HR Specialist (Employee Relations/Labor Relations)

Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO), Human Resources Management and Services (HRMS). The primary purpose of this position is to provide advice and assistance in matters related to conduct, performance, attendance, and dispute resolution and establish and maintain effective relationships with labor organizations that represent federal employees. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities As a HR Specialist (Employee Relations/Labor Relations), GS-0201-13, your typical work assignments may include: Serving as an Employee Relations (ER) Specialist on employee relations programs including policy guidance and advice to senior leadership, program managers, other management officials and supervisors within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Providing assistance, interpretation, information, and guidance on employee relations problems and issues which affect organizational goal performance, individual performance, performance appraisal systems, and employee relations training programs. Providing as needed, labor relations support, grievance processing, and unfair labor practice processing. Serving as a technical advisor for disciplinary and adverse action procedures for DHS HQ. Identifying problems in the employee relations program to develop recommended solutions. Studying and analyzing employee relations program laws and regulations in the areas of grievance or appeal procedures, voluntary actions, and performance management as they impact DHS HQ. This announcement will be open for 3 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: Provide technical advice to leadership, program managers, and supervisors on implementing and administering employee relations, conduct, performance, attendance, and dispute resolution programs. Provide authoritative policy interpretations on controversial or unprecedented employee relations issues to develop policy guidance. Conduct reviews to evaluate and resolve operating issues and problems. Develop and deliver briefings, project papers, and supervisory training to educate audience on employee relations. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment (“position occupied” block 34 on the SF-50 should show a “1”), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Education Not Applicable Additional Information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=ReasonableAccommodationsforUSAHire Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. This position is being filled at the full performance level. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this Non-Critical Sensitive position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.