Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations)
Office of Inspector General
Posted: February 13, 2026 (0 days ago)
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U.S. Coast Guard
Department of Homeland Security
Location
Alameda, California
Salary
$111,896 - $172,980
per year
Type
Full Time
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $24,729 - $31,093
Typical requirements: No experience required. High school diploma or equivalent.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job is for a Human Resources Specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard in California, focusing on helping managers hire, place, and classify employees to keep the organization running smoothly.
It involves advising on staffing rules, solving tricky HR problems, and ensuring hires meet the team's needs.
A good fit would be someone with several years of HR experience in government or similar settings, who enjoys analyzing policies and supporting teams through changes.
This vacancy is for a GS-0201-12/13, Human Resources Specialist located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S.
Coast Guard, HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICE CENTER WEST in Alameda, CA This position is open to status candidates in the local commuting area of Alameda, CA.
To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the federal sector.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
Perform internal placement and merit promotion activities for managers and employees to fill positions in frequently changing organizations by interpreting merit promotion policies, advising on eligibility and procedures, and resolving difficult placement issues.
Perform external recruitment and placement actions for mission-critical positions to meet organizational staffing needs by applying staffing laws, regulations, and program requirements to ensure compliance and timely hiring outcomes.
Classify General Schedule and Federal Wage System positions for a multi-mission organization to establish accurate pay and position alignment by analyzing duties, applying classification standards, and preparing position descriptions and evaluation documentation.
Provide HR advisory services to managers and employees on classification and staffing issues to support informed decision-making by interpreting policies, resolving conflicting guidance, and recommending solutions that address immediate and long-term workforce needs.
Analyze HR problems involving conflicting or incomplete information affecting staffing and classification to improve service delivery and program effectiveness by evaluating data, applying HR laws and regulations, and recommending practical, legally supportable solutions.
NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Education can not be substituted for experience at this grade level.
To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the federal sector.
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
Performs senior-level human resources program work by providing guidance to HR staff and management on staffing and classification programs ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, consistent application of policy, and effective execution of delegated HR authorities.
Provides expert position classification services by analyzing complex and controversial positions across multiple pay systems and occupational series to determine appropriate title, series, and grade in accordance with OPM classification standards and agency policy.
Advises senior leaders on external recruitment, examination, and selection strategies by evaluating best practices to develop recruitment approaches that support short- and long-term organizational staffing goals.
Forecasts workforce requirements and implements internal placement strategies by coordinating with management on workforce changes, skill gaps, and position allocations to maintain staffing levels aligned with mission needs.
Provides senior-level advisory services by interpreting and applying complex HR policies across classification, recruitment, and placement functions to resolve precedent-setting or controversial issues and recommend solutions that support both immediate and long-term organizational objectives.
NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Education can not be substituted for experience at this grade level.
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. Major Duties:
You will serve as a Human Resources Specialist and will be responsible for providing a full range of staffing, position classification, and technical support to customers, field representatives, employees, management officials or the public when needed.
Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.
Typical work assignments include: Performs internal placement actions for serviced organizations by conducting special placement activities and providing advisory assistance to ensure proper employee placement and compliance with internal staffing requirements.
Reviews draft regulations and personnel standards affecting serviced organizations to assess operational and workforce impact and provide informed input that supports effective implementation.
Performs external recruitment and placement activities for organizations with complex or rapidly changing missions to fill positions requiring specialized recruitment strategies by applying staffing policies to resolve complex recruitment challenges.
Classifies positions within the Federal Wage System (FWS) and General Schedule (GS) by analyzing job duties and preparing classification documentation to ensure positions are accurately graded in accordance with OPM standards.
Provides authoritative guidance and interpretation of personnel policies, procedures, and guidelines to managers and employees to resolve complex or potentially controversial issues involving multiple areas of personnel policy.
Develops and provides human resources recommendations to leadership to address immediate operational needs while supporting long-term workforce planning objectives.
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 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. Reasonable Accommodation Information
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