Summary This position is located within USDA, Rural Development, Human Capital Management Division. The incumbent will serve in a developmental position as a Human Resources Specialist providing operational services in the Policy and Programs Branch within Student Programs. This is a developmental position with duties designed to prepare the incumbent for advancement to the position of a Human Resources Specialist, GS-12. Responsibilities Serves in a developmental position as a Human Resources Specialist and performs developmental and training assignments that are structured to prepare the incumbent to proceed to progressively more difficult assignments. Assignments will provide training in analytic and judgmental aspects of the work in the appropriate use of methods, techniques, and how to trouble-shoot internal systems. Works with higher graded Human Resources Specialist on recruitment, staffing, placement, and/or employee benefits. Researches and analyzes data, issues, and information that support project recommendations or the work assignments of higher-graded specialists. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To be eligible for appointment under the College Graduate authority, applicants must meet requirement A or B. A. Applicants who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years. OR B. Veterans who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution and have an intervening period of obligated service of at least four years in the uniformed services. The two-year eligibility period begins on the date of discharge or release from the uniformed service. In addition to meeting the eligibility listed above, all applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. For the GS-7 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Applying basic human resource principles and practices for specialization(s) in staffing, classification, and/or benefits administration; performing entry-level work designed to develop broader and more in-depth knowledge and skill to perform higher-level assignments; researching factual and procedural information clearly to communicate, orally and in writing to various audiences; and responding to customer inquiries and requests that range from basic to moderately complex OR Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) OR Completion of one full academic year of graduate education. Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on completed courses. 2. Grade-point average - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed bases on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. 3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. For the GS-9 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Applying complex human resource principles and practices for specialization(s) in staffing, recruitment, classification, and/or benefits administration; skill in conducting analysis, evaluation, fact-finding, and investigative techniques in order to gather data, identify significant factors, and recommend solutions; experience conducting research to gather information and apply methods and techniques; skill in performing higher-level assignments; researching factual and procedural information to clearly communicate, orally and in writing to various audiences; and responding to customer inquiries and requests that range from moderate to complex OR a master's degree OR equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B or JD., if related. Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-201 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Applicants must have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years OR Veterans who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution and have an intervening period of obligated service of at least four years in the uniformed services. The two-year eligibility period begins on the date of discharge or release from the uniformed service. Applicants must provide transcripts. Conferment date of degree must be evident on the transcript. Please see the Additional Information section below for detailed information that is required regarding transcripts. Additional Information This is not a remote position. The incumbent will be expected to report to the office. College Graduate appointments are permanent competitive service appointments. The full performance level (FPL) of the position may be up to the Human Resources Specialist, GS-12 level. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. To be eligible for appointment to this position, the new hire must be cleared to come on board once the results of the fingerprint check, review of the OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and the candidate's Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) entries have been reviewed and determined to be satisfactory. This position requires a favorable credit check as part of the background investigation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.