HR Specialist (Employee Relations)

***Important: This vacancy uses a two-phase application process. This is Phase 1 of 2 for this vacancy. To be considered for this position, you must complete both phases of the application process or your application will be considered incomplete. *** Phase 1: You must first complete and submit your application under this announcement.

Phase 2: After this announcement closes, eligible applicants will receive an email containing an exclusive link to a separate competency assessment announcement. This email will provide details on completing phase 2. You must use that link to complete and submit Phase 2.

You must submit a résumé under both announcements, and both announcements must show Application Submitted for your application to be considered complete. You will receive application status updates only under the Phase 1 announcement.

As a HR Specialist (Employee Relations), you will: Serve as a technical expert and consultant to management, staff on controversial and difficult employee relations problems. Review established programs, evaluate their effectiveness, recommend improvements, and redesign as necessary to meet changing objectives.

Undertake special studies and develop detailed strategies to implement more expeditious methods of accomplishing work in the branch. Explore alternative courses of action to accommodate management needs and considerations. Work closely with management officials to gain support and confidence in program initiatives.

Provide advice and assistance in situations requiring extensive analysis in which the nature and scope of the issues are complex, necessitating careful study in search of innovative solutions to problems in consideration of the needs of management.

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.

To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé. For the GS-13, you must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position includes: -Experience researching human resources concepts, principles, laws and regulations in order to advise management on appropriate resolutions regarding employee relations and performance management related issues.

Examples of such experience could include: -Interpreting and applying federal regulations, laws, executive orders, and agency HR policies to resolve employee conduct, performance, and grievance issues; AND -Conducting research and analysis to provide informed guidance on employee relations; AND -Independently developing and delivering employee relations training to senior officials; AND -Drafting legally sufficient disciplinary and performance documentation.

In addition to meeting specialized experience, individuals must meet proficiency levels in each of the following competencies: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork A Work Sample may be used to determine if you meet the required proficiency levels.

You will receive a sample job task or scenario to complete; or you will provide a writing sample. In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable: For the GS-13, you must have been at the GS-12 level for 52 weeks.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), achieve a well-qualified score of 85 or higher to receive priority consideration. To preview the application questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13030010