Human Resources Specialist (Employee and Labor Relations)

Summary This position is part of the Department of Energy, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, Office of Workforce Administration and Management . As a Human Resources Specialist (Employee and Labor Relations), you will provide technical advice, guidance and interpretation of law and regulations and broader Human Capital functions relative to the Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) and Reasonable Accommodation programs. Responsibilities The Department of Energy's mission is to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer's Office of Workforce Administration and Management works to address labor and employee relations matters affecting the workforce. We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy As a Human Resources Specialist (Employee and Labor Relations), you will: Provide technical advice and consultation to managers on handling complex employee conduct, attendance, performance management issues, and corrective or disciplinary actions. Guide supervisors in gathering supporting documentation for HR administrative actions and assist with drafting legally sound decisions to minimize organizational liability. Research and analyze complex federal regulations, civil service laws, agency policies, collective bargaining agreements and third party case law to help supervisors address employee/labor relations and reasonable accommodation issues. Provide guidance to employees and managers to ensure compliance with EEOC Title VII regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation when evaluating reasonable accommodation requests. Receive, investigate, and help resolve formal grievances (administrative and negotiated) and other labor relations activities (unfair labor practices, FLRA petitions, requests for information) filed by employees or the union. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 3 of 4 of the following: Advising management on complex employee relations issues, (such as resolving grievances, administering discipline, and processing performance-based actions) while ensuring regulatory compliance. Interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements to support management's role in labor relations and facilitating formal discussions or union negotiations. Managing the reasonable accommodations process under the Rehabilitation and Americans with Disabilities Acts, including evaluating medical documentation, determining essential functions, and recommending effective workplace accommodations. Communicating highly sensitive, complex HR information both orally and in writing to diverse audiences, including delivering briefings to senior leadership in contentious situations to draft clear, legally defensible correspondence. Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as having a score of 85 or better. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position. Additional Information New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website. If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year. Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation. Your performance appraisal and incentive awards will be given due consideration in the selection process based on their relation to the duties of the position and the consistency with which they may be considered in evaluating you against other candidates. Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. Equal employment opportunity policy. Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/department-energy-reasonable-accommodation-program Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at [email protected]. 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. Your application will be assessed based on your responses to an online assessment that measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. For applicants applying under Merit Promotion or VEOA procedures, your score on this assessment will determine if you are considered a 'best qualified' candidate. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.