Foreign Service Human Resources Officer
Department of State Headquarters — Montevideo, Uruguay
Job description
The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Human Resources Officer (HRO) positions. Learn more about Foreign Service careers at https://careers.state.gov. There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
Duties:
Duties Some of the specific duties and responsibilities of the HRO include managing human resource issues for U.S. Direct Hires (USDH) and Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff). These include but are not limited to: Locally Employed Staff Human Resource Responsibilities Talent Management: Oversees the lifecycle of LE staff employment from recruitment, security and medical clearances, onboarding, benefits, compensation, training, discipline, and performance, to separation. Oversees the hiring and performance process for Eligible Family Members (EFM), all of whom are hired locally. Performance Management: Oversees the LE staff performance evaluation process. Counsels employees and supervisors on career development. Guides managers on handling poor performance. Employee Relations and Recognition: Manages the interagency mission awards program. Counsels employees and supervisors on leadership and interpersonal skills. Manages disciplinary actions. Policies and Procedures: Creates and abolishes local positions. Reviews position descriptions to ensure that position classifications are fair and accurately reflect the realities of the position. Monitors changes to local labor laws and Department policy and updates the Local Compensation Plan and LE Staff Handbook. Prepares and leads presentations for staff on policies and procedures. Coordinates with State Department lawyers on legal matters as appropriate. Supervision: Supervises, directs, mentors, and evaluates LE and EFM HR office staff. U.S. Direct Hire Human Resource Responsibilities Talent Management: As Post Training Officer, approves training requests, develops mentoring programs and training programs, and administers intern, fellows, and seasonal hire programs. Coordinates the annual bidding process. Performance Management: Coordinates the annual evaluations process. Counsels and advises USDH staff on career development. Develops workload projections. Employee Relations and Recognition: Develops and presents orientation programs. Oversees post language programs. Oversees implementation of diplomatic immunity, accreditation, and residential permit requirements. Liaises with appropriate offices in Washington to manage poor performance and discipline. Policies, Procedures, Salary, and Benefit Administration: Disseminates federal benefits information, assignment information, and newly enacted policies and procedures. Contribution to Mission Development: Advises on HR policies, contributes to the annual Mission Strategic Plan, and participates in Mission-wide activities such as representational events and VIP visits. Serves as acting Management Officer or Financial Management Officer as needed. Possible Domestic HR Assignments: Board of Examiners, Course Manager at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Career Development Officer, Regional Human Resources Officer, and Subject Matter Expert, among other opportunities.
Location: Department of State Posts - Overseas and Domestic (and 264 other locations)
Education:
At the time of application, the candidate must possess: A high school diploma or equivalency, or an associate's degree, and a minimum of five years of specialized experience within the last 10 years; or A bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of specialized experience within the last 10 years; or A master's degree in human resources or labor relations from an accredited university or college, and a minimum of two years of specialized experience within the last 10 years. Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign Education Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services - NACES or AICE - to be given credit towards qualification. The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts. The Department of State will not accept foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service and will terminate the candidacy. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Foreign Education section, and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service. OPM: www.opm.gov U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov Please refer to the Required Documents section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position.
How you will be evaluated:
The Department of State evaluates candidates on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. The Department will select only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications for this position. Part-time work experience will be prorated. The Department of State reserves the right to cancel and/or disqualify any application or to withhold test results when, in its judgment, a testing irregularity occurs. Testing irregularities include, but are not limited to, candidate misconduct, plagiarism, and/or misrepresentation of material fact, including in narrative descriptions of accomplishments. The Department may verify content provided by candidates by contacting references. It also conducts extensive background checks of work and education history of candidates offered employment. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Other information:
*EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required. U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the U.S. - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated. **The U.S. Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information, please visit: https://fam.state.gov/ ***For more information about Veterans' Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference/ No candidate will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under §607, §608, §610, or §612 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no candidate will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof. A Foreign Service Specialist separated pursuant to §§306, 607, 608, 610, or 612 may not reapply to be in the same skill code but may apply for another skill code or to be a Foreign Service Generalist. A Foreign Service Generalist separated pursuant to §§306, 607, 608, 610, or 612 may not reapply as a Generalist but may apply to a Foreign Service Specialist vacancy. Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 U.S. Code §3303, as amended, from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 U.S. Code §3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities. It is the policy of the federal government to treat all employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination and retaliation, in accordance with the standards set forth by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to qualified candidates with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodation in advance. For information on requesting reasonable accommodation, please visit: https://careers.state.gov/requesting-reasonable-accommodations/ Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
How to apply:
The application submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. It is the candidate's responsibility to complete the application process and submit all required documents before the closing deadline. There are no exceptions. Complete the application process by registering to take the Human Resources Officer Test (HROT) as indicated in the steps below. Do not apply through USAJobs. Visit https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/specialistSPECIALIST.html and create a web account. Follow the instructions to complete the application process. Answer any self-assessment/affirmation questions. Your information is automatically saved as you proceed. You may interrupt the application process and return to it at any time until you submit. Complete, review, and submit your information. Once submitted, your information will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. Select an appointment date to take the HROT at one of Pearson VUE's test centers. The test is an important part of the selection process, covering the Job Knowledge, English Expression, and Situational Judgment necessary to perform the functions of this position. If you are having technical difficulty with the application process, please contact the Pearson VUE Customer Service Desk by calling 1-888-671-2197 (toll free), 1-952-905-7483 (toll), or by utilizing the Chat function at www.pearsonvue.com. The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time and is closed on local holidays.
Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS.*
- Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
- Meet the minimum medical qualification standard.
- Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
- Be at least 20 years old to apply
- at least 21 years old to be appointed.
- Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).***