VISN 22 - VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network is recruiting Human Resources Specialists (Employee & Labor Relations) for on-site ER/LR specialist. Excellent opportunity to relocate to the sunny areas of AZ because relocation funds are approved! The position is based at the following location: Tucson, AZ. This is NOT a remote position.

Duties

This position will focus on labor relations, fact finding/investigations, arbitration, training, and other face-to-face needs. Telework is available on an ad-hoc basis. Recruitment incentives are approved up to 20% for highly qualified applicants. Recent graduates from law school and other related graduate programs encouraged to apply! This is an excellent opportunity to enter federal employment in labor relations. Duties: Employee Relations - 60%Incumbent provides technical guidance, advice and counseling to management officials and supervisors to address issues with workforce-related conduct and performance. Advises on employee relation matters to include coordination and oversight of fact finding, technical advisor to investigation boards, contract/master agreement interpretation, state licensure reviews, Drug Free Workplace, and third-party hearing representation. Provides local training to supervisors. Represents management on labor topics to include issue grievances, demand to bargain, unfair labor practice, arbitration. Labor Relations - 40%Incumbent provides technical guidance, advice and counseling to management officials and supervisors on labor law and master agreement interpretation. Develops management strategies to respond to labor issues. Offers technical guidance, information and assistance to management and senior leadership officials on sensitive, serious, and controversial labor relations issues regarding employees in a wide variety of administrative and clinical occupations with substantial differences in working conditions, entitlement, and occupational practices and policies. Incumbent responds to issue grievances, demands to bargain, impasse proceedings, local bargaining, unfair labor practices, drug testing and related functions. Provides management with interpretation of policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements. Researches and interprets legal and regulatory program guidance, including case law, United States Code, Code of Federal Regulations, and VA Handbooks and Directives. The incumbent serves as subject matter expert regarding policies and procedures pertaining to Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) and Federal Services Impasses Panel (FSIP).Plans and implements actions to satisfy obligations to bargain in good faith, performs thorough analysis of policies and practices, and ensures that policies and practices promote partnering to prevent unfair labor practices. Negotiates local labor agreements and drafts memorandum of understanding. Represent management at arbitrations and in situations involving proceedings before other third-parties, as appropriate. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Tour of Duty may be negotiable upon selection) Telework: Yes upon Supervisor's discretion Virtual: This not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - up to 20% Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR)/PD99976A Physical Requirements: No special physical exertion is required. The work is primarily performed while sitting though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and occasional visits to activity work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. 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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Grade Level Requirements (GS-07): 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: Knowledge of a wide range of methods, principles, and practices commonly used in the employee and labor relations process; Knowledge of the occupational design of positions within assigned organizations sufficient to: Advise management officials on various types of actions and their appropriate application in both the competitive and excepted services; Advise on the procedural and regulatory requirements governing the employee and labor relations process; Develop plans of actions; Use a variety of standardized internal and external strategies to aid in advisement on labor, performance, or correction actions. OR; Education: 1 full year of progressively higher level graduate education OR; Bachelors degree with a designated Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) based on: Class Standing: Must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision. Grade-Point Average (GPA): Must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as computed based on 4 years of education, OR; 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the require courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. (NOTE: Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision). OR; Combination: a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 4 full years post high school. (Transcript documentation required). Grade Level Requirements (GS-09): Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 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: Knowledge of a wide range of methods, principles, and practices commonly used in the employee and labor relations process; Knowledge of or experience within an unionized organization sufficient to: Advise management officials on various types of employee management actions including leave management, performance management and discipline in a unionized work force; Advise on the procedural and regulatory requirements governing the employee and labor relations process; Interpret and analyze basic issues of fact and law and develop and prepare clear explanations of case facts; and Draft labor, performance, or corrective actions. OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such degree OR an LL.B. or J.D., if related. (Transcript documentation required).OR Combination: a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate level education. (Transcript documentation required). Grade Level Requirements (GS-11): Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 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: Skill in applying, laws, regulations, policies, collective bargaining agreements, and employee relation functions sufficient to: Provide comprehensive employee and labor relations services to include drafting all levels of discipline; Coordinate with and advise supervisors and managers on technical issues involving disciplinary, adverse and all other relevant corrective actions. Must possess knowledge of, and skill in applying, collective bargaining agreements and related principles, concepts, laws, regulations, techniques, and guidelines sufficient to support an organization's employee and labor relations program, including negotiation with labor representatives and representing management in arbitration or other discipline appeal forums; Provide training to other ELR employees and Supervisors on same. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such degree OR an LL.M., if related. (Transcript documentation required).OR Combination: a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 full years of graduate level education. (Transcript documentation required). ***QUALIFICAITONS CONTINUED BELOW*** 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.

Education

*** QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED***

Grade Level Requirements (GS-12):

• Criteria 1: Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Applies HR principles, concepts, laws, regulations, techniques, and guidelines sufficient to support HR programs;
  • Conduct analyses on a variety of complex issues utilizing research, interviews, and observations;
  • Determines appropriate actions required;
  • Ensures documents are processed within set time limits;
  • Knowledge of performance management concepts, principles and practices related to planning, monitoring, rating and rewarding employee performance. OR;
• Criteria 2: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 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:
  • Expert-level knowledge, skill in applying and analytical skill to advise management and employees on employee relations concepts, principles, practices, and case law (e.g., related to policy development, prohibited HR practices, and third-party powers and procedures);
  • Skill in researching case law, research complex facts in order to draw conclusions and solutions to complex legal issues, problems and situations;
  • Skill in applying the full range of labor relations theories, principles, methods and techniques to conduct studies for management and respond to union interests at the bargaining table;
  • Provide training and communication to management on agency-wide labor relations and employee relations policies and procedures;
  • Independently represent management in third-party proceedings;
  • Knowledge of how other government agencies' rules and regulations impact the Department of Veterans Affairs;
  • Skilled in fact-finding and investigation boards, interviewing, and case management techniques to advise on and/or conduct investigations;
  • Advise and provide technically accurate interpretations of local negotiated agreements and provisions to reconcile conflicting technical viewpoints;
  • Serve as principal point of contact on labor management matters of overall concern to established bargaining units at the local level.

There is no educational substitution at the GS-12 grade level.

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

(NOTE: Transcript is required if basing all or any part of education to qualify)

Contacts

• Address VHA VISN 22 Human Resources 300 OCEANGATE SUITE 700 LONG BEACH, CA 90802 US
• Name: Gursimran Kaur
• Phone: 6506946000
• Email: [email protected]