Become an HR STAR with VA’s new human resources training program

If you’re ready to start your human resources (HR) career, consider VA’s HR Specialist Training and Accelerated Readiness (HR STAR) program.

A new way to learn HR

HR STAR is a one-year, fully virtual training program, with a curriculum that addresses the critical skill sets and training required to become a human resources specialist at VA. You’ll be paired with a preceptor, a mentor dedicated to monitoring and supporting your success as you navigate through the program.

Under your preceptor’s supervision, you’ll work from home and receive robust foundational training to prepare you for the HR work in a large, national health care system. The curriculum includes formal training and the ability to also apply new skills in scenario-based training. As you progress, you’ll even tackle live assignments with the assistance of your preceptor as a potential pathway to your VA career.

You’ll be placed into a regional human resources office after successful completion of the 12-month program, though you will continue to do your work virtually.

Choose your specialty

The HR STAR program will train you to meet the most critical needs at VA, offering you a chance to explore one of two specialized career tracks:

• Recruitment, placement, and compensation (RPC): Find the right people for the right roles. Help people join our team and embrace the mission of serving those who have served.
• Employee labor relations and performance management (ELP): Advise supervisors and management officials as to appropriate actions to correct employee concerns and effective labor management.

Career field tracks begin at four-week intervals throughout the year, and your training is entirely virtual, offering you a chance to learn from the comfort of your own home.

Benefits of a VA career

In addition to these positions being entirely remote, the HR STAR program offers you a fantastic opportunity to start your career with industry-leading benefits.

You’ll receive a paid salary and a training/travel stipend as you apply your new skills to supporting our team. Also, as a VA employee, you can choose from a variety of high-quality health care and life insurance options, and we’ll help you plan for the future with access to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), life insurance and long-term care insurance.

Beyond the personal benefits, you’ll be joining an organization that values you and your contributions. At VA, our core values — integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence — define who we are as VA employees and how we will fulfill our mission to care for Veterans. Together, these values provide a measure for the standards expected of all VA employees, reminding everyone that “I CARE.”

Work at VA

If you are a recent graduate who has completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree, now is the time to start your VA career by learning more about the HR STAR program.

• EXPLORE the HR STAR program.
• LEARN about the benefits of a VA career.
• READ about our mission and values.
• EMAIL VHANationalRecruitmentCenter@va.gov for more information.

NOTE: Positions listed in this post were open at the time of publication. All current available positions are listed at USAJobs.gov.

This story was edited on 8/18/22 with updated links after the application window had closed.