Human Resources Specialist (Recent Graduate)

About the Role

This is a Human Resources Specialist (Recent Graduate) position, with potential appointments at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade levels.

Key Responsibilities

• GS-0201-07 Duties:

• Support the delivery of human resources services to employees, supervisors, HR staff, and program offices.

• Research HR questions, gather information, and assist with recommendations consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

• Prepare and update HR documents related to personnel actions, organizational changes, policy updates, and workforce activities.

• Collect, verify, enter, and maintain personnel information in automated HR systems.

• Run reports to support workforce planning, compliance, and operational decision-making.

• Respond to customer inquiries and coordinate HR actions with internal stakeholders.

• Utilize spreadsheets, collaboration tools, dashboards, automation tools, and authorized AI-enabled tools for research, drafting, reporting, data organization, and workflow improvements.

• GS-0201-09 Duties:

• Apply federal human resources principles and Merit System Principles to support employees, supervisors, and hiring managers.

• Collaborate with hiring managers and administrative staff to support recruitment and staffing activities.

• Prepare Requests for Personnel Action (SF-52s) and process personnel actions.

• Assist with recruitment, performance management, awards, and other HR programs.

• Participate in projects to improve HR processes and customer service.

• Prepare correspondence, memoranda, reports, and other HR documents.

• Maintain personnel data using automated HR systems and spreadsheets.

• Respond to inquiries regarding HR policies, procedures, and personnel actions.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Must successfully pass a security/background investigation and drug screening.
• May be required to complete a one-year trial/probationary period.
• Selective Service registration is required.
• A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date to complete this assessment.
• Technology Usage:
• Spreadsheets
• Collaboration tools
• Dashboards
• Automation tools
• Approved AI-enabled tools (when authorized)

Qualifications

• Pathways Recent Graduate Program Eligibility:
• Have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctoral, vocational, or technical degree, certificate, or other qualifying postsecondary credential from an accredited educational institution.
• OR
• Be a preference-eligible veteran whose military service prevented them from applying during the standard eligibility period (eligibility may extend up to six years after degree completion, with documentation).
• A degree in Human Resources is not required.
• Relevant experience may be gained through:
• Coursework
• Internships
• Student employment
• Full-time or part-time work
• Military service
• Volunteer service
• Apprenticeships
• Research projects
• Leadership roles in student organizations
• Community involvement
• Other academic, professional, or life experiences.
• Grade-Specific Requirements:
• GS-07 Level:
• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level performing administrative or human resources-related work (e.g., assisting with personnel actions, staffing, document preparation, records management, customer service, data maintenance).
• OR
• Education: One full year of graduate education or Superior Academic Achievement (a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0+ overall or 3.45+ in major, or in the upper third of your class, or membership in a national honor society).
• OR
• Combination: A combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience.
• GS-09 Level:
• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level supporting recruitment, staffing, personnel administration, HR advisory services, organizational management, business operations, or related administrative work.
• OR
• Education: Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or a master's, LL.B., or J.D.
• OR
• Combination: A combination of qualifying graduate education and specialized experience.
• Key Candidate Attributes:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Sound judgment, integrity, and attention to detail
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to learn new systems, technology, policies, and procedures
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Initiative, adaptability, and a commitment to public service
• Education Verification: Submit an academic transcript showing the date of degree/certificate completion. Foreign education must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.

Additional Information

• Commitment to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, upholding the rule of law, and the United States Constitution is expected.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available, with eligibility depending on position type.
• Reasonable Accommodation requests for the USA Hire assessment will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• The Fair Chance Act prohibits requesting criminal history before a conditional offer of employment.