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HR Specialist (Employee-Labor Relations)

Department of Transportation
Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in the Office of Administrative Services, Human Resources Division, and reports to the Human Resources Officer. Human Resources (HR) is responsible for strategic management of human capital. The incumbent is responsible for delivering expert advice and counseling in the areas of complex conduct and discipline issues; grievances and appeals; adverse actions; performance management; labor relations; and employee development and training.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/28/2024 to 11/26/2024
Salary
$103,409 to - $181,216 per year

Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule/.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Massena, NY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position.
Travel Required
75% or less - Travel maybe required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
GLS.FMA-2024-0006
Control number
807033500

Duties

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As a Human Resources Specialist, you will:

  • Provide expert advice and consultant service in matters related to the administration of an agency employee relations program with attention to adverse actions, disciplinary/conduct. Serve as the agency expert to management, staff and union officials on complex questions and policy issues requiring guidance and/or interpretation of law, regulation, agency policy and guidance.
  • Provide expert advice and consultative services and assistance to agency executives and supervisors in the administration of all phases of the agency labor relations program (i.e., bargaining unit coverage, official time, negotiability of issues, contract negotiations, mid-term bargaining).
  • Serves as the primary management representative to union officials for the conduct of day-to-day administration of a collective bargaining agreement.
  • Conduct administrative investigations to identify facts, analyze issues to determine the nature and extent of the workplace problem and communicate findings and recommendations as appropriate.
  • Prepare agency policy documents, written guidance, agency proposals and decisions on adverse actions, conduct, performance disagreements and deficiencies and grievances in draft and final.

The Ideal candidate will have experience in delivering expert advice and counseling in the areas of complex conduct and discipline issues; grievances and appeals; adverse actions; performance management; labor relations; and employee development and training.

*PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (3 month) vacancy announcement, with early consideration given to applicants who apply within the first 14 days. 

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:

  • 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.
  • 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).
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include:

  • Proficient Experience in Employee/Labor Relations, Employee Development, and Human Resource Policy. Examples are Collective Bargaining Unit negotiations, Grievances, Conduct and Performance Issues.

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

  • Expert Experience in Employee/Labor Relations, Employee Development, and Human Resource Policy. Examples are Collective Bargaining Unit negotiations, Grievances, Conduct and Performance Issues.

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:

  1. Customer Service (‡) - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. 
  2. Employee Relations - Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, case law, principles, and practices related to employee conduct, performance, and dispute resolution.
  3. Labor Relations - Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, case law, principles, and practices related to negotiating and administering labor agreements.
  4. Oral Communication (‡) - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  5. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

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.

Additional information

If Duty location is in Washington, DC, there will be at least 50% travel to Massena, NY.

FOREIGN EDUCATION must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

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, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

To compete with U.S. Citizens:  If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of two categories: Qualified and Well Qualified which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position.

To compete with other competitive status government employees: If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be scored based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

Eligible Federal employees also seeking consideration for noncompetitive reassignment for this position must indicate interest in the assessment. Noncompetitive federal candidates must have competitive status on a SF-50, meet minimum qualifications, have served at the same grade or higher, and held or exceeded the promotion potential of this position.

All applicants:  Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package.  If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated on your behalf or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers. The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.


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