Human Resources Specialist (Classification)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, Talent Management Directorate, CBP Hiring Center, Classification Branch located in Bloomington, MN. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

About the role

The primary mission of the Classification Team is to provide superior advice and guidance to customers in the areas of position classification, organization, and position management services. This position provides operational position classification, position management, and organizational design for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Duties

• Classify a wide variety of position descriptions using Office of Personnel Management (OPM) classification standards by making determinations on the proper pay plan, title, series, and grade level for General Schedule (GS) positions ranging from grades 1 through 15, along with Federal Wage System positions.
• Conduct position reviews including desk and position audits as necessary; interpret classification issuances, directives, regulations, laws, and procedures to ensure a well-regulated classification program is maintained; prepare evaluation reports of positions reviewed and take necessary action to ensure positions are revised for accuracy and completeness.
• Make auxiliary determinations for classified positions, including applying the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); determining Financial Disclosure filing requirements, position sensitivity regarding the level of background investigation or security clearance; Bargaining Unit Status (BUS) determinations; and Drug Testing requirements; utilize several human resources software programs to assess information, record, and enter data on positions.
• Consult and advise management officials on all phases of the classification process by assisting them in structuring and planning their organization's work with career paths and organizational design; participate in the preparation of position descriptions and assign jobs to proper occupational groups to provide for maximum utilization of personnel.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• As an employee of CBP, your conduct will be subject to ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, including conflict-of-interest statutes. You will be required to obtain approval for outside employment or business activity.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.
• This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.
• This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement.

Qualifications

GS-11:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Conducting desk audits.
  • Gathering information to provide insight to management on efficient organizational structures.
  • Communicating grade distinctions to management with supporting criteria and justification.
  • Interpreting and applying complex position classification standards to positions to determine the correct pay category, occupational series, title, and grade level.
• Education Substitution: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related, may substitute for specialized experience.
• Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used for GS-11.

GS-12:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Reviewing a full range of classifying standards and position descriptions using OPM classification standards.
  • Analyzing, interpreting, and reviewing classification issuances, directives, regulations, laws, and procedures, and preparing evaluation reports on findings.
  • Making determinations for classified positions applying Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Financial Disclosure filing requirements, Bargaining Unit Status (BUS) determinations, position sensitivity regarding the level of background investigation or security clearance, and Drug Testing requirements.
  • Utilizing HR software programs to assess, record, and present data on positions and position management.
• There is no education substitution at the GS-12 grade level for this position.

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet these requirements, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

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).

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $81,415.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $126,859.00 (GS-12, Step 10).

Visit the locality pay tables by geographic area. If your geographic area is not listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level, and location.

Additional Information

• Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals must have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions may apply if you meet specific conditions (e.g., working for the U.S. Government, participation in a study abroad program, or as a dependent of a federal employee).
• Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of their initial permanent federal appointment.
• Background Investigation: All applicants must undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment. You will be asked about felony convictions, illegal drug use, and non-prescribed controlled substances.
• CTAP/ICTAP Eligibles: If you are eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 and submit supporting documents.