Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits) HR Navigator

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 8am-4:30pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for 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.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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 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 the role. 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 drivers 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 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.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 07/29/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience GS-5: 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are 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.
  • Prepares and types various 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 4 years above high school OR
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience
• Specialized Experience GS-6: 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:
  • Serving as an onboarding point of contact for selectees and coordinating pre-employment requirements.
  • 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 HR customer support and triaging inquiries.
  • Submitting and tracking HR troubleshooting tickets.
  • Using HR information 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 Managements website at

Required Experience:

Junior IC