Merit System Services Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Talent Management Specialist independently provides comprehensive staffing and recruitment support throughout the federal hiring lifecycle. Serving as a trusted advisor to management officials, this position ensures recruitment actions are executed efficiently, accurately, and in compliance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations, merit system principles, and agency hiring policies. The role supports workforce planning, recruitment strategy development, candidate assessment, hiring operations, onboarding activities, and workforce reporting. 

Key Responsibilities 

Recruitment & Staffing Advisory Services 

• Advise management officials on federal recruitment and staffing strategies to meet workforce needs. 

• Provide guidance on hiring authorities, recruitment flexibilities, and workforce planning initiatives. 

• Consult with hiring managers regarding position requirements, recruitment approaches, and candidate qualification standards. 

• Recommend appropriate hiring methods, including Delegated Examining (DEU), Merit Promotion, Direct Hire Authority, and special hiring programs. 

• Support student employment, internship, Pathways, and recent graduate hiring programs. 

Federal Hiring Operations 

• Conduct job analyses to identify critical duties, competencies, and qualification requirements. 

• Develop and post vacancy announcements through USA Staffing and USAJOBS. 

• Create assessment questionnaires and applicant evaluation criteria. 

• Develop crediting plans and rating methodologies consistent with federal staffing regulations. 

• Review and evaluate applications to determine eligibility and qualifications. 

• Apply veterans' preference and other statutory hiring requirements. 

• Prepare and issue referral certificates to selecting officials. 

• Coordinate selection documentation and hiring determinations. 

Candidate Assessment & Qualification Review 

• Evaluate candidate qualifications against OPM qualification standards and agency requirements. 

• Verify specialized experience, education, certifications, and eligibility criteria. 

• Review merit promotion eligibility, time-in-grade requirements, and qualification determinations. 

• Ensure hiring actions are conducted in accordance with merit-based hiring principles. 

• Maintain accurate documentation supporting qualification and ranking decisions. 

Onboarding & New Hire Support 

• Coordinate end-to-end hiring activities from selection through entrance-on-duty. 

• Prepare tentative and final offer letters. 

• Support salary setting, incentives, and onboarding documentation. 

• Coordinate with security, personnel processing, payroll, and onboarding teams. 

• Communicate hiring status updates to managers and candidates throughout the recruitment process. 

• Ensure timely completion of pre-employment and onboarding requirements. 

HR Systems & Records Management 

• Maintain staffing case files and supporting documentation for audit readiness and regulatory compliance. 

• Utilize HR systems including USA Staffing, FPPS, eOPF, and related workforce management applications. 

• Track and manage recruitment actions throughout the hiring lifecycle. 

• Ensure personnel records and staffing data are complete, accurate, and current. 

• Support records management efforts in accordance with federal regulations and agency policy. 

Reporting & Workforce Analytics 

• Analyze workforce and HR data to identify trends, forecast staffing needs, detect data quality issues, and develop recommendations. 

• Translate workforce analytics and reporting insights into actionable information that supports informed decision-making. 

Core Competencies 

• Federal Staffing & Recruitment 

• Workforce Planning 

• Talent Acquisition 

• Applicant Assessment & Qualification Review 

• Regulatory Compliance 

• Human Capital Consulting 

• HR Information Systems 

• Customer Service & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Data Analysis & Reporting 

• Project and Process Management 

Required Qualifications 

• Five plus years of proven experience supporting federal staffing and recruitment activities. 

• Working knowledge of OPM staffing regulations, merit system principles, and federal hiring procedures. 

• Understanding of Delegated Examining (DEU) and Merit Promotion processes. 

• Experience reviewing applicant qualifications and applying federal qualification standards. 

• Experience using USA Staffing, FPPS, eOPF, and USAJOBS. 

• Strong customer service, communication, and consulting skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple recruitment actions simultaneously while meeting deadlines. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HR information systems. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience as a Human Resources Specialist (0201) or equivalent federal staffing professional. 

• Working knowledge of federal classification principles and position management. 

• Familiarity with special hiring authorities, veterans' preference, and Pathways Programs. 

• Experience supporting high-volume federal recruitment operations. 

Salary: $90,000 – 120,000 commensurate with experience 

Disclosures: Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. In addition, as a government contractor FMP follows federal guidelines which forbid drug use regardless of individual state laws. 
EEO: All qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or other legally protected status. 
Culture Statement: We are committed to an inclusive and positive culture that supports all employees. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and seek to create an environment that embraces innovation and information sharing in a safe and inclusive space. This isn’t just a smart business practice; it is a fundamental characteristic of the organization we want to be and an area where we continue to learn and grow.