Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates who have completed a qualifying degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or technical education program within the preceding 2 years of the announcement closing date OR current students who will complete a qualifying degree/certificate within 9 months of the announcement closing date. Preference eligible veterans unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation may apply up to 6 years after degree/certification.

At the entry level of this position, you will:

- Provides managers and supervisors with information about the organization's labor relations policies, procedures, and guidelines with the assistance of higher graded specialists.

- Participates in bargaining unit determinations and assignments to permit independent performance and application of knowledge and skill.

- Investigates grievances on simple issues, as assigned, working with higher graded LR team member in the pre-litigation stage for possible settlement or withdrawal.

- Provides comments to HR Specialists on the preparation of disciplinary and adverse action, grievance and appeal letters.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

Conditions of employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• If you are selected, a written participant agreement must be signed.

If you are still completing coursework, offer of employment will be contingent upon completion of degree/certificate program.  Proof showing confer date within nine months of the announcement closing date will be required before entry on duty.

If you are selected, the entire period served under the Recent Graduates program will be a trial period.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation.  Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

Qualifications

You do not need a degree to qualify for this position.

We are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-07 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as experience of basic principles, concepts and methodologies in carrying out elementary assignments or procedures.
- OR 1 full year of graduate level education; or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in an academic discipline related to this position
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as experience in providing service, guidance, advice and specialized expertise for a wide range of labor management relations matters.
- OR master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related; degree in an academic discipline related to this position
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your answers to the online assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:  

1.  Ability to interpret and analyze basic issues of fact and law.

2.  Knowledge of the appropriate basic legal and regulatory provisions applicable to the case.

3.  Ability to analyze specific phases of moderately difficult, well-precedented and/or recurring cases.

4.  Ability to identify and analyze numerous facts and allegations to determine accuracy and applicability to the cases.

5.  Ability to prepare labor agreements on relatively uncomplicated labor-management proposals.

6.  Knowledge of unfair labor practices, arbitration, negotiability, impasses, and other related issues.

7.  Ability to use non-traditional collaborative skills and approaches to labor relations, including labor management partnership, alternative dispute resolution, interest-based bargaining, and facilitation.

8.  Ability to analyze specific phases of moderately difficult, well-precedented and/or recurring cases.

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.

If you have part-time work experience, read this:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section.  If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment.  Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position.  You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the ‘Best Qualified’, ‘Well Qualified’, or ‘Qualified’ category.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire.  If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.  We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE:  We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.