Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR)

Environmental Protection Agency

Summary

This position is in the Office of Finance and Administration, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, Workforce Integrity Division, Labor and Employee Relations Branch. About Office of Finance and Administration: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-finance-and-administration

This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

This job is open to

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Clarification from the agency

You may apply if you: 1 - Are an ICTAP or EPA CTAP eligible in the commuting area of Durham, North Carolina; or 2 - Live anywhere as a preference eligible or veteran honorably discharged from the armed services after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA).

Duties

You will:

Provide advice and guidance on employee relations and labor management issues.
Represent the management position on labor and employee issues where precedent-setting, controversial matters are at stake.
Analyze sensitive, complex, and controversial matters and offer management existing, modified, or new methods to reach resolution.
Plan and conduct training and projects to improve and advance the quality and breadth of services offered by the division.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

#LI-Onsite

You must be a U.S. citizen.

You must meet time-in-grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

If you are selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

REAL ID requirements became effective on 05/07/25. If you are selected for this position and plan to use your driver's license or identification card during the onboarding process (i.e., for employment eligibility verification or to obtain your EPA identification card), the document must be a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or identification card that includes the REAL ID-compliant star marking, or must be an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). You will receive information about alternative acceptable documents (e.g., passport) prior to onboarding. For more information about REAL ID, see Dept. of Homeland Security and REAL ID FAQs.

Qualifications

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level defined as providing guidance and expertise on labor relations concepts and regulations, such as grievance responses, union notices, and union negotiations; providing guidance and expertise to managers regarding employee relations concepts and regulations; and drafting disciplinary or performance-based actions.

You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:

Employee and Labor Relations*
Written Communication*
Critical Thinking
Partnering
Influencing/Negotiating
Problem Solving*
Oral Communication*
Attention to Detail
Program/Project Management/Evaluation

*You will be evaluated on these critical competencies.

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.

*If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience.

Additional information

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP
NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section).

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: E-Verify.

For ICTAP and EPA CTAP eligible applicants, the area of consideration for this announcement is limited to applicants in the commuting area. This means that you must currently primarily live or work in a geographic area in which you can reasonably be expected to travel back and forth daily to the work location stated in this announcement. NOTE: As described in the "Clarification from the agency" section, this commuting area restriction does not apply to VEOA eligible applicants.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

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.

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA.

If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis.
NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Review our benefits

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.

After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements.

If you are eligible for consideration, you will be invited, via the email address listed in your USAJOBS profile, to complete a structured interview where you will audio record your response to several structured technical questions; it will take approximately one hour to complete this assessment. One or more subject matter experts will systematically review your responses to assess the degree to which your answers match the competencies required for successful performance in this position (see the Qualifications section for a list of the critical competencies being evaluated).

Based on the assessment ratings, a score will be calculated to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates.
NOTE: Cheating (including the use of a consultant or an AI tool to assist you) on any assessment may result in your removal from consideration for this job.

If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments by the selecting official (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.).

Required Documents

ALL APPLICANTS

Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties and Qualifications sections--include specific dates (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY) so we can determine that you have the required amount of experience (if applicable). Your experience description needs to be clear/specific (we may not make assumptions regarding your experience). Include a list of awards you've received if you'd like them to be considered. Resume must not exceed 2 pages. If you do not submit a resume that is 2 pages or less, you will be ineligible for further consideration. See How to Apply section for more information.

CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Notification(s) of Personnel Action (SF-50) that includes Position Title, Grade or Level, and Duty Station and proves the following:

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY - SF-50(s) must prove you meet the criteria in the Clarification from the agency section. The most common eligibility requirements are Competitive Status (proof is reflected in blocks 24/Tenure and 34/Position Occupied on the SF-50) and In the Commuting Area (proof is reflected in block 39/Duty Station on the SF-50).
TIME-IN-GRADE - If you are applying for a higher grade, SF-50(s) must prove you havecompleted 52 weeks at the next lower grade (next lower grade is identified in the Qualifications section); acceptable SF-50s are two SF-50s at the next lower grade dated at least a year apart OR a within-grade increase at the next lower grade (if you have completed 52 weeks at the next lower grade but have not yet received an additional SF-50 since you entered the grade, submit your appointment/initial SF-50 and an explanation). If you are not applying for a higher grade, SF-50 must prove you have been at the grade to which you are applying (or a higher grade).

CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Most recent completed annual performance appraisal dated within the last 18 months (if it isn't dated within the last 18 months or you haven't received a performance appraisal, you must upload a signed/dated explanation why). Your submitted performance appraisal must show the overall rating and supervisor's signature that certifies the rating at the time it was given.

DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE

Most recent performance appraisal
Proof of eligibility
Most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station

VETERANS

DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service) or other official document/statement from the Armed Forces showing separation, discharge, or release from active duty; document must show separation is under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge)
VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (%), if applicable
SF-15 (use current SF-15), if applicable

NOTE: See page 2 of the SF-15 for documents that can be submitted in lieu of the DD-214/VA letter.

Active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces (Statement of Service) documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (certification is any written document from the armed forces certifying you're expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions (Honorable or General Discharge) within 120 days after you submit the certification).

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

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin your application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires and assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in this section (How to Apply) and the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the day the announcement closes to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

Click the Apply button at the top of the announcement.
Follow the prompts to sign in.
Answer the questions presented in the application and upload all required supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button by 11:59 PM (ET) on the day the announcement closes.

If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Agency contact listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and you must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.

Resume Requirements:

Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. If you correctly submit a 2-page (or less) resume and also submit a longer resume, we will only review the 2-page resume. If the only resume you submit exceeds 2 pages, you will be removed from consideration for this position. See OPM 2-Page Resume Guidance for information on maximizing the content of your resume.
Resume must be legible so we can review for eligibility, minimum qualifications, and any other position requirements listed in this announcement.
See USAJOBS Resume Info for additional guidance and information about the recommended formatting (e.g., file type, font size/type, margins).

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit How to View Status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status (if applicable), and your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job.

The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA's Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process:

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you.
If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official's office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA's National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at disabilityaccommodations@epa.gov.
If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you.

Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

Holly Dubbs

Phone: (919) 541-0292
Email: DUBBS.HOLLY@EPA.GOV

Address: Office of Finance and Administration
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
US

Next steps

You can track the progress of your application via your USAJOBS account by clicking the Track This Application link. Through your USAJOBS account, you will be notified of the status of your application at four touch-points (some of these notifications may be combined): (1) when your application is received; (2) when we conduct an eligibility and qualification review of your application package; (3) when applications are referred (or not) to the hiring manager; (4) when a selection is made (or not) for the position or the job is canceled. It is your responsibility to check your USAJOBS account for this application status information. In addition, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.

NOTE: We may verify all information you provide in your application package through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration.

Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR) Job in Durham, NC