Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations)

Summary This job is for you if you are ready to take your career to the next level and support the USPTO in making meaningful change in a robust employee relations program. Responsibilities The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia.This position is telework eligible and is eligible for: Fully remote within 50 miles of the USPTO Alexandria, VA headquarters and the duty station is the authorized telework location (typically your home address) If selected for an interview, applicants are encouraged to discuss telework options and eligibility specific to the position in which they applied with the hiring manager. This position is for you if: Youre interested in providing advice in the areas of employee relations. You can provide key consultative employee relations advice and services to managers, supervisors and employees involving the full spectrum of Human Resources policies, programs, processes and procedures. Youre focused on developing, reviewing and researching policies, directives, and Federal regulations. You use tact, diplomacy and patience when communicating with external and internal customers. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service. GS-12 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service advising management on issues relating to employee relations; experience researching and applying statutory and regulatory guidance, policies, processes and procedures; conducting administrative investigations (collecting evidence, and statements). GS-13 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service interpreting and providing advice on employee relations statutory and regulatory guidance, policies, processes and procedures; experience identifying controversial employee relations issues; experience developing proposals and decision letters on formal disciplinary actions; experience conducting administrative investigations (collecting evidence, and statements). Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Education may not be substituted for experience at this grade level. Additional Information If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. This is a Non Bargaining Unit position. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of “moderate”. Background Investigation – If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a “well qualified” rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Managements Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued. All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. USPTO Job Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at USPTO Reasonable Accommodation. The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTOs Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity via email (oeeod@uspto.gov) or phone (571-272-8292).