HR Specialist (Employee and Labor Relations)

Summary

As an HR Specialist (Employee and Labor Relations), in the Office of Human Resources (OHRM) you will be responsible for providing timely, high-quality customer service, and a full range of expert technical advice, guidance, and consultation in the areas of employee and labor relations services for regional and/or Central Office organizations. This position is located in Columbia, S.C. We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

Advise managers and supervisors on the appropriateness of a disciplinary based action given the severity of the action, the type of offense in question, past practices of the organization, the potential implications/ramifications of the proposed action, unforeseen issues (i.e., medical issues), mitigating factors pertinent to the pending disciplinary case, and alternative options (such as proposing alternative dispute resolution). Provide advice and guidance to managers related to all phases of the performance management process to include performance-based actions. Address complex issues and questions pertaining to hours of work, work schedules, and the leave administration program, including flexible and compressed work schedules, telework, hours of work/provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, leave without pay (LWOP), military leave, annual leave, sick leave, court leave, administrative leave, the leave transfer program, reasonable accommodation, etc. Advise managers and supervisors of their responsibilities under the various steps of both administrative and negotiated grievance procedures. Participate in informal and formal meetings with management and union representatives and provide advice and counsel to managers as to union matters during what can be very sensitive and confrontational meetings with the union and/or the employee.

Requirements

If selected, you must meet the following conditions: 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 or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Serve a one year probationary period, if required. Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level). Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security's e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Qualifications and evaluation

A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the application of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses. Knowledge of employee relations principles, practices, regulations and legislation sufficient to provide technical advice, guidance and options to supervisors and managers regarding a range of disciplinary based actions and third-party case law. Skill in federal performance management principles, regulations, and strategic practices, to provide consultation to supervisors and managers on improving employee performance. Ability to analyze personnel situations and deliver technical advice, strategic guidance, and actionable options to management and supervisors regarding leave administration, hours of work, telework, and medical accommodations. Skill in written communication techniques to draft disciplinary charges for performance-based actions, grievance responses, and to assist in developing the agency's position in response to third party filings to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). Skill in oral communication to present and negotiate sensitive recommendations to managers/supervisors in highly charged emotional cases, to obtain compliance with policies and to articulate positions/policy of technical complexity. Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your application. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process. Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits

You will have access to many benefits including: Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) Life insurance coverage with several options Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) Transit and child care subsidies Flexible spending accounts Long-term care insurance Training and development

How to apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job. If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement. Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details. Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). Need Assistance? Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Required documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit. Resume: Must not exceed two pages. Refer to the Qualifications section for resume requirements. IF YOU ARE: If you are a 30% or more disabled veteran, VEOA or VRA applicant or qualified spouse, widow/widower, or parent: (a) Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows your type of discharge and the dates of your active duty service. (b) If you are a disabled veteran, or are applying under VRA or VEOA as a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran, submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list). If you are active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted). Current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b: (a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years. (b) Copy of your agency's annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s). ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal. Current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50.

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage. On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved: · Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.