Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout DOI. OIG offers exceptional work-life benefits, including flexible work schedules, a robust telework program, ample training opportunities, and a comprehensive employee recognition program.
This position is authorized to telework 4 days per week.
Summary
Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout DOI. OIG offers exceptional work-life benefits, including flexible work schedules, a robust telework program, ample training opportunities, and a comprehensive employee recognition program.
This position is authorized to telework 4 days per week.
CTAP/ICTAP eligible's; Current or former career or career-conditional Federal employees in the competitive service; VEOA; Interchange agreement; Miscellaneous (Peace Corp/Postal/GAO/U.S. Courts) and Special hiring authority (Foreign Service); and Current or former time-limited employees eligible under the Land Management (BLM) Workforce Flexibility Act.
This position is located in OIG's Human Resources Division. If selected, you will be responsible for administering the OIG's employee relations and performance management program. You will independently handle all disciplinary, adverse, and performance-based actions in the OIG; provide expert guidance to supervisors concerning reasonable accommodation requests; and research allegations of OIG employee misconduct, including complaints made under OIG's anti-harassment policy. To be successful in this position, you must have expert knowledge of employee relations and reasonable accommodation case law, exceptional oral and written communications skills, and the ability to resolve a multitude of employee relations issues at the lowest possible level.
Major duties include:
Serve as a technical expert providing advice and assistance to managers, supervisors, and employees on employee relations (ER) matters such as conduct, performance and discipline, tours-of-duty, hours-of-work, leave administration, grievances, and appeals.
Advise managers on reasonable accommodation requests; process requests in accordance with existing policies and case law.
Research claims of harassment or employee misconduct; prepare written reports of findings and recommendations for resolution.
Provide authoritative interpretation of regulations, policies, and procedures that have an impact on the agency's employee relations program and initiate program changes as needed.
Prepare written correspondence and other documentation to support management actions. Coordinate with legal counsel to prepare case files and represent the agency in third-party proceedings such as MSPB, EEOC, and OSC.
Provide assistance to employees, explaining rules and procedures to employees and helping them understand their benefits, rights, and obligations.
Provide training to supervisors in order to address conduct and performance issues.
Successful completion of a background investigation.
May be required to complete a one year probationary period.
OGE-450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report may be required.
Time-in-grade requirement - Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
Minimum Qualifications GS-14:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing all of the following:
Independently advising management and senior leaders on complex employee relations issues related to employee conduct and performance, including preparing proposal and decision letters for disciplinary and adverse actions;
Researching instances of alleged misconduct or harassment, including preparing written findings and recommendations; AND
Independently researching case law to support responses to reasonable accommodation requests.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience for this position.
Additional information
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
Applicants must meet initial and periodic suitability determinations based on favorable background investigations and updates.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 80 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated based on their possession of the following competencies:
Knowledge of employee relations principles, practices, laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to performance and conduct management
Research and analysis
Skill in written and oral communication
After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume per Category Rating or Numerical Scoring procedures to ensure that qualification and eligibility requirements are met. If we use the Category Rating procedure, and it is determined that you meet the minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified based on the degree that your application demonstrates possession of:
Ability to research and analyze administrative grievances and adverse actions to advise management.
Ability to analyze documents and advise supervisors and employees on a wide variety of employee relations cases.
Ability to communicate in writing, sufficient to prepare correspondence, develop agency policy and procedures, disciplinary actions, case documentation, and formal responses.
Note: If a determination is made that qualifications and/or experience have been inflated, your score will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. You are required to select eligibility and submit supporting documents. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.
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.
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.
All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (required) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked on your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status (box 24 must show "1" or "2" and box 34 must show "1"), title, series and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Candidates applying under an interchange agreement must also provide an SF-50 or equivalent document showing interchange eligibility. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
Performance Appraisal and Awards - While not required, due weight will be given to appraisals and awards submitted during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. Such documents will not be used in determining if you meet the experience requirements.
CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility - Such as a RIF separation notice, certificate of expected separation, SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action stating you were separated by RIF, OR a letter from your agency documenting your priority consideration status.
Veteran's Preference Documentation -If applying under VEOA, you must include your DD-214 member 4 copy showing what type of discharge, SF-15, and VA letter (if applicable). If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty, separation date, and projected discharge type. Your separation date must be within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide a copy of your terminal leave documentation.
Former Peace Corp and VISTA volunteers - If you are applying under this eligibility you MUST indicate on your application the special program and submit proof of eligibility with your application. Individuals who are eligible for consideration will be considered non-competitively for this vacancy.
Interchange Agreements - In order to be eligible based on an OPM approved interchange agreement, you must submit the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) or equivalent personnel action that shows that you are eligible under the interchange agreement; AND any other required documents as outlined in interchange agreement for your agency.
Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated by U.S. OPM/Special Hiring Authorities: If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under the Interchange Agreement or Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated by U.S. OPM, or Special Hiring Authorities you MUST select the appropriate eligibility and submit proof to be considered.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a complete application package including a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the DOI OIG's Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 04/28/2022 to complete the following application process:
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. However, you will not be able to make changes to questions related to assessing the minimum qualifications and competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics) mentioned in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. To make an allowed update to your application, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact HR Assistant at doioig_vacancies@doioig.gov to obtain an alternative application. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
Division of Human Resources
381 Elden St.
Suite 3000
Herndon, VA 20170
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified by email of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (required) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked on your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status (box 24 must show "1" or "2" and box 34 must show "1"), title, series and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Candidates applying under an interchange agreement must also provide an SF-50 or equivalent document showing interchange eligibility. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
Performance Appraisal and Awards - While not required, due weight will be given to appraisals and awards submitted during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. Such documents will not be used in determining if you meet the experience requirements.
CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility - Such as a RIF separation notice, certificate of expected separation, SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action stating you were separated by RIF, OR a letter from your agency documenting your priority consideration status.
Veteran's Preference Documentation -If applying under VEOA, you must include your DD-214 member 4 copy showing what type of discharge, SF-15, and VA letter (if applicable). If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty, separation date, and projected discharge type. Your separation date must be within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide a copy of your terminal leave documentation.
Former Peace Corp and VISTA volunteers - If you are applying under this eligibility you MUST indicate on your application the special program and submit proof of eligibility with your application. Individuals who are eligible for consideration will be considered non-competitively for this vacancy.
Interchange Agreements - In order to be eligible based on an OPM approved interchange agreement, you must submit the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) or equivalent personnel action that shows that you are eligible under the interchange agreement; AND any other required documents as outlined in interchange agreement for your agency.
Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated by U.S. OPM/Special Hiring Authorities: If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under the Interchange Agreement or Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated by U.S. OPM, or Special Hiring Authorities you MUST select the appropriate eligibility and submit proof to be considered.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a complete application package including a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the DOI OIG's Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 04/28/2022 to complete the following application process:
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. However, you will not be able to make changes to questions related to assessing the minimum qualifications and competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics) mentioned in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. To make an allowed update to your application, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact HR Assistant at doioig_vacancies@doioig.gov to obtain an alternative application. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
Division of Human Resources
381 Elden St.
Suite 3000
Herndon, VA 20170
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified by email of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
