Clarification from the agency

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:

• 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 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 advising the manager/supervisor as to the appropriate options if the employee fails to improve performance under the PIP.

Conditions of employment

• 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:

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

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 $90,067 per year. Locality pay will be determined upon selection.

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 independently providing advice and assistance to managers and employees for several organizational components of an organization on matters related to: discipline and conduct; performance management; awards; developing performance standards; adverse actions; and experience developing and recommending policies and procedures on employee relations issues.

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 resumes 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.

1. Ability to conduct extensive research into laws, regulations, and case law to provide sound advice to managers/supervisors in employee relations matters, and posture the agency’s ability to defend the proposed disciplinary or performance based action in any third party review.
2. Ability to identify and interpret facts and identify mitigating issues relevant to proposed disciplinary and/or performance-related cases.
3. Skill in oral communications to present and negotiate sensitive recommendations to managers/supervisors in highly charged emotional cases, to obtain compliance with policies and to articulate positions/policy of technical complexity.
4. Knowledge of employee relations principles, practices, regulations and legislation sufficient to provide complex technical advice, guidance and options to managers/supervisors regarding leave administration, work schedules and hours of work, telework, medical issues and similar employee relations programs.
5. Ability and skill in utilizing performance management principles and practices as a tool to help managers/supervisors manage and improve employee performance.

Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your resume. 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.

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Resume: Your resume should not exceed 2 pages and must demonstrate the specialized experience related to the position for which you are applying. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process.  Your resume must contain 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 the basic, general, or specialized experience requirements for each grade level you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.

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. If you are a GSA employee (except in the OIG), you are not required to submit an SF-50.

If you are a 30% or more disabled veteran, VEOA or VRA applicant or qualified spouse, widow/widower, or parent:

(a)  Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows your type of discharge and the dates of your active duty service.
(b)  If you are a disabled veteran, or are applying under VRA or VEOA as a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran, submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).

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).

If you are a current Federal employee or Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your latest SF-50.

If you are eligible under an Interchange Agreement: Submit your latest SF-50.

If you are a former Peace Corp or VISTA volunteer: Submit your Description of Service.

If you are a current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b:

     (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).

If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS page for more information.

If you are applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See USAJOBS for more information.

If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.

If you are a current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50.

Next steps

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