Summary About the Position: An HR Specialist utilizes an expert level of knowledge and skill in applying the full range of HR methods, principles, practices and evaluative methodologies sufficient to advise on and/or resolve the full range of operational problems which range from recurring through complex and unprecedented. Responsibilities Responsibilities are at the full performance level, GS-12. Advise managers about appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems. Explain rules and procedures to employees and management to help them understand rights and obligations while maintaining and encouraging objectivity in situations that may be charged with emotion and involve assumptions. Conduct extensive probing and analysis to identify obscure or underlying causes of misconduct or poor performance while focusing managers and supervisors on all the processes of performance management. Advise managers about appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques that are responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems. Conduct studies to develop management interests and respond to union interests at the bargaining table. Represent management in unfair labor practice and representation hearings before the Federal Labor Relations Authority and in impasse proceedings before the Federal Services Impasses Panel. Communicate agency-wide labor relations policies and procedures to management and staff of the local organization or organizational segments serviced and relate existing precedents to the specific issue in justifying managements views. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army) Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) People with Disabilities, Schedule A Postal Service/Peace Corps and Other Unique Authorities Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) In order to qualify, you must meet the requirements described below. See Additional Information. GS-07 Specialized Experience (SE) One year which includes assisting with analyzing problems by researching data; planning and organizing work; communicating effectively both orally and in writing; and utilizing automated systems such as Microsoft Office. This definition is typical of work performed at the second lower grade position in the federal service (GS-05) OR Education (Edu) One full year of graduate level education with a major study in business administration or human resources OR Superior Academic Achievement Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/) OR Combination of Edu and Exp 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%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-09 SE One year which includes applying fundamental Human Resources Management methods and/or principals and/or practices in the Labor Management Employee Relations (LMER) specialization including: analyzing and advising on issues and/or problems; researching case law, advising management on a collective bargaining agreement or employee relations; processing disciplinary actions; and providing written and oral communication to customers and/or managers. This definition is typical of work performed at the second lower grade position in the federal service (GS-07) OR Edu Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Human Resources Management OR Combination of Edu and Exp 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%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages GS-11 SE One year which includes applying fundamental Human Resources Management methods and/or principals and/or practices in the Labor Management Employee Relations (LMER) specialization including: analyzing and advising on moderately complex or non-controversial issues and/or problems; researching case law, advising management on a collective bargaining agreement; drafting and processing disciplinary actions; and providing written and oral communication to customers and/or managers. This definition is typical of work performed at the second lower grade position in the federal service (GS-09) OR Edu Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Human Resources Management OR Combination of Edu and Exp 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%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages GS-12 SE One year which includes applying the full range of Human Resources Management advisory and technical services specific to Labor Management Employee Relations (LMER) including: advising and providing guidance on complex or unprecedented issues and/or problems; researching case law; negotiating collective bargaining agreements; advising management on collective bargaining agreements; interpreting and analyzing laws, regulations and policies; managing, advising, and processing disciplinary actions; and providing high level written and oral communication to customers and/or managers. This definition is typical of work performed at the next lower grade position in the federal service (GS-11) Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job at the GS-12 level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Employee Relations Labor Relations Oral Communication Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent Education FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Selection may be made at the GS-07, GS-09, GS-11 or GS-12 level. If selected at the GS-7, 9, or 11, noncompetitive promotion to the next grade level is authorized; pending time in grade requirements and demonstrated ability to perform at the next higher/target level grade duties. Time in Grade Requirement For GS-07 Level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the second lower grade or equivalent (GS-05). Time in Grade Requirement for GS-09 Level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07). Time in Grade Requirement for GS-11 Level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09). Time in Grade Requirement for the GS-12 Level: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11). Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct deposit of pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Career Program (CP) 10 - Human Resources position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary listed does not include locality pay; salary will be determined based on the location in which candidate is selected. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.