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HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPL REL/LABOR REL)

Department of Defense
Defense Media Activity
CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICE

Summary

This position is part of the Department of War Information Activity. The incumbent serves as a Senior Human Resources Specialist (Labor Relations and Employee Relations), assigned to DWIA-HQs, and provides personnel services to the agency. This position encompasses developing strategic approaches and develop requisite policies/programs in the areas of employee and labor relations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2026 to 05/19/2026
Salary
$121,785 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Meade, MD
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is eligible for situational telework only.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DWIA-26-12952890-MP
Control number
868053800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Civilian DoD Employees in the Competitive Service; ICTAP within the Local Commuting Area; Disabled Veterans with 30% or more, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act; People with Disabilities Schedule A (PWD); Military Spouses; PPP, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP); PPP, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP); PPP, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician (DoD MRNG); PPP, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement (DoD MR & NG).

Duties

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As a HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPL REL/LABOR REL) at the GS-0201-13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Investigates unprecedented cases, appeals, and severe disciplinary actions (including removals), ensuring sound application of legal precedents.
  • Serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on performance lifecycles (Plans, PIPs, appraisals), ensuring policy conformance and correcting deficiencies.
  • Investigates severe disciplinary actions (including removals), appeals, and grievances. Researches case law and ensures sound application of regulatory guidance.
  • Analyzes and resolves difficult problems in employer-employee relationships to maintain satisfactory productivity, morale, and discipline. Works directly with managers to determine the root causes of systemic issues-such as personality conflicts, poor work habits, and leave abuse-and recommends constructive interventions, including Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and mediation.
  • Acts as the policy expert for the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO), researching, drafting, and staffing DoD/OPM-compliant Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Serving as a consultant to management officials on a variety of Employee Relations (ER) and Labor Relations (LR) matters; providing misconduct and performance advice and guidance to management.
  • Presenting effective oral and written communications to draft disciplinary actions, performance actions, and agency arguments to effectively represent management in meetings with union representatives and before a third party.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Full Time
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is eligible for situational telework only.
  • Must be able to acquire and retain a Secret Clearance eligibility. Position may include additional program security requirements in order to fully perform the duties and reviews responsibilities of the position.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Serving as a consultant to management officials on a variety of Employee Relations (ER) and Labor Relations (LR) matters; providing misconduct and performance advice and guidance to management.
  • Maintaining effective relationships and building a cohesive labor/management atmosphere that represents the best interests of the agency.
  • Managing and conducting negotiations and administering labor agreements.
  • Serving as the agency representative or grievance control officer for grievances, unfair labor practices, and questions on negotiability, attempting to resolve workplace issues informally.
  • Presenting effective oral and written communications to draft disciplinary actions, performance actions, and agency arguments to effectively represent management in meetings with union representatives and before a third party.

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.




*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.



Additional information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies 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 ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A
Special Hiring Authority for Veterans
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/)

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.

NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information.

For more information, please visit

https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Other Notes:
This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the civilian drug testing program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP, the incumbent is to(a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if required, submit to urinalysis testing. The selectee must sign statements acknowledging the position is identified as a TDP.


Re-employed Annuitant: This position Does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d


Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational 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. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Influencing and Negotiating
  • Labor Relations/Employee Relations
  • Oral/Written Communication


Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):This program applies 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 ICTAP eligibility criteria AND 2) be rated well-qualified for the position AND 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified means you possess the type and quality of experience that exceeds the position's minimum qualifications.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the (RGP) eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the (PPP DoD MRNG) eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) (PPP MSP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the(MSP) (PPP MSP) eligibility. If you are claiming MSP (PPP MSP) and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.

Defense Media Activity

This position is located in the Department of War Information Activity (DWIA), Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO), Civilian Personnel Division. DWIA is a Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity reporting to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). DWIA is a worldwide media organization, employing state-of-the art and emerging multimedia production and distribution technologies, operating from multiple locations in the United States and overseas, and with deployed combat and contingency forces throughout the world.

Agency contact information

DMA Servicing Team
Phone
6146927825
Fax
215-516-6069
Email
DHRC-DDMAHR@dla.mil
Address
Department of War Information Activity
6700 Taylor Ave
Ft. Meade, MD 20755
US

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https://www.dma.mil

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