As a Employee Relations Specialist, you will be responsible for providing advice and guidance to management and employees regarding the full range of employee relations issues.
Location of position: GSA, OHRM, Washington, DC, Kansas City, MO, Fort Worth, TX, Lakewood, CO, Tacoma, WA, Raleigh, NC, Atlanta, GA, New York, NY, Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA, Philadelphia, PA, or Chicago, IL.
We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.
Summary
As a Employee Relations Specialist, you will be responsible for providing advice and guidance to management and employees regarding the full range of employee relations issues.
Location of position: GSA, OHRM, Washington, DC, Kansas City, MO, Fort Worth, TX, Lakewood, CO, Tacoma, WA, Raleigh, NC, Atlanta, GA, New York, NY, Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA, Philadelphia, PA, or Chicago, IL.
We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.
Your application will be considered if you are a:
Current career/career-conditional Federal employee in the competitive service; Reinstatement eligible; Special Appointing Authority eligible; VEOA eligible Veteran; ICTAP eligible; or OPM Interchange Agreement eligible.
As a Human Resources Specialist, you will perform the following duties:
Provide advice and guidance regarding the full range of employee and labor relations issues pertaining to performance and conduct including: discipline, adverse actions, leave administration, performance management, awards management/recognition, medical and reasonable accommodation issues. Perform analytical research, fact-finding, interviewing, recommending solutions and innovative changes in procedures, and resolve complex, controversial and sensitive employee relations issues with a high degree of independence. Review and recommend appropriate action on complex and controversial employee relations issues. Research past agency practices for similar actions and uses this knowledge to frame disciplinary charges that will withstand third-party scrutiny.
Determine methods for fact-finding; interpret a variety of guidelines; resolve conflicts in the facts or the guidelines as necessary; and, determine the best method to present findings and recommendations to management. Advise managers and supervisors on the appropriateness of a disciplinary based action given the severity of the action, the type of offense in question, past practices of the organization, the potential implications/ramifications of the proposed action, unforeseen issues (i.e., medical issues), mitigating factors pertinent to the pending disciplinary case and alternative options (such as proposing alternative dispute resolution).
Present findings and recommendations to management when providing advice and assistance. Provide advice and guidance to managers/supervisors related to all phases of the performance management process. Provide technical advice to supervisors regarding the intent and procedures of the awards and recognition program. May participate as an agency representative during alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. Recommend, prepare and conduct supervisory training and training materials to address employee relations issues (i.e., documenting conduct issues, framing charges, deciphering between formal/informal conduct related matters, leave abuse, and similar matters).
Address complex issues and questions pertaining to hours of work, and the leave administration program, including flexible and compressed work schedules, telework, hours of work/provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, leave without pay (LWOP), military leave, annual leave, sick leave, court leave, administrative leave, the leave transfer program, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/Family Friendly Leave Act (FFL), etc. Advise managers/supervisors on procedures for requesting medical documentation to determine appropriate work arrangements or reasonable accommodations. May be required to engage in or assist the Reasonable Accommodations Coordinator in the interactive reasonable accommodation process.
Advise managers/supervisors on appropriate steps when an employee’s performance diminishes or falls below the fully successful level. Work with the manager/supervisor to effectively place the employee on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Review the employee's performance plan, assisting the manager/supervisor in developing the components of a PIP to ensure the manager/supervisor is performing his/her part during the process with the employee, and advise the manager/supervisor as to the appropriate options if the employee fails to improve performance under the PIP.
US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or NonCareer SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
Qualifications
To evaluate your qualifications, your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet the specialized experience described below. Your resume must not exceed two pages. To ensure your qualifications can be fully evaluated, we recommend including the following information:
Name, address, telephone number, email address;
Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.
Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.
Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.
If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.
The GS-12 salary range starts at $90,968 per year.
If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.
To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service.
Specialized experience is experience serving as an independent Employee Relations (ER) Specialist, providing authoritative advice, technical services, and regulatory guidance to senior managers and employees on highly sensitive ER matters. Experience includes: ● Interpreting and applying statutes, regulations and an organization's policies to manage discipline, adverse and performance based actions; ● Managing medical and reasonable accommodation issues to ensure compliance; and ● Conducting workplace investigations to recommend legally defensible, policy-compliant resolutions
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.
If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.
If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.
Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.
On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:
· Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government
Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.
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.
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.
Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
Life insurance coverage with several options
Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
Transit and child care subsidies
Flexible spending accounts
Long-term care insurance
Training and development
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.
A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the application of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses.
Skill in performing legal and regulatory research, synthesizing complex statutes and case law to deliver authoritative, strategic counsel to managers/supervisors on critical employee relations matters to successfully navigate and defend disciplinary or performance-based actions in any third-party review.
Skill in conducting fact-finding inquiries, interpreting regulatory guidelines, and resolving conflicting information to provide counsel to managers and supervisors on appropriate disciplinary and performance-based actions, considering organizational precedents and potential outcomes.
Skill in oral communication required to articulate technically complex positions and policies, negotiate sensitive recommendations with managers and supervisors in highly emotionally charged situations, and ensure compliance with organizational policies.
Ability to provide high-level technical guidance, along with actionable solutions, to managers and supervisors on intricate employee relations issues such as medical concerns, leave management, telework, work schedules, and reasonable accommodations by applying relevant regulations, principles, and laws.
Ability to apply performance management principles and practices to effectively coach managers and supervisors in enhancing employee performance and productivity and the strategic implementation of follow-up actions to resolve personnel performance issues.
Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your application. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process.
Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.
If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration.
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.
Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
Life insurance coverage with several options
Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
Transit and child care subsidies
Flexible spending accounts
Long-term care insurance
Training and development
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 required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
Resume: Must not exceed two pages. Refer to the Qualifications section for resume requirements.
Federal employee (includes current GSA employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. The SF-50 or equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency.
Promotion Consideration: If your most recent SF-50 became effective within the past year, it may not demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement. In that case, submit additional SF-50(s) (such as promotion, within-grade increase, grade/range increase, or an SF-50 with an effective date more than one year old) that clearly document you meet the time-in-grade requirement.
Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your separation SF-50
If you are claiming veterans preference:
(a) DD-214 that shows your type of discharge, character of service and the dates of your active duty service.
(b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), you must submit documentation that establishes your entitlement in addition to the DD-214:
VA disability rating letter or other official documentation (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
Note: If sufficient documentation is provided to establish 10-point preference, preference may be granted based on the supporting documentation even if the SF-15 is not submitted. If selected, a completed SF-15 will be required prior to appointment.
IF YOU ARE:
Active duty military: Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
(a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years.
(b) Copy of your agency’s annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s).
ICTAP/CTAPeligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
Current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50.
Applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See USAJOBS for more information.
If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS page for more information.
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.
If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details.
Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).
Need Assistance?
Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact fedhirehelp@applygovernment.comor 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline
You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.
Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.
GSA, Office of Human Resources Management
Servicing HR Office: Branch D
GSA, Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
After the closing date/deadline:
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes.
FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.
Thank you for your interest in working for the U.S General Services Administration!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
Resume: Must not exceed two pages. Refer to the Qualifications section for resume requirements.
Federal employee (includes current GSA employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. The SF-50 or equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency.
Promotion Consideration: If your most recent SF-50 became effective within the past year, it may not demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement. In that case, submit additional SF-50(s) (such as promotion, within-grade increase, grade/range increase, or an SF-50 with an effective date more than one year old) that clearly document you meet the time-in-grade requirement.
Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your separation SF-50
If you are claiming veterans preference:
(a) DD-214 that shows your type of discharge, character of service and the dates of your active duty service.
(b) If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), you must submit documentation that establishes your entitlement in addition to the DD-214:
VA disability rating letter or other official documentation (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
Note: If sufficient documentation is provided to establish 10-point preference, preference may be granted based on the supporting documentation even if the SF-15 is not submitted. If selected, a completed SF-15 will be required prior to appointment.
IF YOU ARE:
Active duty military: Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
(a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years.
(b) Copy of your agency’s annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s).
ICTAP/CTAPeligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
Current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50.
Applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See USAJOBS for more information.
If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS page for more information.
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.
If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application.
To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details.
Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).
Need Assistance?
Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact fedhirehelp@applygovernment.comor 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline
You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.
Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.
GSA, Office of Human Resources Management
Servicing HR Office: Branch D
GSA, Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Next steps
After the closing date/deadline:
ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes.
FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.
Thank you for your interest in working for the U.S General Services Administration!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
