Summary

This position is located in the Office of Inspector General, Office of Mission Support - Human Resources Directorate. The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. We consist of auditors, program analysts, investigators, and others with extensive expertise. Although we are a part of EPA, Congress provides us with our funding separate from the agency, to ensure our independence.

Duties

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As a HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & PERFORMANCE) GS-0201-13 your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:

• Serves as technical expert on performance and conduct-based actions and related employee
  relations program policies and practices. Responds to program issues where there is the potential
  for serious impact on the OIG's mission. Assesses the impact of new practices and/or the pursuit of
  certain actions that could have a perceived impact on the OIG or the Federal government. Develops
  solutions to extremely complicated, complex or non-standard problems that may have the potential to
  impact numerous employees and/or major OIG programs;
• Prepares reports and makes recommendations and decisions that involve precedent-setting cases
  that may affect the policies and programs of outside organizations. Conciliates remedies in cases
  that are likely to result in precedent decisions. Prepares comprehensive investigation reports that
  summarize investigative activities;
• Serves as advisor and consultant on performance management issues. Provides managers with
  interpretation of the agency's performance management procedures, practices, policies, and
  guidelines. Counsels managers on performance situations, including cases with the potential to
  generate administrative or negotiated agreement grievances, EEO complaints, performance-based
  adverse actions, etc.;
• Plans, coordinates and conducts special studies of employee relations policies, issues, and
  practices, including performance evaluation ratings, awards and adverse actions;
• Researches case law to ensure that actions are appropriate and legally defensible. Devises
  organizational case strategies, prepares and/or reviews documentation of adverse action cases and presents and defends
  the agency's technical position before third parties;
• Provides expert level advice in the area of performance management. Serves as a trouble-shooter,
  providing authoritative advice and guidance on problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted
  methods; recommendations and decisions are characterized by breadth and importance;
• Provides key consultative performance management advice and services to managers, supervisors,
  senior level officials, and employees involving the full spectrum of human resources policies,
  programs, processes, and procedures;
• Reviews and advises management on performance plans and provides technical information on
  performance management systems. Interprets agency policies and provides advice on other human
  resources issues that align with performance management; and
• Provides expert advice on policy, directives, and guidelines on a full range of matters pertinent
  to performance management and/or performance management. Recognizes recurrence of similar
  unprecedented and highly controversial problems. Develops or proposes new or revised agency
  approach. Anticipates problems that management may encounter, and accomplishes preventive human
  resources management projects to best serve management's goals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Résumé and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period

Qualifications

All applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.

You may qualify for the GS-13 grade level, if you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal sector, or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position your specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

1.) Independently provides advice, guidance, and assistance to varying levels of management officials on a full range of GS performance management and conduct issues to include, but not limited to reviewing, fully drafting, and advising management on performance management

plans, providing interpretations and guidance on highly complex issues, addressing informal performance and conduct counseling, and

drafting performance improvement plans (PIPs) and preparation of disciplinary and adverse action, grievance, and appeal letters; 2.) Delivering virtual, on-site, and off-site trainings; 3.) Advises managers on appropriate performance and disciplinary corrective action techniques that were responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems; 4.) Draft and revise policy as it relates to performance and conduct; and 5.) Serve as a subject matter expert on all matters surrounding GS program and policy as it relates to performance and conduct.

Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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.

Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position within thirty (30) days of the closing date of this announcement.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-andpolicy/college-accreditation.

Additional information

Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.

All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking reference and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.

Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

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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.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

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.