developing practical recommendations that improve recruitment effectiveness and support organizational hiring priorities. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific.

We do not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM's CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information.

You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration.

To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
• Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training.
• Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered.
• Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions.
• Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.
• Submit your most recent (i.e., usually within the last 18 months) final (not a mid-year review) official (i.e., signed by the rating official and in original format) annual performance appraisal.
• ICTAP/CTAP eligibility documentation (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action (ICTAP only, if available), most recent SF-50 (ICTAP or CTAP), certification of expected separation, etc.).

Benefits

In accordance with 5 CFR § 890.102 (3), employees serving in a temporary appointment not to exceed one (1) year with an intermittent work schedule (no regular work schedule), limited to a maximum of 1040 hours in an appointment period are not eligible for benefits.

What to expect next

After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants' qualifications. Then, in approximately two weeks after this announcement closes, we will refer candidates, as described in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration.

Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases: After applications are received. After applications are assessed to determine qualifications. After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.

After a selection is made. For the selected candidates who receive a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation that generally takes an average of at least two to six months.

Additional information

To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the “Request a Reasonable Accommodation” button within the Assessment Application. For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at ***.

OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement. The following applies to all RA requests: RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only. Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider.

The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review.

Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters.

Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process. Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery.

Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy. If a different type of RA is needed, please contact OAA directly at ***. If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM's CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information.

You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration.

To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.