The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has adopted the HR Modernization and Shared Services Implementation, which is a new model of organizing and consolidating essential Human Resource (HR) functions and services to the VISN level. This streamlined and focused approach moves VHA forward in its continuum of providing comprehensive, compassionate, and coordinated care to Veterans.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through October 7, 2023. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Major duties include but are not limited to: Controls and responds to incoming and outgoing correspondence: determining priority, establishing suspense dates as required, referring to a supervisor or appropriate co- worker, and following-up to ensure suspense dates are met. Responds to a variety of inquiries regarding program policy and procedures. Takes a proactive approach to helping customers with problems and inquiries. Screens questions or complaints from employees and union inquiries by determining the nature and scope of the problem. Informally resolve issues that can be satisfied by an explanation of personnel policies, such as the difference between absences without leave and leave without pay, and refers significant problems with potential for formal grievances, appeals and/or other third- party complaints to the appropriate HR Specialists in these program areas. Provides information and assistance to employees and supervisors based on interpretation of regulations and rules. Provides administrative support by responding to questions, complaints, problems or situations, and providing explanations of HR policy in Employee and Labor Relations. Identifies relevant facts and issues, analyzes individual circumstances, interprets data to determine facts surrounding required actions, determines relevant guidance and procedures, prepares reports and recommends appropriate corrective actions commensurate with assignment. Assists HR Specialists on special projects by gathering and organizing data, identifying issues and discrepancies, formatting material, and recommending improvements and solutions. Develops presentations, reports and analyses, as needed. Assembles evidence files and obtains information from relevant sources necessary for the HR Specialist to determine appropriate guidance/advice to management. Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, and other documents required to complete actions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Relations/Labor Relations)/PD99978S Telework: ADHOC-May be authorized (Employees who Telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement). Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive: May be authorized (see above) Bargaining Unit Position: No Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 (Developmental): Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: applying basic principles and practices of HR; performing structured, entry-level work designed to develop broader and more in-depth knowledge; skill to perform higher-level assignments; communicating factual and procedural information clearly, orally and in writing; and gathering and analyzing basic facts and drawing conclusions. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have four (4) years of education above high school. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) to be creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One (1) full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to six (6) months of specialized experience. GS-06 (Developmental): Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: experience gained working in an office setting where the duties may involve: obtaining missing data from HR files or the appropriate office; assisting employees in preparing paperwork involving ER/LR issues; reviewing finished forms for completeness and adequacy; contacting individual employees or supervisors by telephone to resolve questions; providing information on ER/LR issues, processes and/or procedures. GS-07 (Full Performance): Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: assisting in the development and implementation of ER/LR policies, procedures, and methods; identifying and protecting information, personnel, property, facilities, operations, and materials; controlling and responding to incoming and outgoing correspondence: determining priority, establishing suspense dates as required, referring to a supervisor or appropriate coworker, and following up to ensure suspense dates are met; responding to a variety of inquiries regarding ER/LR policy and procedures; providing administrative support by responding to questions, complaints, problems or situations, and providing explanations of HR policy in Employee and Labor Relations; responding to inquiries on procedures for disciplinary actions, grievances, and appeals concerning timeliness, documentation, and signature requirements; and screening questions or complaints to accurately determine the nature or scope of the problem, resolving issues that can be satisfied by an explanation of HR policies. NOTE: Evidence of specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Please provide such documentation on resume. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 or GS-07 grade levels. 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: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. To combine education and experience: First, identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). 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-05. For example, an applicant who has 90 semester hours of undergraduate level education (i.e. 50% of undergraduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Analysis and Problem SolvingCommunicationEmployee Relations

Education

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.

Contacts

• Address VISN 23 VA Midwest Health Care Network 2805 DODD ROAD SUITE 250 EAGAN, MN 55121-2123 US
• Name: Sarah Drey
• Phone: 319-339-7047
• Email: [email protected]