Clarification from the agency

Frist Area of Consideration: Current, Permanent VISN 10 Employees. Second Area of Consideration: Current, Permanent Veterans Health Administration Employees. Third Area of Consideration: Current, Permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees

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Correspondence and Customer Service 50%

• Responds to a variety of inquires regarding program policy and procedures.
• Screens questions or complaints from employees and union inquiries by determining the nature and scope of the problem.
• Provides information and assistance to employees and supervisors based on interpretation of regulations and rules.
• Evaluates sensitive personnel issues and counsels employees on the requirements and repercussions of viable options.
• Provides technical guidance, information, and assistance for a variety of Employee Relations programs such as disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, complaints, and drug testing.

Employee Relations/ Labor Relations Support 50%

• Provides administrative support by responding to questions, complaints, problems or situations, and providing explanations of HR policy in Employee and Labor Relations.
• Identifies relevant facts and issues, analyzes individual circumstances, interprets data to determine facts surrounding required actions, determines relevant guidance and procedures, prepares reports and recommends appropriate corrective actions commensurate with assignment.
• Assists HR Specialist on special projects by gathering and organizing data, identifying issues and discrepancies, formatting material, and recommending improvements and solutions.
• Develops presentations, reports, and analyses, as needed.
• Assembles evidence files and obtains information from relevant sources.
• Maintains, monitors and follows up on suspense items and reports.
• Assist the Specialist with preparation of agency files for third-party appeals, including Merit Systems Protection Board appeals and Equal Employment Opportunity document requests and hearing files.
• Collects information and prepares draft responses to Freedom of Information and/or Privacy Act requests.
• Responds to inquires on procedures for disciplinary actions, grievances, and appeals concerning timelines, documentation, and signature requirements.
• Processes and documents HR actions in Employee and Labor Relations.
• Process request for assigned specialty authorities or additional pay systems, and employee categories (e.g., General Schedule, Federal Wage System, Senior Executive Service, Title 38, Hybrid Title 38, or the similar categories).
• Codes actions in HR Smart
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Compressed/Alternate: As determined by agency policy
Telework: As determined by agency policy
Virtual/ Remote: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (ER/LR)/PD1045A and PD99978A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required


Physical Requirements: No special physical exertion is required. The work is primarily performed while sitting, although some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/29/2023.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement
GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05
GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.


GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes but are not limited to:

• Basis knowledge of laws, regulations, Executive Orders, agency HR policies and procedures
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly both orally and in writing
• Practical knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methodology to carry out assignments
• Provide administrative support by responding to questions, complaints, problems or situations, and providing explanation of policy
• Evaluates sensitive personnel issues
• Control and respond to incoming and outgoing correspondence
• Assist customers with problems and inquiries

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

* Note: This position is a training career ladder to the full performance level. The work of this position is the same as the full performance level but is performed under closer supervision and guidance.

GS-07 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, Executive Orders, agency HR policies and procedures, court decisions and issues as they pertain to the assigned areas of responsibility.
• Knowledge of agency organizational structure, management policies, procedures and practices.
• Skill in collecting, analyzing, and organizing technical data.
• Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of personnel both internal and external to the agency
• Knowledge of, and skill interpreting, Federal Laws and VA regulations as they pertain to leave programs, such as FMLA,
• Knowledge of Federal labor laws and regulations, OPM, and VA policies and handbooks, and collective bargaining agreements (CBA).
• Provides technical guidance, information, and assistance for a variety of Employee Relations programs such as drug testing, disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, and complaints.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

*Note: This is the full performance of the position.


You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Technical Competence
• Customer service
• Clerical
• Manages and Organizes information

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; religions; 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 more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.