Human Resources Specialist (Employee and Labor Relations)

Summary If selected, you would serve as a senior Labor and Employee Relations Specialist responsible for independently producing timely and legally sound LR and ER actions. You would: conduct labor negotiations, handle clarification petitions, grievances, manage complex casework, and provide expert guidance on labor and employee relations matters. Will support program oversight, policy development, reporting requirements, and represents the Agency on labor and employee relations initiatives. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Supports development and evaluation of labor relations programs on behalf of USDA Management with its bargaining units. Prepares and assists with contract negotiations, including complex impact and implementation bargaining. Represents and defends management actions before FLRA, MSPB, and other administrative or quasi-judicial bodies. Serves as HR point of contact and advisor on interpreting negotiated agreements and grievance procedures. Assists in the development of Agency labor relations policies adapting government-wide and USDA regulations to Agency needs. Designs and delivers labor relations training and briefings for managers and supervisors nationwide. Evaluates labor relations program effectiveness and recommends improvements to working relationships. Performs complex employee relations work, advising on conduct, performance, grievances, and regulatory compliance. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Administering and researching labor relations issues for federal civilian employees; Providing strategies/plans to guide managers on collective bargaining matters; Serving as technical advisor or agency representative in arbitration proceedings, unfair labor practice proceedings, matters before the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP), and negotiability matters before the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA); Formulating analysis and strategy to guide managers on best practices to address and correct conduct and performance concerns Minimizing legal liability for the agency and manager when advising on federal civilian employee corrective actions. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100 to receive selection priority. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.