Summary
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) is unique among the thirteen Circuit Courts of Appeal. It has nationwide jurisdiction in a variety of subject areas, including international trade, government contracts, patents, trademarks, certain money claims against the United States government, federal personnel, veterans' benefits, and public safety officers' benefits claims. For additional information about our court please click here.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Open to all US Citizens and those eligible to work in the United States. A FBI Background; Master Background Investigation High Sensitive Check is required. This announcement is open until filled.
Duties
The Human Resources Program Coordinator will provide a full range of human resources (HR) services including recruitment, payroll and benefits administration, leave administration, and performance management. Additionally, the incumbent will assist with policy, analytical, and administrative duties that support the effective functions of the office, including drafting, analyzing, and maintaining HR related policies and procedures and providing support to the office's process improvement program through project management and development, data analysis, and process improvement recommendations. This position is located within the court's Human Resources Office (HRO) and reports directly to the Assistant Human Resources Officer.
Responsibilities of the Human Resources Program Coordinator may include but will not be limited to:
- Personnel Actions and Benefits: Perform duties related to benefits administration, personnel action processing, and records maintenance. Serve as benefits coordinator, providing judges and employees with guidance and assistance with benefits policy interpretation and benefits election process. Conduct benefits orientation for all new appointments. Ensure all personnel actions are processed in a timely and accurate manner. Develop and maintain electronic databases to track personnel actions, including promotions, appointments and separations. Maintain personnel, payroll, and recruitment records in accordance with judiciary guidelines. Ensure strict confidentiality and security of all personnel matters and records.
- Leave Administration: Serve as the official leave administrator for the court. Advise judges, executives, senior staff and staff on leave administration matters. Monitor and process employee time and attendance records. Resolve complex leave related issues. Provide employees with training on and assistance with the automated leave tracking system. Develop and analyze a variety of leave related reports. Ensure that all leave transactions and records adhere to appropriate rules and regulations.
- Performance Management: Coordinate with judges, senior staff, and managers on the assessment and evaluation of staff performance throughout the year. Maintain a tracking system for employee evaluations and within-grade step increases. Process performance management related personnel action requests accurately and in a timely manner.
- HR Policy Administration: Implement and administer HR policies, procedures, and standards. Provide information to judges, executives, senior staff, and staff on HR matters, procedures, and practices. Assist with the drafting and coordination of the development and review of HR policies, standard operating procedures, and job aides. Provide support to court offices in implementing HR procedural and policy changes. Conduct research on HR policy questions of relevance to the court. Receive, manage, and organize general HR inquiries, including mail, telephone calls, emails, employment verification requests and other HR related inquiries. Research and provide timely responses to inquiries in accordance with local, judiciary, and federal policies and practices.
- Human Resources Program Analysis: Manage and support process improvement projects. Review and analyze HR operations, identifying problems, trends, and areas for efficiency or improvement. Review, recommend, and assist with the development and implementation of projects, processes, and changes designed to improve overall quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of HR operations as needed.
- General Responsibilities: Communicate and respond to requests from judges, chambers staff, and management about human resources operations. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to explain human resources concepts to individuals and groups with varying experience and backgrounds. Interact effectively with the public and staff, providing good customer service and resolving difficulties efficiently while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures. Facilitate, mediate, and negotiate complex and sensitive matters with judges, senior court staff, court management and staff, while maintaining confidentiality. Develop, implement, and maintain written procedures for assigned functions. Comply with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, applicable Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts' policies and procedures, internal controls guidelines, and all local policies and procedures. Abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment. Display a careful and deliberate approach in handling confidential information in a variety of contexts.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and must travel at their own expense. Reimbursement for relocation is not available. The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.
The position will report to downtown Washington, DC; however, telework may be available on an ad hoc basis and/or according to agency policy. Employees of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are excepted service appointments. Federal government civil service classifications or regulations do not apply. All offers of employment are provisional pending successful completion of a background check or investigation and a favorable employment suitability determination. This position is subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.
Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C.§ 1324b(a)(3)(B). Under 8 U.S.C.§1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience
- CL-26 ($61,603 - $100,097): At a minimum, candidates must possess one year of specialized experience in at least two or more functional areas of human resources management and administration (classification, staffing, training, employee relations, policy, programs, etc.) that provided knowledge of the rules, regulations, terminology, etc. of the area of human resources administration and a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- CL-27 ($67,660 - $110,012): At a minimum, candidates must possess two years of specialized experience in at least two or more functional areas of human resources management and administration (classification, staffing, training, employee relations, policy, programs, etc.) that provided knowledge of the rules, regulations, terminology, etc. of the area of human resources administration.
- CL-28 ($81,117 - $131,826): At a minimum, candidates must possess three years of specialized experience in at least two or more functional areas of human resources management and administration (classification, staffing, training, employee relations, policy, programs, etc.) that provided knowledge of the rules, regulations, terminology, etc. of the area of human resources administration.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Prior HR experience within the Federal Judiciary or other federal government agency.
- Knowledge of federal and local rules, policies, and procedures related to human resources.
- Demonstrated strong writing, editing, and research skills in a professional environment.
- Prior experience in reviewing and drafting human resources related procedures, policies, and manuals.
- Knowledge of project management, quality management, and process improvement practices and tools.
Required Competencies
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, demonstrate sound ethics and mature judgement, and handle sensitive materials.
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to unanticipated needs and problems and to manage multiple tasks and priorities, often with conflicting deadlines.
- Ability to think independently and work cooperatively in an office environment.
- Strong oral and written communications skills with acute attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Knowledge of and experience with SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office 365, and Adobe Acrobat.
Education
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will also be evaluated based upon review of their qualifications and the application package.
Required Documents
Cover letter, résumé, and the completion of the provided online application (AO 78) and testing modules. See instructions for "How to Apply."
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Application Process and Information
To be considered application packages must include:
- Cover letter of no more than two pages, wherein the applicant describes the knowledge, skills, abilities, and or experience that would make the candidate well qualified to fill this position.
- Résumé outlining educational background, employment history, and other relevant information.
- Completion of the online AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment.
- Completion of online aptitude and personality tests.
Once you have the cover letter and résumé files (items 1 and 2 above) readily accessible in PDF format, follow the below link to submit your files and complete the online AO-78 and online tests (items 3 and 4 above):
https://www.ondemandassessment.com/link/index/JB-YD1H1ZD7F?u=1142493.
Applicants who require an exception to the online application may contact Human Resources to request an alternate method using the following email:
hr@cafc.uscourts.gov.
Applications submitted to this email address will not be reviewed.
Next steps
Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.