Supervisory Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Human Resources, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in Washington, DC. You will be responsible for supervising a team of human resources specialist and planning, development, implementation, and administration of programs related to labor management, employee relations, labor relations, awards and suitability.

Duties

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As the Human Resources Specialist (Employee Labor Relations), you will:

• Serve as the senior expert on Employee and Labor Relations for the FRA.
• Plan, develop, and implement streamlined and comprehensive programs related to employee relations, labor relations, suitability, reasonable accommodations, leave programs, including FMLA, awards and employee performance management.
• Develop strategic and tactical program objectives and policy guidance relating to employee relations, discipline, performance management and awards, employment conditions, grievance and appeal procedures, and allowances, and entitlement with the goal of creating a positive employment environment for supervisors and employees to excel.
• Apply a broad knowledge and understanding of the mission and programs of the various FRA components in identifying problems and evaluating possible solutions.
• Represent the FRA Administrator and FRA managers and supervisors in investigating grievances; conducting negotiations and meetings of the parties involved; and in the preparation of responses to specific issues.

The Ideal Candidate is a Senior Human Resources Specialist who is an agency expert with experience in Employee Relations, Labor Relations, and at least one of the following areas: Performance Management, leave administration, Personnel Security. This position is perfect for a senior level human resources specialist who is looking for an opportunity to lead a team of HR Specialists and provide technical program expertise and management advisory services for a broad range of human resources employee services programs for all FRA employees. Additionally, successful candidates will have experience preparing written deliverables such as human resources policies or operating procedures, communication, and have excellent communication skills to counsel employees and managers.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

• Experience serving as a primary representative or chief negotiator in collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations; resolving multi-issue grievances, unfair labor practices (ULPs), or arbitrations.
• Experience providing strategic, legally binding advisory services to senior leadership on performance-based and misconduct-related adverse actions.
• Experience overseeing or executing the review and adjudication of Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests to ensure statutory compliance.
• Experience supervising, leading, or directing a team/staff of human resources professionals performing Employee and Labor Relations functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• HR Employee and Labor Relations Knowledge: Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, case law, principles, related to employee conduct, performance, and dispute resolution; and negotiating and administering labor agreements.
• Conflict Management: Encourages creative tension and differences of opinions. Anticipates and takes steps to prevent counter-productive confrontations. Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
• Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals.
• Managing Human Resources: Plans, distributes, coordinates, and monitors work assignments of others; evaluates work performance and provides feedback to others on their performance; ensures that staff are appropriately selected, utilized, and developed, and that they are treated in a fair and equitable manner.

For all types of consideration, 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

RAILROAD STOCK: Pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Parts 2635.403 and 6001.104, all FRA employees (or spouses or minor children of FRA employees) are specifically prohibited from holding railroad stock (including shares of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. which owns 100% of BNSF), whether held outright, in an IRA, or in a 401(k) or other plan. (Employees may hold a mutual fund which invests in railroad stocks, so long as the mutual fund does not invest more than 30% of its assets in such prohibited investments.) Employees having a prohibited financial interest must divest themselves of railroad stock within 90 days after their appointment to their positions. Neither the rule against holding railroad stock, nor the divestiture period, is in any way affected by the existence of re-employment rights which employees might have with railroad companies. Nor is there any monetary threshold for applicability of the rule against ownership of railroad stock; all dollar amounts are prohibited.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [redacted]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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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.

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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.