Civil Service Staffing Lead - CSS Lead

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Kentro is hiring a Civil Service Staffing Lead. The Civil Service Staffing (CSS) Lead serves as the senior technical and supervisory authority over USAID’s delegated examining, merit promotion, and other staffing programs for civil service positions GS‑15 and below. The incumbent manages a team of staffing professionals, ensures compliance with OPM and USAID hiring policies, and leads workforce planning, recruitment, and placement strategies that align with agency priorities. The CSS Lead acts as a key advisor to senior leadership, providing authoritative guidance on staffing policy, process improvement, and program compliance.

Responsibilities:

Supervisory & Leadership (25%)

• Lead and supervise a team of staffing specialists responsible for civil service recruitment and placement.
• Set performance expectations, provide regular feedback, conduct evaluations, and implement development plans.
• Resolve employee concerns, administer discipline when appropriate, and promote a high-performance, inclusive, and compliant workplace.
• Ensure team members receive appropriate training and comply with safety, EEO, and affirmative action policies.

Civil Service Staffing Program Management (25%)

• Oversee the Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) and merit promotion programs, ensuring compliance with OPM regulations, veterans’ preference requirements, and agency policy.
• Monitor staffing processes for efficiency and implement improvements to meet time-to-hire goals.
• Provide oversight and final signature authority for civil service personnel actions.
• Prepare for and lead internal and external staffing audits (e.g., OPM HCASS reviews).

Strategic Workforce Planning & Analysis (25%)

• Conduct nationwide workforce assessments, including retirement projections, diversity metrics, retention trends, and labor market analysis.
• Recommend strategies to attract and retain a highly skilled, diverse workforce.
• Serve as USAID’s representative on interagency and cross-functional work groups addressing complex recruitment and staffing issues.
• Develop policies, standard operating procedures, and best practices for civil service staffing programs.

Advisory & Policy Guidance (25%)

• Provide authoritative advisory services to HR staff, managers, and executives on staffing regulations and hiring strategies.
• Interpret and apply complex federal laws, executive orders, and agency directives related to staffing and placement.
• Advise on program impacts of legislative or regulatory changes, drafting policy recommendations as needed.
• Lead program improvement initiatives across multiple HR disciplines to enhance service delivery.

Location: Remote, must be willing and able to be on-site in VA on a regular basis

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent federal HR experience may substitute for education.

• Experience:
• Minimum 10 years of progressive federal HR staffing experience, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or team lead capacity.
• Demonstrated mastery of OPM Delegated Examining and Merit Promotion rules, veterans’ preference regulations, and workforce planning methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead staffing audits and implement corrective action plans.
• Experience advising senior executives on complex staffing and policy matters.
• Skills:
• Expert knowledge of federal staffing regulations, policies, and automated hiring systems (e.g., USA Staffing).
• Strong leadership, conflict resolution, and team management abilities.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable recommendations.
• Ex