Human Resources Specialist - U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum : Job Details

SummaryThis position is located in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), Office of Human Resources, Washington, DCThe Museum is committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI). Please click here to view the Museum Statement on Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (PDF).This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive serviceCurrent or former competitive service federal employees.
• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)Federal employees who meet the definition of a surplus or displaced employee.
• Veterans
• Individuals with disabilities
• Military spouses
• Special authoritiesIndividuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Land & base managementCertain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

Clarification from the agencyStatus Candidates (this includes current or former Federal employees with career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP,ICTAP,VRA,VEOA,ADSM, More Disabled Veterans,Schedule A,Military Spouses,Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Land Management, and Interchange Agreement Eligibles)DutiesThe United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America's national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention.In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.Duties include:Performs research using the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Federal Register, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidelines, and Museum policy to advise others and ensure compliance with Federal and Museum human resources requirements. Develops proposals for policy directives, procedures and operating manuals required for efficient and systematic implementation of a wide variety of topics related to human resources activities and operations considering the Museum's status and operations as a public-private partnership.Develops technically sound and comprehensive materials on complex subjects that may not currently exist to improve the effectiveness and quality of federal human resources administration and management advising on requirements for staffing, position classification, performance management, employee relations, employee development, employee pay and benefits, personnel security, and federal HR systems (FPPS), Employee Express and other federal systems. Serves as the facilitator with other HR technical experts, outside the Museum, on areas such as federal HR systems, automating manual federal processes and recordkeeping, personnel security, employee benefits, and unusually complex pay cases. Areas of expertise include position design and classification, recruiting, selecting, establishing pay and entitlements, and documenting a wide variety of unique appointments and HR actions (including appointments, promotions, reassignments, reinstatements, transfers, conversions, details, and other actions) to support the Museum's operational and strategic plan goals.Serves as the federal HR data expert for the development of reports, use of HR data for analytics, identifying erroneous and missing data within the systems USHMM utilizes, and coaches and mentors' junior federal staff on the capture, recordation, and reporting of accurate, comprehensive federal HR data. Develops and implements clean-up plans when deficiencies are found in federal HR data.Expert knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods sufficient to design and conduct comprehensive HR research for matters characterized by factors that can be broad and sometimes difficult to determine in advance. Uses expert knowledge and appropriate reference materials and resources to identify and propose solutions to HR management issues that are characterized by their breadth, importance, and severity.Requirements Conditions of Employment•On-line resumes must be submitted by 11:59pm EST of the closing date.•You must be a suitable for Federal employment.•You must be a U.S. citizen.•You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov).•Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date.•A one year probationary/trial period may be required.•Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.•The USHMM is an equal opportunity employer.•This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.The decision granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.•As a condition of employment, all new hires must agree to direct deposit of their salary checks.Employees will have up to two (2) pay periods from the date they enter on duty to arrange for their direct deposit transaction.•This is a Federal agency.Former employees who received a voluntary separation incentive ( buyout ) must repay the full amount of it if reemployed under any type of appointment or under a personal service contract within five years after separation with a buyout. QualificationsQualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: 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.SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 (or equivalent) grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:Advising Museum managers and supervisors on the rules, regulations, and procedures for the effective and efficient hiring, managing, developing, and administering of appropriate entitlements for federal employees;Providing guidance and leadership to human resources (HR) staff members on the interpretation, application and execution of comprehensive federal HR management rules, regulations and procedures for carrying out the Museum's federal HR programs (i.e., staffing, position classification, performance management, employee relations, employee development, employee pay and benefits, personnel security, and federal HR systems (FPPS), Employee Express and other federal systems);Researching and interpreting the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Federal Register, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidelines, and Museum policy to advise others and for developing proposals for policy directives, procedures and operating manuals for efficient and systematic implementation of HR activities and operations; ANDLeveraging HR data to perform analytics, develop reports, assess and predict trends, perform strategic management of human resources, and provide recommendations to senior leadership.Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), Notice of Personnel Action that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).***Failure to submit required documentation will result in an ineligible rating.EducationThere is no positive education requirement for this position.Additional informationA complete application consists of the following:

• Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
• If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service). If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference see
• Active Duty Service Members You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit
• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see additional information).
• Education. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.

• BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation (transcripts if applicable) to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire that you completed as part of the application. However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the occupational questions, or your score will be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc..) Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

• BenefitsA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required DocumentsAs a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.A complete application consists of the following:
  • Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
  • If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service). If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference see
  • Active Duty Service Members You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit
  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see additional information).
  • Education. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.
  You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient. FAILURE TO SUBMIT (VIA FAX OR ATTACHMENT) THE APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS MAY EXCLUDE YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees fromschools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to ApplyClick the Apply Online button to create an account on USAJOBS.gov or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Pull up the Museum's vacancy announcement that you are interested in.Follow the prompts to complete the on-line Assessment Questionnaire. Please ensure that you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.Application Assistance: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you must contact the Servicing Specialist, Chanel Cabiness at [email protected] no later than noon Eastern Time on the closing date to request a complete application package.After this time, requests to apply will not be granted.All electronic application packages must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. eastern time by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.Agency contact informationChanel CabinessPhone202-###-####TDD202-###-####Fax202-###-####[email protected]. Holocaust Memorial Museum100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, S.W.Attn:Human Resources Washington, District of Columbia 20024United StatesNext stepsYou will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at and clicking on Track Your Online Application. The four points of notification are:
• Application Received or Application Incomplete
• Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Not Met;
• Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and
• Selected or Not Selected.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application.If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed.After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
• Fair and TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required DocumentsA complete application consists of the following:

• Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
• If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service or other valid proof of eligibility (i.e., statement of service that shows service dates AND character of service). If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference see
• Active Duty Service Members You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the announcement closes. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm the discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not be considered for this job opportunity under Veteran Preference procedures. To gain access to your DD-214 online please visit
• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see additional information).
• Education. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient. FAILURE TO SUBMIT (VIA FAX OR ATTACHMENT) THE APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS MAY EXCLUDE YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees fromschools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.How to ApplyClick the Apply Online button to create an account on USAJOBS.gov or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Pull up the Museum's vacancy announcement that you are interested in.Follow the prompts to complete the on-line Assessment Questionnaire. Please ensure that you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.Application Assistance: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you must contact the Servicing Specialist, Chanel Cabiness at [email protected] no later than noon Eastern Time on the closing date to request a complete application package.After this time, requests to apply will not be granted.All electronic application packages must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. eastern time by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.Agency contact informationChanel CabinessPhone202-###-####TDD202-###-####Fax202-###-####[email protected]. Holocaust Memorial Museum100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, S.W.Attn:Human Resources Washington, District of Columbia 20024United StatesNext stepsYou will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at and clicking on Track Your Online Application. The four points of notification are:

Application Received or Application Incomplete

Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Not Met;

Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Eligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and

Selected or Not Selected.

By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application.If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed.After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).Fair & TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request