The Veterans Health Administration has adopted the HR Modernization and Shared Services Implementation which is a new model of organizing and consolidating essential Human Resource functions and services to the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) level. This improvement to HR service delivery will support the needs of the VISN's diverse workforce and the expectations of management related to the acquisition, compensation, retention and performance of staff.

Duties

This is not a remote position. Position is onsite in Leavenworth, KS or Topeka KS. Ad-hoc telework may be available. VISN 15 is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Major duties include but are not limited to: Provides administrative support by responding to questions, complaints, problems or situations, and providing explanations of HR policy in Employee and Labor Relations. Screens questions or complaints from employees and union inquiries by determining the nature and scope of the problem. Controls and responds to incoming and outgoing correspondence to determine priority and establish suspense dates as required. Refer to a supervisor or appropriate co- worker, and follow-up to ensure suspense dates are met. Responds to a variety of inquiries regarding program policy and procedures. Assists with the preparation of agency files for third-party appeals, including Merit Systems Protection Board appeals and Equal Employment Opportunity document requests and hearing files. Processes requests for assigned specialty areas that require knowledge of forms, authorities, action codes, regulatory authorities or additional pay systems, and employee categories (e.g. General Schedule, Federal Wage System, Senior Executive Service, Title 38, Hybrid Title 38, or other similar categories). Provides information and assistance to employees and supervisors based on interpretation of regulations and rules, and evaluates sensitive personnel issues and counsels employees on the requirements and repercussions of viable options. Assists on special projects by gathering and organizing data, identifying issues and discrepancies, formatting material, and recommending improvements and solutions. Assembles evidence files and obtains information from relevant sources necessary for the HR Specialist to determine appropriate guidance/advice to management. Provides technical guidance, information, and assistance for a variety of Employee Relations programs such as disciplinary actions, grievances, appeals, complaints, and drug testing. Guides supervisors to the appropriate HR Specialist for advice regarding compliance with bargaining unit agreements. Provides administrative assistance when conducting a demand to bargain discussion/negotiation with union representatives. Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, and other documents required to complete actions. Maintains and updates a variety of computerized databases, maintains statistical data necessary to comply with reporting requirements. Prepares and maintains records on all actions associated with Employee and Labor Relations. Maintains all electronic tracking mechanisms used within the program area. Processes and codes actions in HR Smart, documenting ER/LR actions. Informally resolves 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. 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Assistant (ER/LR)/PD99978S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/03/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4 grade level. For a GS-6 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5 grade level. For a GS-7 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6 grade level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-5 Specialized Experience: You must possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. In this particular position, examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Skill in using computer applications for functions such as word processing, spread sheets and database management Skill in time management, multi-tasking and organization Experience tracking, coordinating, updating, editing, compiling and maintaining files and records Communication and interpersonal relation skills sufficient to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers both verbally and in writing Substitution of Education for Experience: Successful completion a 4-year course of study above high school. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience are also qualifying. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. (Transcripts Required) To calculate, 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 grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. GS-6 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Assisting ER/LR staff in routine reports and correspondence to ensure program requirements are met, and maintaining files, databases, systems and correspondence for ER/LR staff to access when needed Providing basic technical assistance to employees/managers regarding the preparation of performance standards and evaluations Providing assistance to ER/LR staff in the administration and control of ER/LR programs such as awards, performance, competencies, disciplinary/adverse actions, leave administration, telework, reasonable accommodation, etc. Resolving basic problems pertaining to employees' conduct or dissatisfaction, poor work habits, tardiness, and absences Processing requests for changes in employees' tour of duty and requests for leave Preparing announcements to communicate program information, requirements and deadlines to employees There is no educational substitution for the GS-6 level. GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Providing routine assistance and support to ER/LR staff in the management of programs (e.g., employee/labor relations, performance/competencies, awards, disciplinary/adverse actions, leave administrations, benefits, and other related matters) Assisting ER/LR staff in the development and maintenance of reports, databases, correspondence, reports, and competencies to ensure it meets policies and requirements Assisting ER/LR staff by developing case files, drafts, evidence packages, and suspenses to ensure compliance with Master Agreements Providing accurate and current information to employees, supervisors, ER/LR staff and senior leadership on program requirements Preparing, proofreading, printing, and distributing necessary documents regarding disciplinary/adverse actions Resolving minor problems pertaining to employee issues concerning conduct, dissatisfaction, poor work habits, tardiness, and absences There is no educational substitution for the GS-7 level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsComputer SkillsCustomer ServiceTechnical Competence 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. Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary and requires sitting, walking, standing, bending, and/or carrying light items. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VHA VISN 15 Human Resources One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, Second Floor Kansas City, MO 64106-2149 US
• Name: Tonya Lovelace
• Phone: 316-469-0917
• Email: [email protected]