Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations)
Department of State - Agency Wide
Posted: March 16, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
Salary
$108,019 - $140,426
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Human Resources jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job is for a senior HR expert who guides leaders on hiring, employee development, and organizational strategies to help a veterans' health network run smoothly.
It involves advising on tough HR issues like staffing, pay, and performance while leading a small team.
It's a great fit for experienced HR professionals with federal government background who enjoy strategic planning and mentoring others.
The Lead Human Resources Specialist (LHRS) reports directly to the Senior Strategic Business Partner (SSBP) in the Strategic Business Unit (SBU).
The role of the Lead Human Resources Specialist contributes to overall VISN performance by assisting the SSBP with tactical and strategic consulting on people and organization development strategies in support of business objectives.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/23/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.
An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above.
To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria: Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level.
Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector.
Qualifying specialized experience includes: providing continuing advice and guidance in areas which include, but not limited to, basic employment policy, appointment authorities, recruitment and staffing; advising staff on difficult and unusual recruitment, placement, pay issues or problems; troubleshooting and resolving internal and external issues related to HR and provide expert level HR advice and guidance on programs for customers.
~OR~ Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas.
Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector.
Qualifying specialized experience includes: Federal Human Resources Specialist experience; knowledge of local labor market to advise executive leadership on all HR matters; workload management for HR functional areas: employee relations consultation; strategic talent acquisition and management (staffing); policy interpretation, application, and implementation; and performance and compensation management consultation.
Preferred Experience: Experience with mentoring/leading individuals.
Experience and knowledge in HR Smart Personnel Processing and Quality Review, Position Management, Compensation, Recruitment and Placement, USA Staffing Onboarding, Salesforce, Employee/Labor Relations, Performance Management, Health Profession Trainees, Fee Basis, and Time and Attendance Major Duties:
The VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network VISN 6 has one
Lead Human Resources Specialist (Strategic Business Unit) to support the Hampton VA Healthcare System vacancy Not to Exceed (NTE) one
year. This vacancy may be used to fill future permanent recruitments.
Duties of the Lead HR Specialist (Strategic Business Unit) include but are not limited to: Collaborates with the SSBP, facility executives and VISN leadership to execute and align human capital goals and priorities.
Leads staff while also functioning in a technical capacity to work collaboratively with the all levels of leadership and the VISN 6 HR Shared Service Units.
Monitors and recommends action on all pay limitation areas.
This position advises, communicates, and supports the execution of Human Capital Management (HCM) programs, products, and services into the organization.
Key member in various VISN committees and activities working directly with leadership to develop an HR strategy.
Provides expert management consultative service to the SSBP and local leadership involving the full spectrum of HR functions (e.g., recruitment and placement, employee performance, and conduct issues) on highly complex VISN-wide or equivalent issues.
Assesses the needs and strategic objectives and analyzes trends and priorities for the future, to focus on implementation strategies.
Provides consultation and advice on ways to address process, structure, culture and people challenges or opportunities with initiatives that are aligned with the HCM policies and strategies.
Collaboratively drives complex employee relations issues for field-based employees such as employee complaints, harassment allegations, and work performance issues while ensuring legal compliance.
Conducts exit interview, analyzes trends in turnover, separations and grievances to determine support or actions needed to adjust unfavorable trends.
Analyzes, evaluates, and develops major aspects of agency-wide labor relations programs that require isolating and defining unknown conditions.
Develops management strategies to respond to labor issues. As a key member of the management team, explains management and labor rights and the legal and contractual implications of management actions.
This position may require occasional travel to trainings and/or conferences.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: HR Specialist Total Rewards Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.
Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, specific tour during core business hours will be discussed upon interview and selection Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized based on supervisor's discretion Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad Hoc telework.
Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Lead Human Resources Specialist (SBU)/PD99880S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.
A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
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