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Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment & Placement)

Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Office of Human Capital

Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Organizational Location: These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Human Capital (OHC), Human Resources Operations Center (HROC), Staffing Unit in either Irving, Texas; Washington, District of Columbia.

These are non-bargaining unit positions.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
08/11/2025 to 09/30/2025
Salary
$54,313 to - $109,975 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Irving, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
OHC-12765327-MP-MKT
Control number
842818900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees in the competitive service who hold or previously held a non-temporary career or career-conditional appointment; Persons eligible for reinstatement, for non-competitive appointment, under an Interchange Agreement, Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)/Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), or under the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).

Duties

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This announcement closes on09/30/2025 for receipt of applications. Due to high volume of applicants, the first 50 applicants will receive first consideration. Additional applicants, beyond the first 50, may be considered, upon management's request.

The incumbent must be a customer service professional who can work in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. Things happen quickly and continuously in this position, and the incumbent will find the need to move from one task to another without much time in between or juggling multiple duties at the same time.

This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Human Capital (OHC), Human Resources Operations Center (HROC), Staffing Unit. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Human Resources (HR) Specialist (Recruitment & Placement) and serves as a member of a team with assigned responsibility for providing the full range of recruitment and staffing services. Provides guidance and assistance to employees, managers and supervisors on the HR Recruitment & Placement actions, procedures, and requirements. As a Human Resources Specialist, at the full performance level, you will perform the following duties:

  • Provide technical advice and assistance in recruitment and placement activities, which includes reviewing position descriptions, conducting job analysis, developing vacancy announcements, performing applicant reviews to determine basic qualifications and eligibilities, adjudicating veterans' preference, preparing selection certificates, setting pay for various positions, validating selections prior to extending job offers and processing personnel actions for a wide variety of external or internal recruitment actions;
  • Explain regulations, procedures, and determinations to inquiring employees, candidates, and supervisors;
  • Perform analysis of a variety of facts and issues, research complex problems or complaints, identifying the cause of problems or complaints, and initiate action to resolve;
  • Provide technical recruitment and placement advisory services to hiring managers and supervisors on use of various hiring strategies to attract and place highly qualified candidates, e.g. Delegating Examining, Merit Promotion, Temporary Promotions, Reassignment, Pathways Intern Programs, Veteran's Employment Programs, and other Special Hiring Authorities to include Non-Competitive Hiring Authorities;
  • Deliver high level customer service and responds to actions in a timely manner and in accordance with hiring procedures and timelines;
  • Serve as a team member on special assignments/projects;
  • Conduct formal and informal training to internal OHC staff, hiring managers and customers on recruitment and placement processes, procedures, and requirements.
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), and/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, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and 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 and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must successfully pass a drug screen.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
  • Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Time in Grade: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the Federal service. Time in grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • GS-07: The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain the OPM Delegated Examining certification.
  • GS-09: The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain the OPM Delegated Examining certification. Requirement to obtain Delegated Examining certification within one year. Advancement to GS-11 is contingent upon receipt of certification.
  • GS-11: The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain the OPM Delegated Examining certification. Requirement to obtain Delegated Examining certification within one year. Advancement to GS-12 is contingent upon receipt of certification.

Qualifications

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess either experience, education, superior academic achievement or a combination of education and experience as described below:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:

  • Respond to customer inquiries on application procedures and status requests;
  • Review personnel actions to ensure they meet all legal and regulatory requirements;
  • Complete recruitment and placement actions utilizing various tools and software applications (such as USAStaffing, Onboarding manager, Electronic System for Personnel and National Finance Center); AND
  • Maintain and track recruitment and placement folders, reports, records and/or documents. OR
Education: Successful completion one year of full-time graduate level education at an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR

Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and claim eligibility for superior academic achievement based on one of the following: (1) class standing in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; (2) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society; (3) grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (4) grade-point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education in an appropriate discipline and experience as described above. To meet total qualification requirements for GS-7, first determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required; then determine the education as a percentage of the education required; and then add the two percentages. The total combination must equal at least 100 percent of the requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess either experience, education, or a combination of education and experience as described below:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:
  • Draft vacancy announcements;
  • Develop rating factors and crediting plans for vacancy announcements;
  • Review and process recruitment and placement actions utilizing various tools and software applications (such as USAStaffing, Onboarding Manager, Electronic System for Personnel, National Finance Center); AND
  • Make recommendations on recruitment strategies to aid in strategic recruitment planning. OR
Education: Successful completion of a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree; or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D. if related to the position, from an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education in an appropriate discipline and experience as described above. Only graduate education in excess of the first full year can be credited for the combination. The total combination must equal at least 100 percent of the requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess either experience, education, or a combination of education and experience as described below:

Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent performing these duties:
  • Assist higher level specialists with recruitment and placement activities such as developing vacancy announcements, performing applicant reviews to determine basic qualifications and eligibilities, adjudicating veteran's preference, preparing selection certificates, and processing personnel actions;
  • Provide advice to hiring managers on recruitment and placement activities;
  • Review and complete various requests for personnel actions and ensure they are consistent with legal and regulatory requirements; AND
  • Deliver high level customer service and respond to actions in a timely manner and in accordance with hiring procedures and timelines. OR
Education: Successful completion of all of the requirements for a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading toward such a degree, or LL.M., if related to this position from an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education in an appropriate discipline and experience as described in A and B above, as outlined in the announcement, and when combined equals 100% of the total requirement. Only graduate education in excess of the first full two (2) years can be credited for the combination.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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; religious; 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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 Human Resources Office.

Additional information

Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries for this position. The actual salary range will be based on the applicable locality pay for the selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and 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) and 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 the POC listed below.

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 and responsibilities.

Suitability: 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, and to sign and 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.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

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; telework; 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.

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an Assessment Questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Recruitment/Placement
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Competence


In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 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 Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)/Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP/RPL eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP/RPL eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP/RPL, you must be placed in the well qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

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