HR Career Compass

Federal Human Resources (HR) professionals are responsible for ensuring that agencies have the skilled, mission-ready workforces they need while operating within complex laws, regulations, and policies designed to promote merit, fairness, and transparency. Federal HR professionals are the people engines of work enablement. They design and implement the workforce strategies, staffing efforts, compensation plans, benefits frameworks, and talent management programs that connect agency mission requirements with the people who deliver them.

Federal HR careers are challenging, meaningful, and rewarding. Every day, Federal HR professionals support over 2 million federal workers, directly impacting how taxpayer resources are invested in people. The Federal Government strives to recruit, train, develop, and sustain a highly skilled HR workforce capable of supporting agencies’ critical missions and the American public they serve.

The HR Career Compass is a tool for prospective or current members of the Federal HR Workforce to use when navigating the lifecycles of their career journeys. This resource outlines and guides career pathways while promoting innovation and efficient, effective professional practice.

For feedback or improvement suggestions related to the HR Career Compass, please contact HRskills@opm.gov.