Supervisory Human Resources Specialist (Labor and Employee Relations)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

$125K — $163K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in Labor and Employee Relations (LER) management or equivalent roles.
  • Expertise in interpreting complex labor laws and regulations.
  • Experience advising on sensitive employee relations matters such as discipline and performance issues.
  • Proven ability to develop and deliver training on labor relations topics.
  • Strong leadership skills, with a track record of influencing senior management decision-making.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and oversee work for HR specialists and support staff.
  • Engage with senior managers to resolve complex labor relations issues.
  • Provide authoritative advice on misconduct cases and labor relations matters.
  • Lead national initiatives to address and develop labor relations policies.
  • Facilitate training related to labor and employee relations at the national level.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance options for employees and families.
  • Retirement plans and savings programs.
  • Generous leave policies including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Work-life balance programs.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
Full Job Description
Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, Labor and Employee Relations Division. Please see the "Additional Information" section for locations.

Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

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Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to utilize your skills while serving as a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist (Branch Chief) and manages a team of Human Resources Specialists (LER) and other staff who provide LER support to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) managers and supervisors at all levels of the organization. This position starts at a salary of $125,776.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

Typical Work assignments include:

  • Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates based upon priorities, workload, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of the employees, while seeking out ways to improve production or to increase the quality of work directed.
  • Engaging with senior managers and supervisors to identify and solve particularly complexand sensitive labor and employee relations problems and issues, including those involvingapparently conflicting LER laws or other requirements and those involving vague and untested areas of case law, where policy decisions and case strategy guidance have impact throughout the Division and Agency.
  • Providing advice and guidance to senior level managers on cases involving higher levelmanagers and supervisors, on high profile misconduct cases, and on complex laborrelations that have national level implications.
  • Leading teams and workgroups to resolve national level issues and develop strategic plansand nationwide policy.
  • Planning, developing, and facilitating national level labor and employee relations training and briefings.


GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
  • All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation


Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Providing consultation and expert advice to managers, supervisors, and program officials to determine their present and future labor and employee relations needs and serves as an authoritative source for interpreting complex labor and employee relations related concepts, laws, Executive Orders, Federal and Departmental regulations, and internal policy directives, written instructions, and manuals.
  • Providing expert advice and guidance on controversial and/or sensitive labor and employee relations related matters to include discipline, performance, contract interpretation, grievances, Unfair Labor Practices (ULP), negotiability, and bargaining.
  • Developing and delivering briefings, issue papers, status/staff reports, and formal correspondence to managers.
  • Influencing and persuading managers to accept recommendations that are in the best interest of the Agency and its overarching goals and mission.


NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must:

  • Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 09/18/2026.


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.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government


Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

These vacancies may be filled in the following locations:

  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Euless, TX
  • Chicago, IL
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Houston, TX
  • Corpus Christi, TX
  • Laredo, TX
  • Edinburg, TX
  • McAllen, TX
  • Del Rio, TX
  • El Paso, TX
  • Weslaco, TX
  • Seattle, WA
  • Long Beach, CA
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Diego, CA
  • Murrieta, CA
  • Boulevard, CA
  • San Clemente, CA
  • San Ysidro, CA
  • El Centro, CA
  • Baton Rouge, LA
  • Milwaukee, WI


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.

Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18-month probationary period upon appointment.

Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 3 weeks of in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

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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.

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.

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