Supervisory Human Resources Specialist (OWCP)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/19/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above. To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria: Criteria 1 - Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Researching and interpreting legal and regulatory program guidance to include case law, United States Code, Code of Federal Regulations, and VA Handbooks and Directives in order to apply advanced HR principles, concepts, and practices related to all aspects of employee and labor relations programs, including fact finding or types of inquiries. Experience utilizing analytical and diagnostic techniques and qualitative and quantitative techniques sufficient to identify, evaluate, and recommend to management appropriate HR interventions to resolve complex interrelated HR problems and issues. Advising employees and supervisors of procedures to follow when an injury occurs and inform injured employees of their rights, benefits and responsibilities under the program. Experience utilizing consensus building, negotiating, coalition building, and conflict resolution techniques sufficient to interact appropriately in highly charged emotional situations. Skilled in written and oral communication techniques sufficient to develop and deliver briefings, project papers, status/staff reports, and correspondence to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations. ~OR~ Criteria 2 - Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Extensive knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of Human Resources (HR) concepts, principles, laws, regulations and practices; VA Handbooks and policies, and collective bargaining agreements related to Workers' Compensation; United States Code; Code of Federal Regulations; pertinent state and local laws, codes, safety regulations, including the State Labor Code, Workers Compensation and Americans with Disability Act laws, OSHA, and employment laws, procedures and regulations sufficient to serve as a consultant in providing advice and guidance to managers, employees, union officials, and applicants. Developing and providing professional guidance, education, training, and orientation for managers and employees to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. Providing guidance and counsel to facility and VISN employees, managers and supervisors regarding their rights, responsibilities and requirements under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) immediately following the first report of work-related injury or illness. Evaluating all claims against the five required elements of a compensable claim, i.e., Time elements, federal employee status, Fact of Injury (factual), Fact of Injury (medical, diagnosis), Performance of Duty, and Causal Relationship. Representing and acting on behalf of the facility and agency workers' compensation program, both orally and in writing (including monitoring active cases and responding to correspondence, including providing appeals and other information pertinent to each case).

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: HR Specialist Total Rewards The overall responsibilities of the Supervisory HR Specialist (OWCP) include, but are not limited to: Developing and managing the VISN Workers' Compensation Program. Actively facilitating methods and techniques to reduce and prevent unnecessary and costly expenditures related to the VISN Workers' Compensation Program. Ensure productive duty assignments for injured workers as soon as medically possible. Ensure all VISN supervisors are provided with training opportunities for their roles and responsibilities related to the Workers' Compensation Program. Interfacing with physicians, attorneys, employees, and management staff; making recommendations regarding aspects of decisions related to workers' compensation cases; coordinating return-to-work plans; coordinating and monitoring rehabilitation plans for injured employees; evaluating results of medical examinations and making appropriate determinations. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints. Evaluate problems and take appropriate action to resolve issues/concerns. Advise employees and supervisors of procedures to follow when an injury occurs and inform injured employees of their rights, benefits and responsibilities under the program. Stay abreast of trends and innovations in the field of workers' compensation administration and keeps current on legislative and regulatory issues at the State and Federal levels. Establishing and ensuring standards and procedures for all matters relating to workers' compensation regulations, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, and strategies are implemented throughout the VISN. Ensuring locally developed policy complies with applicable laws and regulations as well as VA and VHA policy. Identifying, evaluating, and assessing probability and severity of losses; developing, implementing and monitoring VISN-wide cost containment strategies to prevent and minimize losses. Attend and conduct meetings; lead or participate in discussions regarding workers' compensation issues; represent VISN Workers' Compensation Program before external groups and agencies and appeal boards. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, prepares schedules for completion of work, assigns work to subordinates and/or leads based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments and capabilities of employees, evaluates work performance of subordinates. Implement and review performance measures and collaborate with subordinates to develop action plans to address areas of inefficiency and improvement. Perform quality case review and regular consultation with subordinates on complex administrative cases, congressional correspondence, and other written program responses. Develop and provide subordinates with professional guidance, education, training, and orientation to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-Hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Human Resources Specialist (OWCP)/PD99961S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.