What are the responsibilities and job description for the Human Resources Assistant position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
The Human Resources Assistant performs duties in support of Recruitment and Placement, Benefits, Leave and Compensation, Information Systems, and/or Processing. These functions provide critical support to the wide variety of operational activities needed for the agency to perform human resources functions. Selectees will get the chance to work with automated systems, use customer service skills, problem solve, and conduct tasks required for their specialty area.
Qualifications
To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements; Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years. Current students who will complete their degree requirements by 6/30/2026 will be considered. Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met. TRANSCRIPTS are required. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Working in a professional setting performing multiple tasks and shifting priorities such as; reviewing and tracking responses, communicating to internal/external customers through a variety of written and verbal methods. Researching information from current files, archives, reference books/manuals, and other sources. Gathering information and preparing correspondence, reports, and/or spreadsheets. Inputting, editing, and/or retrieving database information. OR Successful completion of 4 years of education above the high school level. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. 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, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:All: Keeps accurate filing system of processed forms.All: Answers correspondence and inquiries; provides advice and guidance on the rules and regulations that pertain to human resources area of specialty.All: Reviews, monitors, and tracks personnel actions; use automated Human Resources Information Systems and applications.Benefits: Receives, reviews and processes a variety of benefit election forms; assembles, prepares and processes benefits packages for retirements and separations.Processing: Receives and processes or distributes a full range of personnel documents; researches and reconciles computer discrepancies.Staffing: Prepares vacancy announcements, evaluates applicants, prepares and distributes the official job offer letter.Leave and Compensation: Supports payroll activities, ensures accurate time and attendance entry, and assists with leave entitlements.Classification: Builds positions; coordinates with NFC on reorganizations, restructuring, and re-titling projects; processes mass realignment actions.
Position Start Date:
04/23/2026
Position Close Date:
04/29/2026
Salary Offered: 44410 - 57734 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
The Human Resources Assistant performs duties in support of Recruitment and Placement, Benefits, Leave and Compensation, Information Systems, and/or Processing. These functions provide critical support to the wide variety of operational activities needed for the agency to perform human resources functions. Selectees will get the chance to work with automated systems, use customer service skills, problem solve, and conduct tasks required for their specialty area.
Qualifications
To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements; Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years. Current students who will complete their degree requirements by 6/30/2026 will be considered. Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met. TRANSCRIPTS are required. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Working in a professional setting performing multiple tasks and shifting priorities such as; reviewing and tracking responses, communicating to internal/external customers through a variety of written and verbal methods. Researching information from current files, archives, reference books/manuals, and other sources. Gathering information and preparing correspondence, reports, and/or spreadsheets. Inputting, editing, and/or retrieving database information. OR Successful completion of 4 years of education above the high school level. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. 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, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:All: Keeps accurate filing system of processed forms.All: Answers correspondence and inquiries; provides advice and guidance on the rules and regulations that pertain to human resources area of specialty.All: Reviews, monitors, and tracks personnel actions; use automated Human Resources Information Systems and applications.Benefits: Receives, reviews and processes a variety of benefit election forms; assembles, prepares and processes benefits packages for retirements and separations.Processing: Receives and processes or distributes a full range of personnel documents; researches and reconciles computer discrepancies.Staffing: Prepares vacancy announcements, evaluates applicants, prepares and distributes the official job offer letter.Leave and Compensation: Supports payroll activities, ensures accurate time and attendance entry, and assists with leave entitlements.Classification: Builds positions; coordinates with NFC on reorganizations, restructuring, and re-titling projects; processes mass realignment actions.
Position Start Date:
04/23/2026
Position Close Date:
04/29/2026
Salary Offered: 44410 - 57734 USD Per Year
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!