HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE RELATIONS)

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, GS-0201 series. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-7: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the fundamental principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations; standardized research techniques; and analytical and problem-solving methods required to advise on and resolve moderately complex, non-controversial, well-precedented factual, procedural, and/or recurring issues; make informed judgments on problems and issues; and perform advisory services for problems of limited scope.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-9: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the fundamental principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations; standardized research techniques; and analytical and problem-solving methods required to advise on and resolve moderately complex, non-controversial, well precedented factual, procedural, and/or recurring issues; make informed judgments on problems and issues; and perform advisory services for problems of limited scope.

Knowledge of a wide range of evaluative techniques, standardized research techniques, and analytical and problem-solving methods in resolving common issues or problems. Knowledge of the analytical techniques involved in moderately complex, non-controversial, well-precedented, factual, procedural, or recurring situations/problems/cases and making clear explanations of the facts.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of a wide range of employee relations case law, principles, practices, legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to perform detailed analyses and draw defensible conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations; and advise managers regarding appropriate corrective techniques in response to a wide range of conduct and performance issues.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of performance appraisal and awards programs within a complex and/or large multi-mission organization sufficient to provide advisory services regarding performance issues, administer, and evaluate a comprehensive appraisal program, and ensure all regulatory requirements are met.

Knowledge of a wide range of employee relations principles, practices, and legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to advise on disciplinary and other corrective techniques that are responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems; explain rules and procedures which ensure employees understand their rights and obligations; and conduct in-depth analyses to determine underlying causes of conduct or performance problems.

OR EDUCATION GS-7: Successfully completed one full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position; or Superior Academic Achievement. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official transcripts.

EDUCATION GS-9: Successfully completed a master's 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. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official college transcripts.

EDUCATION GS-11: Successfully completed 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. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, major areas of study such as Human Resources, Organizational Management, Organizational Development, Program Management, or related field of study. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level.. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: GS-7 Knowledge of the fundamental principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations; standardized research techniques; and analytical and problem-solving methods required to advise on and resolve routine, non-controversial, well-precedented, factual, procedural, and/or recurring issues; make informed judgments on problems and issues; and perform advisory services for problems of limited scope.

Ability to analyze specific phases of common, well-precedented, and/or recurring cases or situations and to develop and prepare clear explanations of fact. Ability to select the appropriate basic, legal, and regulatory provisions applicable to each situation and locate appropriate and applicable precedents and legal documentation. Ability to interpret and analyze basic issues of fact and law. Ability to identify and analyze numerous facts and allegations to determine accuracy and applicability to the cases.

Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing. GS-9-11 Knowledge of the full range of employee relations concepts, case law, principles, practices, legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to perform analyses and draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations, and advise managers regarding appropriate corrective techniques in response to a range of conduct and performance issues.

Knowledge of Federal HR management functions, theories, and techniques and the basic relationships of various HR disciplines sufficient to advise management and employees regarding rules and procedures and their obligations and entitlements.

Knowledge of legal research methods, information-gathering techniques, and analytical capabilities sufficient to locate, interpret, and analyze for applicability and appropriateness, precedent and substantive decisions, and/or legal opinions that various courts and administrative bodies have rendered. Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques is sufficient to interact in highly-charged, emotional situations which may arise due to delicate or highly contested case matters and determinations.

Skill in gathering facts and using effective, analytical, and evaluative methods to accurately assess information and make sound decisions. Ability to communicate with others, both orally and in writing, sufficient to formulate and present arguments and advisory opinions and prepare case documents. .

Summary Continued: GS-7: Position will be developmental to GS-09 (9Q9G587) and then the target grade of GS-11 (9Q9G586). All training must be completed and regulatory requirements met prior to promotion. GS-9/GS-11: The primary purpose of this GS-09 and GS-11 position is to serve as a Human Resources (HR) Specialist in Employee Relations with responsibility for planning, developing, and carrying out the full range of employee relations advisory services for assigned organizations.

Duties GS-7: In training capacity, provides limited consultation, guidance, and assistance to management and employees on basic and routine employee relations subjects. Provides consultation and assistance on conduct-related issues having clearly established procedures. Participates in special assignments and projects. Prepares written correspondence and other documentation.

Duties GS 9-11: Provides Employee Relations assistance to managers for assigned organizations characterized by a wide range of occupations where work processes are mental, judgmental, involve public contact, or are coordinative in nature. Provides consultation and assistance on conduct-related issues. Advises managers and supervisors regarding appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques and the procedural and legal requirements for correcting conduct and administering disciplinary and adverse actions.

Manages assignments and/or projects. Administers one or more designated employee relations programs or subject areas such as the Performance Management Program, the Office of Workers' Compensation (OWCP) Program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Physically Restricted Program, Unemployment Compensation, Leave and Absences, Hours of Work, Labor Relations, etc. Prepares written correspondence and other documentation.