Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR)

Duties

***This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade levels, assignments are performed on a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11.***

The Human Resources Specialist serves under the direction of the Human Resources Officer or their designee in Human Resources Management Service.  

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

Providing complex advisory services essential to enable managers and supervisors properly plan, develop, organize, manage, and evaluate the employee relations program.Providing a wide range of advisory services to senior managers relative to disciplinary and adverse actions, grievances, appeals, unfair labor practices, contract violations, workforce/work environment factors. Guiding employees in resolving common work-related or personal problems. Assisting in the investigation of grievances and complaints.Preparing case-related agency briefs, position papers and third party appeals.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR)/#02976-0

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

GS-9 QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

Guiding employees in resolving primarily common work-related or personal problems.Providing managers and employees with information and information and interpretations of the organization's HR (Employee/Labor Relations) policies, procedures and guidelinesProviding advice regarding appropriate levels of discipline/adverse actions, and prepares disciplinary and adverse action, grievance, and appeal letters.Providing counseling to employees on complaints or inquiries.

OR

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-09 level. Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following:

a masters or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR  LL.B or J.D., if related.

Note: To be creditable, education must be directly related to the duties of this position.

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, only graduate education beyond the first year is creditable). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-09.

GS-11 QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

Developing complex proposals/plans for the employee relations program areas. Representing management in grievances, arbitration cases, and unfair employee practice and impasse hearings.Independently resolving difficult issues/problems requiring consideration of the total personnel management program.Assisting in the investigation of grievances and complaints, and is responsible for gathering and providing information requested as part of formal and informal EEO complaints.Investigating grievances on complex and/or far-reaching issues in the pre-litigation stage for possible settlement or withdrawal.

OR

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level. Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following:

a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

Note: To be creditable, education must be directly related to the duties of this position.

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, only graduate education beyond the second year is creditable). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11.

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; religions; 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.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.  You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.   If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with some carrying of light items such as computer reports, boxes and ledgers.

Time-in-grade: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level.

BENEFITS

VA offers a comprehensive benefits package. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered: http://www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/benefits/index.asp.

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies.  This position may be authorized for telework.  Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Other Information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. 

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave:  Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. 

Placement Policy:  The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion.  The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.  Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.