Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Human Resource Specialist
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-M20PA-10713830-LJL Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, January 31, 2020 to Friday, February 14, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:
• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR 
• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?  (limit characters)
5. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
6.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
7.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
8. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
9.
Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee AND

• has reinstatement eligibility; AND 
• has not held a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?
(limit characters)
10.
Are you:

• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
11.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• recently separated (within the past 3 years); OR,
• are a disabled veteran; OR,
• served on active duty during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal)for participation in a military operation?

 For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for the Human Resources Specialist position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position. (limit characters)
1. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-11 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified. (limit characters)
2. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Choose the response that best describes your experience providing advice and guidance to managers to ensure positions and organizations are structured in accordance with sound position management principles.
(limit characters)
4. Choose the response that best describes your experience assisting supervisors in developing position descriptions.
(limit characters)
5. I have performed the following tasks as a routine part of the job: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
6. Choose the response that best describes your experience utilizing an automated staffing system (e.g. USA Staffing, Monster, QuickHire, Avue, Indeed, LinkedIn, or other similar systems) to post job announcements and assess applications.
(limit characters)
7. Choose the response that best describes your experience analyzing jobs/positions to determine required qualifications and skills and recruitment strategies.
(limit characters)
8. Choose the response that best describes your experience developing screener questions, assessment tools, and/or interview questions to verify applicants' skills.
(limit characters)
9. Choose the response that best describes your experience reviewing and analyzing applications to ensure that applicants meet the basic qualification requirements.
(limit characters)
10. Choose the response that best describes your experience collaborating with managers and supervisors to determine long and short-range staffing needs.
(limit characters)
11. Select all of the following personnel actions you have advised on and processed paperwork for:
(limit characters)
12. I have researched and located information on HR programs, policies, or procedures using the following methods: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
13. Choose the response that best describes your experience maintaining open and continuous communication with customers.
(limit characters)
14. Choose the response that best describes your experience providing prompt and accurate advice and guidance to supervisors and managers regarding staffing and recruitment policies, procedures and regulations.
(limit characters)
15. Choose the response that best describes your experience ensuring customer service goals and activities are met in a timely manner.
(limit characters)
16. I have regularly provided quality customer service by answering questions and/or resolving issues related to the following: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
17. I have experience establishing rapport with - and providing high-quality customer service to - the following individuals: (Check all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
18. Choose the response that best describes your experience gathering HR data and preparing personnel paperwork and support materials for leadership review and approval.
(limit characters)
19. Choose the response that best describes your experience processing and documenting personnel and pay actions, maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
(limit characters)
20. Choose the response that best describes your experience maintaining position management data, including updating and maintaining position descriptions for an organization.
(limit characters)
21. I have experience tracking and maintaining the following HR data: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
22. Choose the response that best describes your experience answering complex hiring manager or employee questions by utilizing various HR databases, personnel files, and policy and procedure manuals to find the required information.
(limit characters)
23. Choose the response that best describes your experience tracking vacancies for an assigned organization/program and regularly providing updates to management on where the vacancies are in the recruitment process.
(limit characters)
24. Choose the response that best describes your experience providing a wide range of alternative recommendations to management to achieve staffing/recruitment solutions.
(limit characters)
25. Choose the response that best describes your experience solving complex position management and staffing/recruitment problems through research and analysis.
(limit characters)
26. Choose the response that best describes your experience participating in operational planning with management to ascertain the human resources effects of proposed changes and advising on courses of action.
(limit characters)
27. Choose the response that best describes your experience assessing current HR operating procedures and recommending improvements.
(limit characters)
28. Choose the response that best describes your experience developing training materials that contribute to the overall improvement of recruitment/staffing programs.
(limit characters)
29. Choose the response that best describes your experience presenting human resources training courses to supervisors and/or employees.
(limit characters)
30. Choose the response that best describes your experience serving as a resource to, mentoring, and/or providing training to other human resources professionals.
(limit characters)
31. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)