HR Specialist (Employee and Labor Relations)

Departmental Administration

$121K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in employee and labor relations
  • Specialized experience advising on performance and conduct issues
  • Proficient in handling medical and accommodation cases
  • Experience with unfair labor practices and contract compliance
  • Ability to perform complex analytical research and fact-finding

Responsibilities

  • Conduct in-depth research and interviews to resolve employee and labor relations issues
  • Serve as a strategic HR partner providing expert guidance
  • Develop policies for disciplinary actions and grievances
  • Advise on performance management processes and improvement plans
  • Support management in performance evaluations and critical element development

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance plans
  • Life insurance with multiple options
  • Sick leave and vacation time with 11 paid holidays
  • Thrift Savings Plan similar to 401(k)
  • Transit and childcare subsidies
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Training and development opportunities
Full Job Description
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 Washington, DC.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

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  • Independently performs analytical research, fact-finding, interviewing, recommending solutions, and resolving complex, controversial, and sensitive employee and labor relations issues of considerable consequence.
  • Utilizes extended specialized labor and employee relations or administrative training and experience to work on a variety of the most complex employee and labor relations activities and serves as a strategic HR partner to management.
  • Recommends preventative programs that enhance the program, productivity, and morale.
  • Develops and/or participates in the development of procedures for processing disciplinary and adverse actions; performance-based actions; and grievances and appeals; assuring that all actions and procedures are in accordance with current OPM and agency regulations and case law.
  • Provides advice and guidance to management, employees, and lower graded Labor and Employee Relations Specialists regarding the full range of employee and labor relations issues pertaining to performance and conduct including: discipline, adverse actions, leave administration, performance management, awards management/recognition, medical and reasonable accommodation issues, unfair labor practices and contract administration and compliance with negotiated bargaining agreements.
  • Provides advice and guidance to managers/supervisors related to all phases of the performance management process.
  • Assists management in developing critical elements and performance plans and in carrying out the performance management responsibilities.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959


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

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).


If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS-13 salary range starts at $121,785 per year.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Specialized experience is experience providing technical advice, guidance, and consultation in employee and labor relations services across all levels of an organization(s) at the regional and/or local levels on issues pertaining to:

  • Performance and conduct issues, including discipline and adverse actions.
  • Leave administration, performance management, and awards/recognition programs.
  • Handling medical and reasonable accommodation issues.
  • Represent management in unfair labor practice and representation; resolving unfair labor practices, contract administration, and compliance with negotiated bargaining agreements.


Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

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.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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


Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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