Human Resources Specialist (Empl Rel/Labor Rel)

Defense Commissary Agency•Fort Lee, VA

About The Position

Serves as a Human Resources Specialist in the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Employee Relations Division, specializing in employee relations and labor relations. Provides guidance and support on management-employee relations matters, including discipline, adverse actions, grievances, performance management, recognition, and employee counseling. Advises managers on Agency policies and a range of HR issues, including substance abuse, sexual harassment, work hours, working-condition changes, job stress, leave administration, and pay entitlements. Assists the Office of General Counsel with preparing and presenting cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board and in arbitration proceedings. Researches background information, prepares formal responses for disciplinary actions, and maintains complete and accurate case files supporting proposed or final actions. Develops or supports the development of management-employee relations programs and creates or revises Agency-wide policies, program guidance, and procedures. The position has promotion potential to a higher grade. Assignments become progressively more complex, and promotion may occur without further competition after the employee meets the next grade’s requirements and receives a supervisor’s recommendation; promotion is not guaranteed or automatic. At GS-09, duties are performed in a developmental capacity. The position is telework eligible at the discretion of the supervisor or Agency; it is not eligible for remote work. Overtime is occasional.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or nationality; proof of citizenship is required if selected.
Meet the minimum age requirement, generally 18 years.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
Successfully complete identity and employment eligibility verification through E-Verify.
Receive a favorable suitability or fitness determination following a background investigation; new federal employees will be fingerprinted.
Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.
May be subject to a probationary or trial period.
Direct deposit of pay is required.
For GS-09, qualifying experience includes assisting senior specialists with routine conduct, performance, and attendance matters; researching federal HR authorities and Agency policies; drafting routine counseling and case documents under close supervision; and supporting labor-relations activities with guidance. Alternatively, qualifying education may include a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
For GS-11, qualifying experience includes providing advisory support on routine employee- and labor-relations issues under guidance; researching relevant federal authorities; drafting disciplinary, grievance, and labor-relations documents for review; and supporting labor-management activities. Alternatively, qualifying education may include a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
For GS-12, qualifying experience includes expert guidance on complex employee- and labor-relations matters; fact-finding and analysis, including interviews and credibility assessments; representing management in third-party proceedings; and developing Agency-wide policies and bargaining strategies. Education cannot substitute for GS-12 experience.
Graduate education and experience may be combined to qualify at GS-09 and GS-11 under the stated rules; only graduate education exceeding the amount required for the next lower grade may be used for GS-11.
Current or former federal employees subject to time-in-grade requirements must have 52 weeks at or equivalent to GS-07 for GS-09, GS-09 for GS-11, or GS-11 for GS-12, and provide supporting documentation.
Current federal civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since selection for a non-temporary appointment through a competitive examination register or direct hire authority.
Submit transcripts and other documentation when using education to qualify or when education is required. Foreign education must have an appropriate equivalency evaluation.
Demonstrate the Employee Relations and Labor Relations competencies through the application assessment.
Occasional overtime may be required.
The position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
Must provide an application package and resume that substantiate qualifications and assessment responses.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and support on management-employee relations, including discipline, adverse actions, grievances, performance management, recognition, and employee counseling.
Advise managers on Agency policies and HR issues such as substance abuse, sexual harassment, work hours, working-condition changes, job stress, leave administration, and pay entitlements.
Assist the Office of General Counsel in preparing and presenting cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board and in arbitration proceedings.
Research background information, prepare formal responses for disciplinary actions, and maintain complete and accurate case files supporting proposed or final actions.
Develop or support management-employee relations programs and create or revise Agency-wide policies, program guidance, and procedures.
At GS-09, gather facts, organize case files, compile background information, research relevant authorities, draft routine documents, and support labor-relations activities under close supervision.
At GS-11, provide advisory support on routine employee- and labor-relations issues, draft documentation and correspondence, and support labor-management activities under guidance.
At GS-12, provide expert guidance on complex employee- and labor-relations matters, conduct fact-finding and analysis, represent management in third-party proceedings, and develop Agency-wide policies and bargaining strategies.