[Hiring] HR Specialist – Payroll & Processing Support @A P Ventures

Role Description

APV is seeking a Payroll & Processing Specialist to provide full-performance level support to DHS OCHCO and component HR offices. The Payroll & Processing Specialist independently performs the full range of routine and moderately complex personnel action processing, pay corrections, T&A support, and customer service activities. This role applies to the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, Title 5 pay authorities, FLSA, and DHS policy with limited supervision. The Payroll & Processing Specialist drafts standard SF-50s and SF-52s, processes routine pay corrections, performs quality reviews, and escalates complex or precedent-setting issues to senior personnel.

Duties

• Personnel Action Processing
  • Process the full range of routine personnel actions, including appointments, conversions, promotions, reassignments, details, within-grade increases, separations, and retirements.
  • Apply the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions (GPPA) to ensure correct NOAC selection, legal authority citation, effective date determination, and remarks language.
  • Prepare SF-50s and SF-52s with accurate position, pay plan, series, grade, step, salary, and authority data.
  • Verify time-in-grade, qualifications, and supporting documentation prior to processing actions.
  • Maintain accurate processing logs, supporting documentation, and audit-ready case files.
• Pay Administration & Routine Corrections
  • Process routine pay corrections, including missed within-grade increases, premium pay reconciliations, leave audit corrections, and shift differential adjustments.
  • Process step increases, locality adjustments, and special rate updates in accordance with established schedules.
  • Support back pay calculations and retroactive corrections under senior review.
  • Coordinate routine debt collection notifications and offset processing under SOP.
  • Process lump-sum annual leave payments, severance pay, and routine final salary calculations.
• T&A Support & NFC Coordination
  • Process T&A corrections, leave audits, and pay-related adjustments through webTA and NFC environments.
  • Coordinate routine NFC service requests, error corrections, and processing window management.
  • Reconcile pay records with personnel actions to identify routine discrepancies and drive corrections.
  • Support end-of-year processing, leave-year transitions, and tax-related corrections under senior direction.
  • Maintain accurate processing logs and supporting documentation.
• Quality Reviews, Customer Service & Process Adherence
  • Perform routine quality reviews of SF-50s, SF-52s, and pay corrections using established scoring rubrics; flag deficiencies for senior review.
  • Respond to employee, manager, and HR partner inquiries on processing status, pay, and personnel actions with clear, plain-language guidance.
  • Document customer interactions, follow-up actions, and case notes accurately and consistently.
  • Support case calibration sessions, peer reviews, and quality control activities.
  • Escalate complex, contested, or precedent-setting cases to senior specialists.
• Process Improvement & Knowledge Management
  • Identify recurring processing issues and recommend SOP updates, job aid improvements, and training enhancements.
  • Contribute to SharePoint knowledge repositories, intake forms, status trackers, and standard templates.
  • Support quality control activities, including peer reviews and case file audits.
  • Participate in working groups, lessons-learned reviews, and process mapping sessions.
  • Maintain current knowledge of GPPA, Title 5 pay authorities, and DHS-specific guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field. Equivalent federal payroll and processing experience may substitute based on contract terms.

Requirements

• Minimum 5-7 years of federal HR or payroll experience, including hands-on personnel action processing and pay corrections.
• Working knowledge of the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions; 5 USC Chapters 53, 55, and 57; 5 CFR Parts 530, 531, 550, and 551.
• Hands-on experience with NFC systems, including EmpowHR, EPP/MyEPP, and webTA.
• Demonstrated ability to apply correct NOAC, legal authority, and effective date determinations consistently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear documentation and respond professionally to employees and HR partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a steady workload with limited supervision in a fully remote environment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a High-Risk Public Trust or equivalent federal client access.
• Position requires the current ability to obtain and maintain required access without interruption in alignment with long-term program needs.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting DHS or DHS component HR or payroll offices.
• FPC, CPP, FedHR, or active progress toward federal HR or payroll certification.
• Experience with IRIS, PCC2000, or comparable NFC inquiry tools.
• Experience supporting RIF, reorganization, or transfer-of-function processing.
• Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Online experience supporting case tracking and knowledge management.