Summary

HR Navigator supports the VA Medical Center by providing in-person onboarding assistance, employee HR support, benefits education, and HR systems processing. The role ensures timely hiring, accurate HR data, regulatory compliance, and quality customer service. The position is aligned to the local strategic unit and located on-site, offering direct HR navigation support to staff, managers, and leadership.

Duties

The Human Resources (HR) Navigator serves three primary functions:

• As a centralized onboarding and workforce navigation resource within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA);
• Providing Tier 1 HR support to current employees, connecting customers with appropriate HR teams responsive to customers' queries;
• Providing education, researching and correction of discrepancies, and full range assistant level support for benefits and leave programs across the facility.

The role ensures timely hiring, regulatory compliance, workforce readiness, benefits enrollment education, HR system data accuracy and positive employee experiences for the on-site workforce it serves.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Onboarding and Pre-Employment Coordination

Serves as the primary point of contact for selectees from tentative job offer through Entry on Duty (EOD). Coordinates pre-employment steps with new hires. Helps new employees submit required forms and completes pre-hire checks. Supports scheduling and communication throughout the onboarding process. Monitors and tracks onboarding progress, identifies delays, and ensures timely completion of requirements. Supports the completion of pre-employment requirements such as background checks, fingerprinting, physical exams, drug testing, and driving record reviews, and helps new hires finish any additional steps needed before starting work.

Employee HR Support & Customer Service

Conducts New Employee In-Processing and prepares first-day documentation. Serves as an on-site HR customer support representative handling inquiries via walk-in, phone, email, and ticketing systems. Provides assistance with pay processes, payroll briefings, tax withholding, and direct deposit. Reviews employee records, identifies discrepancies, and gathers information for resolution. Provides assistance to employees regarding HR-related questions and processes. Helps resolve basic HR issues and directs employees to the correct resources. Submits and tracks payroll service requests. Screens and resolves routine HR inquiries and refers complex issues to HR Specialists.

Benefits Program Support

Provides guidance and support to employees on their federal benefit programs, including health insurance, life insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings plans, childcare assistance, and transit benefits. Meets with employees to explain benefits options and provide individualized guidance. Conducts new hire benefits enrollment, reviews forms for accuracy, and uploads required documentation. Supports Open Season communications and enrollment activities. Assists employees with benefits-related changes tied to qualifying life events.

HR Systems Processing

Uploads and verifies documentation in HR systems and the electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). Uses HR systems to submit tickets, process benefits updates, and maintain HR data accuracy. Ensures records and documentation meet compliance requirements.

Promotion Potential:

The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, Administrative Hours (To be discussed during interviews.)

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#:

Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits) - HR Navigator/ PD99237-S and PD99238-S

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI):

Not approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not authorized

Requirements Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Effective May 7, 2025:

Driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program:

Is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position:

You will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest:

We may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period:

Your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/19/2026.

GS-05 Minimum Qualifications:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-04) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying specialized experience would typically include, but is not limited to assisting with tasks such as collecting documentation or reviewing forms for accuracy; providing customer service through phone, email, or walk-in support; using automated systems to enter or retrieve data; supporting administrative processes such as payroll documentation, form completion, or employee inquiry intake; and preparing various types of correspondence, follow-up meeting arrangements, and similar functions required to administer operations.

OR, Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a full four (4) year course of study, above high school, leading to a bachelor's degree in a field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal pre-requisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

OR, Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years.

GS-06 Minimum Qualifications:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying specialized experience would typically include but is not limited to reviewing personnel documents and identifying discrepancies; providing benefits guidance such as Health, Life, Dental, Vision, Retirement, and other benefit programs; conducting benefits enrollment and reviewing forms for accuracy/compliance; providing customer support related to human resources functions; submitting and tracking troubleshooting tickets; and using automated systems to upload documents, maintain data integrity, and process actions.

For more information on these qualification standards:

Please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website.

Physical Requirements:

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The work requires regular and recurring physical activity, including walking throughout the facility to escort candidates and employees to various locations, standing for extended periods during onboarding activities, and navigating between offices and service points. These physical demands are essential to performing the in-person components of this role.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office setting which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work is performed in an on-site facility setting that requires direct interaction with candidates, employees, and multiple support services. The environment necessitates routing presence in various areas of the facility to coordinate onboarding activities and deliver face-to-face HR services. The essential functions of the position cannot be fully performed in a remote or virtual setting due to reliance on physical processes, in-person coordination, and direct customer interaction.

Education:

There is no educational substitution at the GS-06 grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note:

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

Additional information:

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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests:

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave:

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service:

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies:

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

To be qualified:

You must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well-qualified:

Applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job.

Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility:

Is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package:

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.