Summary Who may apply: current permanent competitive service Federal Civilian Employees, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouses Preference (MSP), and PPP applicants; current Federal VRA Employees, eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan applicants (ICTAP). Responsibilities Serves as a senior-level labor specialist responsible for providing the full range of advisory services to federal agency supervisors, managers, and executives regarding agency-wide labor relations polices and procedures. Provides guidance for journey-level and developmental-level level labor relations specialists providing one-on-one and group training, and reviewing and editing work products. Serves as point of contact on labor-management matters regarding issues such as grievances, arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, information sharing, contract interpretation, and preparation and conduct of negotiations. Represents management in unfair labor practice (ULP), arbitration, and representation hearings and proceedings. Prepare and present management interests in response to union interests at the bargaining table which may have Agency wide impact on operations and/or employees. Develops and guides management in building cooperative, productive relationships with union representatives and leaders. Duties as described above reflect the full-performance level (GS-12) for this position. Duties assigned to entry grade of GS-11 will be developmental in nature. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications For GS-11 consideration, one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-09) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as advising and assisting management in responding to negotiated grievances; participate in or assist senior level specialists with meetings with labor and management officials such as committees or labor management forums; and interpreting and applying labor and employee relations case law, executive orders, regulations, policy and negotiated agreements in support of labor relations programs. For GS-12 consideration, one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-11) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience is defined as providing a range of advisory services to managers and supervisors regarding complex labor relations issues. Resume must illustrate experience in two or more of the following: notifying the union of local and agency-wide workplace changes in compliance with legal and contractual requirements; assisting management in responding to unfair labor practice allegations or grievances; participating as a part of a management team in negotiation of contracts or other union issues; representing or participating as a management representative in meetings with local or agency-wide labor management forums and other committees; interpreting and applying labor and employee relations case law, executive orders, regulations, policy, and negotiated agreements. Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. For GS-11 consideration, applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-09 or higher grade in Federal Service. For GS-12 consideration, applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in Federal Service. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Education GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). There is no substitution of education for Specialized Experience at the GS-12 grade level. Additional Information Position may be filled at the GS-11 or GS-12 level, full performance grade of GS-12. Moving expenses will be paid. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements. This is not a remote position. Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. A one year probationary or trial period may be required. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Occasional. This position is not covered by a bargaining unit. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.