Summary This position serves as the VISN 16 Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the VISN 16 Senior Executive Leadership Team. The position is located within the VISN 16 Network and the selectee will be required to report to either the VISN 16 office in Ridgeland, MS or, if highly qualified, may negotiate reporting to one of VISN 16's VA facilities/offices located in Alexandria, LA; Biloxi, MS; Fayetteville, AR; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Little Rock, AR; New Orleans, LA; or Shreveport, LA. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: HR Specialist Total Rewards The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16 Chief Human Resources Officer has delegated appointing authority and responsibility to manage and direct the human resources program for a large and complex VISN, which includes and supports geographically separated Medical Centers/Healthcare Systems and outpatient sites of care. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Human Resources Program Management Serves as an advisor and consultant to VISN 16 top management at facilities and executives in the VISN office Advocates and influences the acceptance and administration of sound human resources (HR) management concepts, practices, and personnel innovations in day-to-day operations and acts as a consultant and partner with management Provides advice, consultative service, and guidance to all supervisory levels throughout the VISN on human resources management principles, techniques, acceptable personnel practices, as well as statutory, regulatory, and procedural requirements from agencies/organizations Develops information and prepares special or recurring reports and studies related to the total human resources program or specific HR areas for the HRO and executive management Reviews draft regulations, standards, or other guidance for their impact on VISN 16's regional HR program Identifies long and short-range needs and formulates proposals for top management consideration, and plans and initiates improvement actions for VISN-wide implementation and quality attainment Monitors HR Admin/Network Director performance plan metrics to ensure any issues are identified and fully addressed and reports on findings and the procedures established or improved in response to them Serves as key resource on issues such as realignments and reorganizations and supports HR information systems Evaluates budget and forecasts FTEE to carry out HR responsibilities VISN-wide Supervision of Human Resources Teams Exercises independent judgment to administratively and technically direct and mentor the work of virtual/remote and non-virtual/remote subordinate direct reports Sets and ensures implementation of HR functional areas' team goals Schedules HR group and individual trainings or face-to-face workshops; coordinates funding approval and prepares agendas and presentations as needed Counsels employees on behavior and initiates disciplinary actions if required and takes corrective action to resolve escalated staff performance problems Works with Chiefs to maintain a continuous review of the organizational structure and personnel ceilings of the HR services under supervision Human Resources Program Oversight Recruitment and Placement (R&P): Responsible for a responsive, consultative, and focused R&P program that ensures VISN-wide supervisors receive expert technical guidance and service Employee/Labor Relations: Responsible for program oversight and responsibility for staff assignments that require analyzing and evaluating controversial and complex projects or cases Classification Support: Accountable for the impact of specific classification actions and findings into specific corrective actions Compensation: Responsible for the HR organization's administration of innovative HR compensation, pay, and salary options of a complex, technologically oriented healthcare network with diverse work forces Work-life Benefits & OWCP: Responsible for program oversight and HR staff's interpretation of directives and regulations for many different and unrelated programs, processes, and methods Duty Location: The preferred duty location for this position is the VISN Office in Ridgeland, MS. Physical assignment to one of VISN 16's VA facilities/offices located in Alexandria, LA; Biloxi, MS; Fayetteville, AR; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Little Rock, AR; New Orleans, LA; or Shreveport, LA is negotiable for highly qualified candidates. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Officer - VISN 16/PD99767S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/25/2024. 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-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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-15 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-13 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: experience overseeing, to include planning, managing, and directing, the overall delivery of a federal civilian human resources (HR) program involving staffing, recruitment and placement, position management, classification, labor and employee relations, automated human resources information systems, benefits administration, pay/compensation, and reasonable accommodations; developing and executing long-range plans/goals for sustainment and improvement of federal human resources service delivery; managing the distribution of HR staff workload to meet the missions of serviced customers; developing and/or advising senior organizational leaders on HR policies and administration; and collaborating with senior organizational leaders to convey overall HR processes, procedures, and internal policies for compliance. ~OR~ Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 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: experience overseeing, to include planning, managing, and directing, the overall delivery of a federal civilian human resources (HR) program involving staffing, recruitment and placement, position management, classification, labor and employee relations, automated human resources information systems, benefits administration, pay/compensation, and reasonable accommodations; developing and executing long-range plans/goals for sustainment and improvement of federal human resources service delivery; managing the distribution of HR staff workload to meet the missions of serviced customers; developing and/or advising senior organizational leaders on HR policies and administration; and collaborating with senior organizational leaders to convey overall HR processes, procedures, and internal policies for compliance. Education Qualifying education for the GS-0201 series includes courses and programs in HR, HR development, HR management, business, business management/administration, industrial relations, labor relations, industrial psychology, organizational psychology, organizational development, management, organizational behavior, pre-law/law, legal studies, health care management/administration, public administration, public policy, human services, leadership and/or humanities. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F1; Human Resources Specialist Qualification Standards GS-0201. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected and determined to meet the definition of HCP, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.