Human Resources Specialist

Summary

Join our team and help shape the policies and programs that support NIH's world-class scientific and administrative workforce. We are seeking HR professionals with expertise in recruitment, compensation, classification, and policy under Title 5 and Title 42 authorities. Our work ensures fair, consistent, compliant, and innovative human capital practices that enable NIH to recruit, retain, and support exceptional talent.

Duties

This announcement will be used to fill several Human Resources vacancies within the following offices: Client Services Division (CSD), Compensation and Policy Division (CPD) and other divisions within OHR. The Client Services Division (CSD) serves as the primary provider of human resources operational services for the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). As a HR Specialist in CSD, you will work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment providing expert consultation, technical guidance, and comprehensive HR services across the employee lifecycle. This includes strategic recruitment, staffing, delegated examining, position classification, and Commissioned Corps human resources. HR Specialists partner with NIH managers, supervisors, employees, and colleagues across the Office of Human Resources (OHR) to deliver responsive, customer-focused human capital solutions that support NIH's mission. The Compensation and Policy Division (CPD) serves as NIH's center of expertise for compensation, position management, and human resources policy. As an HR Specialist in CPD, you will provide expert consultation and authoritative guidance on complex position management, compensation, and policy issues affecting a diverse scientific and administrative workforce. Working collaboratively with NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs), you will interpret Federal HR laws and regulations, develop innovative solutions to challenging workforce issues, and help shape policies that ensure equitable, compliant, and mission-focused human capital practices across the NIH.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-11 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: providing advice and guidance to managers and employees on recruitment and placement processes; utilizing automated human resources staffing systems to perform recruitment functions, including reviewing, rating, and ranking applications; preparing job opportunity announcements and qualification determinations; applying Federal staffing laws, regulations, and policies to recruitment actions; classifying positions into occupations based on their duties and responsibilities; and assisting managers with filling vacant positions and resolving routine staffing and classification issues.; OR B. Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related; OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that meets the qualification requirements for this position. You qualify at the GS-12 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: serving as a human resources consultant and advisor to management officials on recruitment, staffing, classification, and compensation matters; advising on and applying pay-setting authorities, compensation flexibilities, and monetary and non-monetary incentives; conducting position classification and position management reviews to determine appropriate occupational series, title, and grade levels; developing job analyses, assessment strategies, and specialized experience statements; evaluating recruitment metrics and workforce data to identify trends and recommend process improvements; and interpreting and applying Federal human resources laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to resolve complex staffing and classification issues. You qualify at the GS-13 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: Independently determining applicant eligibility and qualifications for Federal positions by applying OPM qualification standards, selective placement factors, and Federal staffing regulations, and serving as the final authority on qualification determinations. Making final veterans' preference determinations and adjudicating eligibility for appointment, referral, and selection actions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and OPM guidance. Reviewing, certifying, and issuing certificates of eligibles and referral lists, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance of recruitment actions prior to release to selecting officials. Reviewing and approving personnel actions and supporting documentation for accuracy, legal sufficiency, and compliance with Federal human resources laws, regulations, policies, and procedures prior to processing. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13005693

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. 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: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below, and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied. · Qualified · Well Qualified · Best Qualified Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

How to apply This announcement accepts applications during the open period of 07/23/2026 through 07/27/2026; unless the applicant cut-off (500 applications) is reached. This announcement will close at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on 07/27/2026, or on the day the 500th application is received, whichever comes first. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the closing day of the announcement to receive consideration. Early submission of your application is highly encouraged. Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete and submit all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click Apply Online button. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. See the "Required Documents" section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required. Read all Eligibility questions and respond accordingly to any Eligibility you wish to claim. You will only be considered for those Eligibility questions (Veteran, Schedule A, etc.) you respond in the affirmative to, regardless of what documentation you submit. We cannot assume you intended to respond differently to a question based on other information in your application package. Complete the application questionnaire. Applicants are asked all questions regardless of their consideration preferences. We will only consider you for the grades, series, locations, specialties, and other considerations that you self-identify as being qualified for or interested in. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13005693 After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about 2 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Verify all required documentation is included in your application package, review your responses to the application questionnaire for accuracy, and then submit your application. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. In addition to the required documents, we encourage you to submit a cover letter, copy of your transcripts, and any applicable certifications or licenses. Even though this information is not required at the time of application, we may request this information later. We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For technical difficulties, contact HR Systems Support between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday at hrss@nih.gov. For reasonable accommodations not related to USA Hire, please contact Julie Vazquez at vazquezje@mail.nih.gov . Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made before the announcement closing date. Visit our site for information on NIH's EEO program, Reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the operation of the EEO complaint process.

Other information This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave. Military Spouses selected from this announcement will remain in their current duty location (i.e., the official duty station of the military service member At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework compressed schedules, flexible schedules. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration. Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process. 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 here: Reasonable Accommodation Information. Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).