Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. APV is a mission-driven powerhouse transforming organizations through advanced technology and human ingenuity. The Senior Staffing & Recruitment Specialist will provide advanced support on federal staffing, examining, and placement activities, handling complex cases and serving as a senior point of contact for various stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the senior authority on federal qualifications determinations under the OPM Qualifications Handbook (Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions), including specialized experience, time-in-grade, and selective placement factors
- Adjudicate complex examining cases, including assessment strategy under 5 CFR Part 300, category rating under 5 USC 3319 and 5 CFR Part 337, and rule of three vs. rule of many issues
- Provide expert guidance on Direct Hire Authority (DHA) under 5 USC 3304(a)(3), special hiring authorities, expedited hiring, and OPM-delegated examining
- Advise on Schedule A appointments for individuals with disabilities (5 CFR 213.3102(u)), Schedule B, Schedule C, and other excepted service authorities
- Lead resolution of complex pathways cases (Pathways Programs under 5 CFR Part 362), VRA, and veterans-related appointing authorities
- Serve as the senior authority on veterans preference under the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 (5 USC 2108), the Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), and 30% or More Disabled Veterans hiring
- Apply and enforce merit system principles (5 USC 2301), prohibited personnel practices (5 USC 2302), and equal employment opportunity requirements throughout the recruitment lifecycle
- Lead resolution of veterans preference complaints, VEOA complaints, and OPM oversight inquiries
- Coordinate with OGC and DHS Office of the Chief Diversity Officer on EEO considerations in recruitment and selection
- Lead enterprise responses to GAO, OIG, IG, and OPM accountability findings related to staffing and recruitment
- Lead implementation of federal hiring reform initiatives, including OPM and OMB skills-based hiring guidance, Subject Matter Expert Qualifying Assessment (SME-QA) methodology, Pooled Hiring, Hire to Mission, and Time-to-Hire reduction strategies
- Advise on assessment strategy modernization, including resume-only assessments, structured interviews, work samples, and validated multiple-hurdle approaches
- Lead enterprise standards for job analysis, competency identification, and assessment validation
- Coordinate with USA Staffing and OPM on system enhancements, special authorities, and hiring innovation pilots
- Advise on the staffing implications of new authorities, executive orders, and OPM guidance
- Draft, review, and update DHS staffing and recruitment policies, management directives, instructions, implementation guidance, SOPs, and examining desk references
- Interpret 5 USC Chapters 31, 33, and 41; 5 CFR Parts 211, 213, 300, 302, 315, 316, 330, 332, 335, 337, 338, 339, 351, 362, and 720; OPM guidance; and DHS-specific authorities
- Design and lead the enterprise QA program for staffing accuracy, including certificate audit, qualifications determination review, and veterans preference application
- Establish enterprise standards for job opportunity announcement (JOA) quality, assessment validity, and case file completeness
- Lead audit responses, IG inquiries, and program self-assessments related to staffing and examining
- Serve as the trusted senior advisor to OCHCO leadership, component CHROs, hiring managers, OGC, and APV leadership on staffing strategy and complex placement matters
- Prepare executive-level decision papers, briefing memos, talking points, congressional response materials, and risk assessments
- Represent DHS at OPM, the CHCO Council, the Hiring Excellence Working Group, and interagency forums on staffing matters
- Mentor senior and journeyman specialists, lead case calibration sessions, and conduct quality reviews of complex recruitment work products
- Build and maintain enterprise training and certification curricula for the DHS staffing and recruitment workforce
Skills
- Active DHS Public Trust or favorably adjudicated investigation; ability to obtain and maintain required suitability/access throughout the period of performance
- Minimum 12-15 years of progressive federal staffing and recruitment experience, including substantial time as a senior examiner, branch chief, or program lead
- Demonstrated mastery of the OPM Qualifications Handbook; 5 USC Chapters 31 and 33; 5 CFR Parts 300, 302, 315, 316, 330, 332, 335, 337, 338, 339, and 362; veterans preference law; and merit system principles
- Documented experience adjudicating complex examining cases, special hiring authority cases, veterans preference cases, and case file integrity issues
- Demonstrated experience advising executives, OGC, and interagency partners on sensitive staffing matters
- Hands-on expertise with USA Staffing and OPM examining systems
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce defensible documentation and persuasive executive products
- Demonstrated ability to operate independently in a fully remote environment with frequent senior-level coordination
- Prior service as a DHS, DoD, or other federal agency senior staffing advisor, branch chief, or division chief
- Delegated Examining Certification (current or recent)
- USA Staffing Hiring Manager / HR User certification, USA Staffing Onboarding Manager, or comparable USA Staffing power user credentials
- Experience leading skills-based hiring rollout, SME-QA, Pooled Hiring, or Hire to Mission activities
- SHRM-SCP, IPMA-SCP, SPHR, or comparable senior HR certification
- Experience supporting MSPB appeals or OPM oversight engagements related to staffing
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