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Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement)

Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Office of Human Resources and Professional and Development
This job announcement has closed

Summary

ATF is a law enforcement agency in the U.S. Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals/criminal organizations, illegal use/trafficking of firearms, illegal use/storage of explosives, acts of arson/bombings, acts of terrorism, and illegal diversion of alcohol/tobacco products. We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public through information sharing, training, research, & technology. Visit www.atf.gov

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/09/2025 to 04/11/2025
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$84,601 to - $156,755 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Location
5 vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational only per agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
25-HRPD-MP-12717606-ADB
Control number
835014400

Duties

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This position is located under the Office of Human Resources and Professional Development in Washington, District of Columbia.

The primary purpose of this position is to provides technical guidance and/or policy support to all bureau management personnel in the combination of the following functions: recruitment and placement, accountability, and compensation.

As a Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment and Placement), GS-0201-11/12/13, your typical work assignments may include:

GS-11/12

  • Administers a bureau-wide recruitment program to include merit promotion, delegated examining, student employment, availability pay, and policy.
  • Advises and assist management on matters pertaining to recruitment, placement, promotions, reassignments, details, and reduction-in-force procedures and employment in general.
  • Utilize Human Resources automated systems.
  • Stays abreast of changes in Federal law, ATF policy and other pay and leave guidance that may impact the bureau.
GS-13
  • Administers a bureau-wide recruitment program to include merit promotion, delegated examining, student employment, availability pay, and policy. Trains lower-graded HR specialist on a full range of recruitment flexibilities.
  • Educates leadership and management on available flexibilities through OPM and ATF hiring authorities.
  • Advising HR and senior management in all areas of staffing and recruitment.
  • Utilize Human Resources automated systems.
  • Stays abreast of changes in Federal law, ATF policy and other pay and leave guidance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process.

Key Requirements:
  1. Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
  3. Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
  4. May be required to serve a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-11 if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing the following duties:

  • Drafting job announcements and issuing certificates of referral using Category Rating and Merit Promotion procedures; AND
  • Providing management advisory services related to staffing and recruitment; AND
  • Utilizing automated various automated HR/payroll system; AND
  • Interpreting and applying Federal regulations, concepts, principles and practices to all recruitment and placement activities.
OR

Have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree or successfully completed at least 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR

Received an LL.M if related.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

You qualify for the GS-12 if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing the following duties:
  • Drafting job announcements and issuing certificates of referral using Category Rating and Merit Promotion procedures; AND
  • Providing management advisory services related to staffing and recruitment; AND
  • Utilizing automated various automated HR/payroll system; AND
  • Interpreting and applying Federal regulations, concepts, principles and practices to all recruitment and placement activities.

You qualify for the GS-13 if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing the following duties:
  • Supporting a federal staffing and recruitment program to include drafting job analyses, and announcement using an automated HR System for delegated examining and merit promotion recruitment; AND
  • Providing management advisory services related to staffing and recruitment; AND
  • Researching, interpreting and applying appropriate federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines in the area of Recruitment and Placement, Pay and Compensation.
  • Assisting Junior HR Specialist on HR rules regulation process and procedures, reviewing work to ensure compliance.


Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/.


Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/


Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.

Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.

Education

All academic degrees and course work must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See www.ed.gov for a list of schools.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Ethical Obligations

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov

EEO Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, genetic information, disability, age, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, you must contact the ATF EEO office within 45 calendar days of when the alleged harm occurred at 202-648-8760 or eeointakemailbox@atf.gov. Please see DOJ Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: 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 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. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you receive the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

"Federal Regulations state no ATF employee, his/her spouse, or his/her minor child shall have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest, including compensated employment, stock, or proprietary interest in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries. You should be aware that you may be asked to relinquish any ownership of or interests in the alcohol, tobacco, firearms or explosives industries before a determination can be made whether access to ATF information, information technology systems, and/or facilities can be authorized."

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

The assessment questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies:

  • Computer Skills
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Recruitment/Placement
  • Teaches Others
  • Technical Credibility


To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12717606

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