Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits) - HR Navigator

Summary HR Navigator supports the VA Medical Center by providing in-person onboarding assistance - employee HR support - benefits education - and HR systems processing. The role ensures timely hiring - accurate HR data - regulatory compliance - and quality customer service. The position is aligned to the local strategic unit and located on-site - offering direct HR navigation support to staff - managers - and leadership. Qualifications To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/19/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-04) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying specialized experience would typically include - but is not limited to assisting with tasks such as collecting documentation or reviewing forms for accuracy; providing customer service through phone - email - or walk-in support; using automated systems to enter or retrieve data; supporting administrative processes such as payroll documentation - form completion - or employee inquiry intake; and preparing various types of correspondence - follow-up meeting arrangements - and similar functions required to administer operations. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full four (4) year course of study - above high school - leading to a bachelor's degree in a field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal pre-requisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business - secretarial or technical school - junior college - college - or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years. GS-06 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying specialized experience would typically include but is not limited to reviewing personnel documents and identifying discrepancies; providing benefits guidance such as Health - Life - Dental - Vision - Retirement - and other benefit programs; conducting benefits enrollment and reviewing forms for accuracy/compliance; providing customer support related to human resources functions; submitting and tracking troubleshooting tickets; and using automated systems to upload documents - maintain data integrity - and process actions. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The work requires regular and recurring physical activity - including walking throughout the facility to escort candidates and employees to various locations - standing for extended periods during onboarding activities - and navigating between offices and service points. These physical demands are essential to performing the in-person components of this role. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting which is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated. The work is performed in an on-site facility setting that requires direct interaction with candidates - employees - and multiple support services. The environment necessitates routing presence in various areas of the facility to coordinate onboarding activities and deliver face-to-face HR services. The essential functions of the position cannot be fully performed in a remote or virtual setting due to reliance on physical processes - in-person coordination - and direct customer interaction. Duties The Human Resources (HR) Navigator serves three primary functions: (1) As a centralized onboarding and workforce navigation resource within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)(2) providing Tier 1 HR support to current employees - connecting customers with appropriate HR teams responsive to customers' queriesand (3) providing education - researching and correction of discrepancies - and full range assistant level support for benefits and leave programs across the facilityThe role ensures timely hiring - regulatory compliance - workforce readiness - benefits enrollment education - HR system data accuracy and positive employee experiences for the on-site workforce it servesMajor duties include - but are not limited to the following: Onboarding and Pre-Employment Coordination Serves as the primary point of contact for selectees from tentative job offer through Entry on Duty (EOD)Coordinates pre-employment steps with new hiresHelps new employees submit required forms and completes pre-hire checksSupports scheduling and communication throughout the onboarding processMonitors and tracks onboarding progress - identifies delays - and ensures timely completion of requirementsSupports the completion of pre-employment requirements such as background checks - fingerprinting - physical exams - drug testing - and driving record reviews - and helps new hires finish any additional steps needed before starting workEmployee HR Support & Customer Service Conducts New Employee In-Processing and prepares first-day documentationServes as an on-site HR customer support representative handling inquiries via walk-in - phone - email - and ticketing systemsProvides assistance with pay processes - payroll briefings - tax withholding - and direct depositReviews employee records - identifies discrepancies - and gathers information for resolutionProvides assistance to employees regarding HR-related questions and processesHelps resolve basic HR issues and directs employees to the correct resourcesSubmits and tracks payroll service requestsScreens and resolves routine HR inquiries and refers complex issues to HR SpecialistsBenefits Program Support Provides guidance and support to employees on their federal benefit programs - including health insurance - life insurance - dental and vision coverage - retirement savings plans - childcare assistance - and transit benefitsMeets with employees to explain benefits options and provide individualized guidanceConducts new hire benefits enrollment - reviews forms for accuracy - and uploads required documentationSupports Open Season communications and enrollment activitiesAssists employees with benefits-related changes tied to qualifying life eventsHR Systems Processing Uploads and verifies documentation in HR systems and the electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF)Uses HR systems to submit tickets - process benefits updates - and maintain HR data accuracyEnsures records and documentation meet compliance requirementsPromotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are metSelection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance levelWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - Administrative Hours (To be discussed during interviews.) Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc teleworkTelework eligibility will be discussed during the interview processVirtual: This is not a virtual positionPosition Description/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits) - HR Navigator/PD99237-S and PD99238-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical CentersThis is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullestAs an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each VeteranThis is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's communityThis aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.