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: (1) As a centralized onboarding and workforce navigation resource within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA); (2) providing Tier 1 HR support to current employees, connecting customers with appropriate HR teams responsive to customers' queries; and (3) 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 The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Requirements
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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How you will be evaluated
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.