Lead Human Resources Specialist (Recruitment & Placement) (IS-0201-14)

Application Deadline: 14 March 2025

Department: Office of Human Resources

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $142,488 - $161,486 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: February 28, 2025
CLOSING DATE: March 14, 2025 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Two (2) Years
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all Qualified Applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.


• Complete a Probationary Period.


• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.


• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.


• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

This position is located in the Trust Branch of the Office of Human Resources (OHR), Undersecretary for Finance and Administration, Smithsonian Institution (SI).

SI is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex that is dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. OHR leads and supports the Smithsonian's museums, research and education centers in hiring and developing and retaining a talented workforce. The incumbent of this position will serve as the Team Lead for the Trust Branch with the responsibility of overseeing the recruitment process for trust-funded positions within SI.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Trust Program Evaluation

• As a senior specialist, provides expert guidance and assistance to the Trust Branch Manager and staff regarding mission related functions and action items. Serves as the focal point on Trust staffing initiatives, providing technical program direction to the OHR. Provides the full range of staffing services and policy interpretation and alternative planning objectives to supervisors, managers, and senior SI officials as needed.


• Provides expert staff advice, interpretation, assistance, consultation, and information on SI policies and programs related to work involving Trust recruiting, examining, selecting and placing employees; particularly when the policies are unclear, unprecedented or controversial. Leads projects and studies in support of human resources management life cycles, requirements, accessions, development, sustainment and separation.


• Analyzes SI, and other sources Human Resources laws, regulations, directives, and issuances to determine institution impact and to advise SI management. Assists in formulating OHR's position on Trust staffing issues. Provides extensive advice to HR staff and management on the analysis and resolution of difficult and precedent setting staffing matters and/or which have significant resource implications. Continually advises the Trust Branch Manager on strategies for problem solving and process improvements, as well as continuous improvement in program areas, responsiveness to customer needs, and improved effectiveness of the OHR.


• Conducts evaluations of the Trust Hiring Program to assess compliance with established


• guidance, identify areas for improvement, and to reduce the time the overall time to fill Trust- funded positions.


• Analyzes and evaluates the Trust Branch progress towards meeting OHR operational goals. Participates in the preparation for internal/external reviews and audits and provides feedback on reports of findings.

Technical Advisory

• Serves as technical advisor and subject matter providing expert advisory services to SI senior leaders and others on a variety of complex Trust program activities (including promotions, workforce shaping practices and plans, and recruitment strategies), as well as authoritative policy interpretations in the Trust system(s).


• Provides strategic advice to staff, managers and supervisors in workforce planning/management as needed to attract, develop, manage and retain a high-quality workforce to meet current and future institution needs.


• Responds to difficult issues involving complex problems and/or concerns, recommends solutions and alternative approaches.

Team Leadership

• Oversees the daily operations of the Trust recruitment team, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.


• Fosters a collaborative and inclusive team environment, promoting open communication and teamwork.


• Leads team projects and studies related to Trust hiring initiates, designs, communicates and manages team-based assignments/projects related to applicant tracking system. Articulates and communicates to the team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, milestones and program issues under review. Provides resources and time frames for completion.


• Provides technical advice to the team members to resolve the most difficult and controversial Trust recruitment problems including defining issues and identifying the most effective approach and


• technique to validate the correctness and propriety of the actions taken. Ensures that OHR's


• mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's


• strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.


• Provides input and recommendation to the supervisor in identifying, distributing and balancing workload and tasks among the team in accordance with established workflow, leadership priorities and ongoing or proposed projects to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work and projects, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality have been met.


• Provides periodic input on team and individual work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks and work processes and individual and team training needs. Researches and applies a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods to identify, assess, analyze and improve team effectiveness, efficiency and work products.


• Trains or arranges for the training of team members in newly developed guidance, procedures, directives, methods and techniques to accomplish tasks or projects.


• Maintains program and administrative reference materials, project files and relevant background documents and makes available policies, procedures and written instructions from the supervisor. Maintains current knowledge to answer questions from team members on procedures, policies


• and directives.

Training

• Conducts and facilitates applicant tracking system training for team, and customers. Formulates training plans, content and materials related to recruitment and hiring. Collaborates with SI counterparts, leaders and managers, OHR training staff to review and revise training methods and curricula and delivery methods to ensure training is both cost effective and efficient in meeting strategic goals.
  

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Mastery knowledge of a wide range of HR topics relating to recruitment and staffing to provide


• expert level advice and to lead a team in the develop of complex Trust hiring strategies.


• Mastery of advanced HR management principles, concepts, regulations and practices, analytical methods and techniques and seasoned consultative skill sufficient to resolve HR management problems not susceptible to standard methods and practices.


• Expert skill in leading, planning, organizing and managing large, high visibility projects implemented over several months or years. Knowledge of the principles, methods and tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating and managing projects and resources.


• Skill in analyzing complex programs and develop recommendations for new or substantially modified approaches to execute these programs.


• Skill in effectively presenting complex ideas and options to a wide range of audiences in order to tactfully and persuasively communicate controversial changes.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OHRTrustBranch@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.