Summary This position serves as a Human Resources Specialist - Employee Relations (ER) in the Office of Human Resources, providing technical advice to management for both field and headquarters employee on a broad range of personnel management and ER functions. The employee is knowledgeable in many areas of ER. Responsibilities As a Human Resources Specialist (ER), you will: Provide technical advice and assistance to FHWA program managers on appropriate procedures, departmental and agency policies, and government regulations related to adverse and disciplinary actions. These areas include, but are not limited to employee misconduct, conflict of interest, grievances, performance issues, medical issues, leave administration, procedural questions, and legal/regulatory matters as they relate to personnel. Participate in the preparation of legal defenses to challenge those actions before such appellate bodies as the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Provide technical assistance in the areas of staffing, merit promotion, classification, pay administration, and performance management in conjunction with complex and controversial employee relations issues. Develop and defend the agency's position on these issues and is called upon to testify on its behalf. Advise management on issues related to discrimination complaints against the agency. Analyze allegations, investigative finding, management considerations of resolutions or reactions to complaints based on race, color, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, marital status, religion, and all protected categories. The ideal candidate is a Human Resources Specialist who has a broad range of experience in developing and effecting conduct and performance actions to include counseling managers, determining appropriate disciplinary penalties, composing written documents in support of identified actions, and identifying due process rights under applicable laws, policies and procedures. Additionally, the specialist will have experience researching and applying Federal laws, OPM, and other Federal regulations, policies and procedural requirements, relating to an employee relations management program. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. You must meet specialized experience to qualify. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT: Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience providing technical authoritative advice and training related to employee conduct; adverse action proceedings; performance management; application and interpretation of policies, procedures and regulations; and other related problems; discrimination complaints; grievances; performance and medical issues; leave administration or procedural and legal/regulatory matters relating to personnel; AND Experience working with Federal employee relations cases within an agency or equivalent level, including conduct and performance cases. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience providing technical authoritative advice and training related to employee conduct; adverse action proceedings; performance management; application and interpretation of policies, procedures, and regulations; and other related problems; discrimination complaints; grievances; performance and medical issues; leave administration or procedural and legal/regulatory matters relating to personnel; AND Experience working difficult and controversial Federal and/or private sector employee relations cases within an agency or equivalent level, including a broad range of conduct and performance cases. 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: Technical - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Interpersonal - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. Customer Service - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. For all types of consideration, 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, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.