National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Human Resources Specialist - Full Performance Level

Continuous Announcement - Chantilly, VA - Full Time

WE ARE THE NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at NRO.gov.

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen
  • You must be 18 years of age or older
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations
Where You Will Work 

The NRO Office of Human Resources (OHR) is a strategic partner delivering integrated people solutions to develop, strengthen, and sustain the NRO workforce. Our mission is to collectively define, fulfill, and measure the human capital and employee related needs of the organization.

OHR provides substantive advice across a full range of HR functional areas to include workforce planning, talent acquisition, security in processing, staffing, employee development, compensation, benefits, policy, performance management, rewards and recognition, and retention. The HR Specialist partners with senior managers to develop, implement, and influence HR policies, plans and strategies that align with NRO and Intelligence Community talent initiatives.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level (GG-12/13), Human Resource Specialists, occupational series 0201. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

This is a continuous announcement.

Who May Apply
  • This position is open to the public.
  • Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
  • Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
  • The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
  • This position may not qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.
What You Will Be Doing  

As an experienced HR Specialist, the selectee will:
  • Provide consultative and advisory services and/or policy interpretation on highly complex agency-wide HR issues in one or more of the HR Functions as listed above.
  • Review and evaluate organizational activities and advises management regarding the accomplishments and evaluation of program goals. 
  • Provide comprehensive and in-depth advice and guidance to applicants, employees, managers, and supervisors on civilian personnel regulations, policies, and procedures; and recommends solutions to personnel-related problems and issues.
  • Perform workforce analysis, monitor trends and keeps the HR leadership informed of issues, possible effects, and potential problems in the civilian workforce.
  • Assist managers with planning and implementing reorganization that typically involve major mission changes and realignment of all/most positions and personnel, as well as identifying positions to be reclassified prior to making such changes.
  • Participate in Directorates & Offices (D&Os) staff visits, internal and external briefings, meetings, etc., where human resources issues are discussed to increase awareness.
  • Assess and promote the overall quality, effectiveness and efficiency of HR program operations throughout the D&Os.
  • Manage, plan, initiate, monitor, and evaluate the NRO Cadre’s civilian personnel management actions. Initiate and/or approve requests for personnel actions (RPAs) for the NRO Cadre workforce.
  • Work with other HR offices (e.g. personnel, finance, payroll, etc.) to ensure personnel actions and entitlements are correctly and timely administered.
  • Coordinate and conduct in-depth studies of special interest to identify and recommend solutions to problems.
  • Develop guidance, procedures, and standards for new and/or changing program areas.
  • Analyze and evaluate program execution for the organization; recognize problem areas; and originate solutions to complex and unusual issues.
  • Research HR laws, policies, regulations and reference materials, analyzes information, selects appropriate approach, and recommends corrective action.
  • Identify the need for and initiate special projects and studies. Ensure final products meet stated objectives, address pertinent issues, and reflect an understanding of the impact of the final product/project and its impact to the organization.
What You Need 
  • Comprehensive knowledge and use of the full range of personnel activities to include one or more of the following functional areas:  recruitment, workforce/position management staffing, performance management, awards and recognition, HR data systems, employee benefits, entitlements and allowances, promotion process and employee training and development.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of HR principles, concepts, regulations and practices, analytical methods and techniques, and seasoned consultative skills sufficient to:  provide advisory service and develop policy interpretations to resolve HR problems.
  • Ability to persuade management officials to accept and implement recommendations where the proposals involve substantial resources or require changes in established procedures and methods; evaluate and recommend overall plans and proposals for HR programs.
  • Proven ability to advise and assist management officials and personnel on general and specialized aspects of civilian personnel programs and to keep abreast of program changes resulting from initiatives of the DoD, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and other appropriate authorities within the IC.
Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume. 

Desired Qualifications
  • Desired education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Human Capital Management.
Other Information
  • Overtime Statement:  MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Travel Statement:  MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • Financial Disclosure:  MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
Location

Chantilly, VA 20151

Telework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).

Salary

2024 salary range for the Washington, DC area:

GG-12 $99,200 – $128,956. 

GG-13 $117,962 – $153,354. 

**This position is an entry level/full performance level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position.  To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG – 12/13 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a two-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.  If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring organization directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
  • An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
  • An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
  • An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to [email protected].

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974 
 

Apply: Human Resources Specialist - Full Performance Level
* Required fields
First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Location
Phone number*
Resume*

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or paste resume

Paste your resume here or attach resume file

Are you a U.S. Citizen?*
Are you 18 years of age or older?*
Unless noted, NRO positions are NOT telework eligible. Are you willing to work at the location specified in the announcement?*
Current federal employee's must be at or above the grade level listed in the announcement to be eligible to apply for this position. If you are a current federal employee, do you meet this requirement?

If you are not a current federal employee (e.g. contractor, military personnel, other private sector employee) please select "N/A" as your answer.*
If you are a current federal employee, what is your current grade & step

If you are NOT a current federal employee, please enter N/A*
What is your highest education level?*
For your highest level of education, please list your major(s). Multiple majors can be separated by commas. Enter N/A if high school/GED is your highest level of education.*
For your highest level of education beyond high school, what school did you attend?*
This position may require occasional travel or overtime. Are you be able to meet this requirement?*
Are you a former federal employee?*
If you are former federal employee, what is highest grade and step that you held? If you are not a former federal employee, please enter N/A.*
This position may not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant. Are you a Reemployed Federal Annuitant?*
How did you hear about the NRO?*
Have you previously worked for the NRO as either an employee, contractor or military personnel?*
What motivated/attracted you to apply to the NRO? (Please choose up to 3).
If you selected "Other" to the question above, please describe your motivation/attraction to apply to the NRO.
Are you a claiming a military Service-connected disability of 30 percent or more?*
Do you have an active security clearance and polygraph? Please select all that apply.*
Please attach a PDF copy of your resume (Please include all relevant experience).*
The following questions are entirely optional.
To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Gender
Race/Ethnicity

Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status
I IDENTIFY AS ONE OR MORE OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROTECTED VETERAN LISTED ABOVE
I AM NOT A PROTECTED VETERAN
I DON’T WISH TO ANSWER

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:
YES, I HAVE A DISABILITY, OR HAVE HAD ONE IN THE PAST
NO, I DO NOT HAVE A DISABILITY AND HAVE NOT HAD ONE IN THE PAST
I DO NOT WANT TO ANSWER

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Name Date
Human Check*